Use Handbrake to reduce video to a specific file size

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laganbailey
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri May 20, 2022 1:40 am

Use Handbrake to reduce video to a specific file size

Post by laganbailey »

Description of problem or question:

How Do I use Handbrake to reduce video to a specific file size?
I used Handbrake many years ago... I'm sure this was an option.
(Or maybe I'm confused with another program!!)

I've got a video file that is 2.5GB.
I need to get to be 500MB or less.
I've run handbrake twice now. First time I got 1.2GB. Next time 525MB.

An alternative would be to get an estimation of file size? Maybe if there was a counter running that told you of the predicted file size, that would be helpful. Not sure if this would be possible - since the beginning could be few graphics and moving objects, whereas in the 2nd half could be explosions of stars and loads of other graphics?

Operating system and version (e.g., Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Windows 10 Creators Update): Windows 10

Thanks
mduell
Veteran User
Posts: 8187
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:54 pm

Re: Use Handbrake to reduce video to a specific file size

Post by mduell »

Convert your target to kilobits (500 * 8000) and divide by the length of the video in seconds, subtract off the audio bitrate, and that's your target video bitrate to put in.
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