Step-by-Step Guide to Transcode Videos Using HandBrake and VP9 Codec for Optimal Quality

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Handbrake VP9 Encoder - How to Use Handbrake to Convert MKV with VP9 Codec

HandBrake supports VP9 encoder. In this article we’ll show you how to decode VP9 videos and how to encode VP6 with HandBrake.

By Candice Liu ｜Last updated on Jan. 21, 2021

Recently, topics about Handbrake are increasingly fierce, among which the new support for VP9 encoder in Handbrake climbs to the top. Since non professionals or new comers have no idea about Handbrake VP9 profile, this article is aimed at explaining the Handbrake VP9 encoder, how to decode/encode VP9 in Handbrake with smaller size but better quality, and the related problems and solutions in encoding MKV VP9 codec with Handbrake.

Encode VP9 Video without Error - Try Handbrake Alternative

Decode/convert VP9 video to MP4, MKV, AVI, etc with 98% quality reserved;
Decode VP9 video to devices and webs, like iPhone, Android, YouTube, etc;
Encode any SD/HD (4k) to WebM VP8 for uploading to YouTube at fast speed;
Download VP9 codec videos from 1000+ video sharing sites.
No need to tweak parameter settings anymore and get smaller file size.

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Handbrake VP9 Encoder Review and What is VP9

Handbrake 1.0.0 was finally released on Christmas Eve after 13 years of development with a slew of amazing features, incl. add the support for MKV VP9 encoding via libvpx 1.5.0. VP9 is considered as the next-gen video compression format that is twice as efficient as VP8. More importantly, VP9, unlike H.265 (another 4K codec), is open and royalty-free. It halves the file size of 4K UHD, 1080p or 720p content yet remaining the quality the same as original, making it much easier for video transmission over slow connections.

VP9 now occupies very great proportion of YouTube videos. Plus, Chrome, Firefox and even Microsoft Edge implements WebM VP9 codec as well, owning to the high efficient video compression ratio. Like many other tools VLC 2.1.2, FFmpeg , SUPER, MPlayer, Libav, DirectShow Filters supporting VP9 encoding, Handbrake 1.0.0 finally infuses new MKV presets for VP9 video encoding and Opus audio encoding with libvpx. That means you can use Handbrake 1.0.0 to convert video with VP9.

Handbrake Tutorial: How to Set Handbrake for VP9 Videos in Smaller Size but Better Quality

By default, Handbrake 1.0.0 offers four MKV presets for VP9 at different resolutions and frame rates. You can directly choose the profile at your disposal. Follow the handbrake VP9 encoder guide below.

To get the default VP9 profile, please make sure to download and install Handbrake 1.0.0 released on Dec 24, 2016. You have to bear in mind the Handbrake 1.0.0 requires to delete the older version and download Microsoft.NET Framework 4.6. If not, a message will pop up asking you to install it.

Handbrake VP9 Encoder

Step 1: Launch Handbrake. Different from the previous edition, you can directly add a single file or a whole video folder at the left side and then wait for Handbrake scanning. Or just click the Source button to do so as before.

Step 2: Click Browse button to choose the destination where you want to save the file.

Step 3: Go to Presets - Matroska - VP9 MKV. Handbrake offers 4 presets for VP9 MKV at resolutions of 1080p, 720p, 576p and 480p. It’s at your disposal to choose to fit for your specific needs with balanced speed and file size, without needing to tweak the bit rate, resolution, codec, frame rate, etc. But you shall note that there is MKV VP9 encoding available.
Note: If you use Handbrake Mac version , please go to the Video Encoder to choose VP9 manually as there isn’t MKV VP9 preset in Handbrake Mac version.

Step 4: Tap the Start Encode button to begin VP9 encoding with Handbrake.

For experts at Handbrake who want a better image quality but smaller file size, you can additional go to Video on the main interface to tweak the parameter settings. Below are some suggestions before VP9 encoding in handbrake.

Framerate (FPS): Choose Same as source and check Variable Framerate as it uses available space more efficiently than CBR and outputs less artifacts in the video.
Quality: If you want to encode VP9 with smaller size, just lower the constant quality at below 22 as it will result in smaller size with acceptable quality. Or else, you can tweak the constant quality at 23 for balancing the quality and file size.
Optimise Video: Set the Encoder Preset in the middle of the bar. Typically, if you higher the setting, it will output higher quality but leads to longer encoding time.

Handbrake VP9 Encoder Problems When Encoding VP9 Codec

Acceptably, the default MKV preset ensures an easy encoding VP9 videos in Handbrake 1.0.0. However, there are still something wrong with Handbrake VP9 encoder, manifesting the following problems:

Handbrake VP9 encoder is still immature with many bugs. Tests show that Handbrake rips DVD to MKV VP9 only encoding part of MKV VP9 video during conversion and half crashes at 35% of DVD ripping. See how to solve “Handbrake doesn’t convert whole movie “ problem.
Users indicate that VP9 encoding on Handbrake is slow and takes 1h 40min as it only consumes a CPU utilization of about 55% based on a user feedback from Reddit.
Handbrake output videos in MP4 and MKV but only provides VP9 preset for MKV.
Though Handbrake 1.0.0 makes a big overhaul for its profiles, including Chromecast, Windows mobile, Xbox, Roku, Playstation, FireTV, Gmail, Android, etc, it still doesn’t makes good compatibility with the latest gadgets, e.g. iPhone 7, iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy S7, etc.

There are far more errors with Handbrake, such as no valid source found or title found during DVD ripping, audio and video out of sync , etc. So if the open-source Handbrake isn’t quite the best for VP9 video encoding, why not try a Handbrake VP9 encoder alternative?

Top Handbrake VP9 Encoder/Converter Alternative - No More Crash or Slow Encoding Speed

For an easy and fast HD video decoding and encoding, you can turn to MacX Video Converter Pro (windows version ) as the best Handbrake alternative. This tool outperforms Handbrake VP9 encoder lies in the following features:

Handbrake VP9 encoder alternative

No.1 fast speed: The unique support of Intel QSV makes it the world’s fastest VP9 video transcoder, up to 3-5x faster than Handbrake.
Easiness: There are only 3 steps needed for video encoding. And the 400+ preset profiles for mobiles, webs, video editing tools make it much easier than ever to encode and decode video. You don’t even need to tweak the parameter setting to balance the quality, size and speed.
370+ video/audio codecs: It is built in almost all video and audio codecs, supporting converting any videos you throw at it, e.g. VP9, VP8, HEVC, H264, AVCHD, MTS, WMV, MKV, etc.
VP9 video download: Built-in online video downloader, it can download VP9 videos as well as other videos in 4K, HD or SD from Facebook, Vimeo, etc.
Bonus: Add subtitles, watermark the VP9 video, trim/crop/erge video, record VP9 video, etc.

MacX Video Converter Pro is the best Handbrake VP9 encoder alterantive that promises you the most user friendly design and after-sale service. It gives you the No.1 fast video conversion speed and outputs high-quality image and sound.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Transcode Videos Using HandBrake and VP9 Codec for Optimal Quality