Digital Home Thoughts: Handbrake Video Encoder Guide

"Whether you own an iPod touch, Zune HD, Nintendo DSi, or any number of other portable devices, there's one tool that makes easy work out of ripping DVDs and converting incompatible video files into manageable formats: Handbrake. This wonderful utility has just about everything you could ask for, including robust compatibility, a slick interface, and snappy performance. And if that weren't enough, the developers have chosen to give the program away for free, no strings (or trialware) attached."

Paul Lilly, at MaximumPC, has written a detailed "Power User's Guide" for HandBrake, a powerful video transcoder which is available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. The emphasis is on converting video for use on various portable devices, and there appears to be a lot to like about the application, beyond its being available at no cost. For one, the developers present a keen sense of humor, using a pineapple and a cocktail (Pina Colada?) glass as their logo, and promoting their application as coming "with 21 essential vitamins and minerals!" There is also an active support and discussion forum, as well as available documentation. Find myself tempted to run out and buy a suitable device simply in order to give this application a try!