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April 23, 2025

Screen Recordings Too Big? HandBrake to the Rescue

Learn how to compress and convert videos to MP4 easily with HandBrake, a free video converter. Quickly reduce file sizes of your screen recordings.

How to Use HandBrake – The Ultimate Free Video Converter for Compressing Screen Recordings

Screen recordings are a powerful way to create tutorials, report software issues, share gameplay, or record virtual meetings. But high-resolution recordings can eat up storage space and be a hassle to upload or share. That’s where HandBrake, a free, open-source video converter, comes in. This powerful tool helps you reduce file size without sacrificing much video quality, making it easier to manage, store, and share your content.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use HandBrake, step-by-step, to compress your videos using industry-best settings. Whether you want to convert MKV to MP4, adjust bitrate settings, or optimize for YouTube, this guide will walk you through everything.

🔍 Why Compress Video Files?

Before we dive into HandBrake, let’s explore the benefits of compressing your videos:

  • Easier Sharing: Compressed videos are easier to send via email, cloud drives, or chat apps.
  • Faster Uploads: Smaller files upload faster to platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.
  • More Storage Space: Reducing video file size helps free up valuable hard drive or cloud storage.
  • Improved Playback: Smaller files are less likely to lag or buffer, especially on mobile devices or slower networks.

⚙️ What is HandBrake?

HandBrake is a free video converter and compression tool available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports a wide range of input formats and allows you to convert videos to MP4, optimize them for various devices, and customize advanced encoding settings.

It’s particularly useful when you need a free MP4 converter or want to convert video to MP4 with fine control over resolution, framerate, and bitrate.

🎥 Built-in Export Options vs HandBrake

Many screen recording tools like Canvid allow you to adjust basic export settings (like resolution or format). These include:

  • Format: Export as MP4 — the most compatible format.
  • Frame Rate: 30 FPS (standard) or 60 FPS (for smoother motion).
  • Resolution: 720p, 1080p, 1440p, or 4K.
  • Quality Presets: Low to Ultra, which affect compression level and output size.

While these are useful, HandBrake offers deeper control, especially when working with pre-recorded files or targeting specific file sizes.

Here’s a quick guide to compress video files with HandBrake:


1. Download and Install HandBrake

  • Visit https://handbrake.fr.
  • Download the version for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  • Install and launch the app.

2. Open Your Video File

  • Click “Open Source”.
  • Select the video you want to compress (e.g., MKV, MP4, MOV).

3. Choose Output Format

  • Under the Summary tab, set the format to MP4.
  • Click Browse to choose where to save the compressed file.

4. Select a Video Codec

  • Go to the Video tab.
  • Choose:
    • H.264 (x264) – best for compatibility.
    • H.265 (x265) – smaller file sizes, but slower encoding.

5. Adjust Framerate

  • Set Framerate to 30 FPS (ideal for most screen recordings).
  • Enable Constant Framerate to prevent playback issues.

6. Set Compression Method

  • Use Constant Quality (CQ) mode and set RF to 22.
  • Alternatively, choose Average Bitrate (ABR) and enter a target bitrate (e.g., 1500 kbps).

7. Optimize Audio

  • In the Audio tab:
    • Choose AAC or MP3.
    • Set bitrate to 128 kbps.
    • Optionally, remove audio if it's unnecessary.

8. Resize Video (Optional)

  • Use the Dimensions tab to change resolution (e.g., 4K to 1080p).

9. Start Encoding

  • Click the Start Encode button.
  • HandBrake will compress and save your new video.

📌 Best HandBrake Settings for Smaller MP4 Files

Setting Recommended Value
Format MP4
Video Codec H.265
Framerate 30 FPS (Constant)
RF (Constant Quality) 22 (lower = higher quality)
Audio Codec AAC
Audio Bitrate 128 kbps
Resolution 1080p (or lower)

🔄 Real-World Scenarios

📧 Compressing a Tutorial for Email

A 30-minute screen tutorial recorded in full HD can be over 1 GB. Using HandBrake with H.264, 720p, and RF 22, you can compress it to around 300 MB—perfect for email or Google Drive sharing.

🎮 Uploading 4K Gameplay to YouTube

You’ve got a 6 GB 4K gameplay recording. By switching to H.265, reducing to 1080p, and setting bitrate to 4000 kbps, you can reduce the size to 1.5 GB without losing too much quality.

🧪 Compressing a 10-Hour Desktop Recording Into a 100MB File

Imagine you accidentally left your screen recorder running during an entire 10-hour workday, capturing every window, mouse movement, and idle moment in full 1080p at 60 FPS. The file size? A massive 40 GB.

With HandBrake, you can do something surprisingly extreme:

  • Lower the framerate to 5 FPS – ideal for a time-lapse effect of static screen activity.
  • Downscale resolution from 1080p to 720p.
  • Use the H.265 (x265) codec for maximum compression.
  • Set RF to 30 – aggressive compression, still viewable for basic desktop activity.
  • Remove audio – no one wants to hear 10 hours of clicking and keyboard noise.

✅ Result: Shrink a 40 GB file down to 100–150 MB, creating a lightweight time-lapse-style video of your entire workday—great for quick reviews or fun productivity recaps.

💡 Final Tips for Effective Video Compression

  • Stick to 30 FPS for tutorials or low-motion content.
  • Downscale to 1080p unless you're specifically targeting 4K playback.
  • Use H.264 + RF 22 + 128 kbps audio for a reliable, all-around setup.
  • Experiment with settings on short clips before encoding full-length videos.

📌 Conclusion

Whether you’re a content creator, teacher, gamer, or developer, reducing video file size is essential. HandBrake, one of the best free video converters, gives you full control over how your videos are compressed and exported.

Ready to take control of your video files? Download HandBrake and try it for yourself.

🔗 Additional Resources

Need More Options? Explore These Open Source Video Converters

If you're looking to convert videos efficiently without spending a penny, several excellent open-source tools are available. Here are three reliable video converters that can handle various formats with ease:

  • VLC Media Player:
    While best known as a versatile media player, VLC also includes a robust video conversion feature, supporting nearly all video formats on multiple platforms.
  • FFmpeg:
    A powerful command-line converter widely used by video professionals and enthusiasts. It supports countless formats and provides precise control for advanced users.