HandBrake 0.8.5b1 Released

"I don't want to go on the cart! I feel fine. I... feel... happy!"

After a 14-month hiatus, a brand new development team, a project forked then unforked, and literally hundreds of revisions...

We are pleased to announce the release of HandBrake 0.8.5b1!

This new version of HandBrake encompasses everything that was in MediaFork 0.8.0b1 and much, much, much more.

Download HandBrake 0.8.5b1

• For Mac OS X (Graphical, 10.4 or newer)
• For Linux (Command-line)
• For Windows (Command-line)
• For Windows (Graphical)
• For Mac OS X (Command-line, 10.3.9 or newer)
• Source code

The complete change set is available and well worth a read (PDF), but here's a summary for the impatient:

• User presets (Mac)
• AppleTV and PS3 support
• Anamorphic, even in QuickTime
• Surround sound (both AAC 5.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II)
• Chapter markers (QuickTime-style)
• Official support for the Windows GUI
• PPC Linux support
• High profile H.264

A number of bugs have been fixed as well, including the restoration of multiple audio tracks. Still, keep in mind that this is a beta, and no particular level of stability or usability is guaranteed; don't delete your copy of HandBrake 0.7.1 just yet.

Following the release of MediaFork 0.8.0b1, we were overwhelmed by new users. Fortunately, with them came new coders! A year ago, there were 2 developers. Now, there are over a dozen. Thanks to this happy development, HandBrake's future is full and bright. So stay tuned: a second beta of 0.8.5 will follow this one, with a number of other exciting features.

A HandBrake and open source primer

For those itching for a new feature in HandBrake, I would strongly recommend you read this post prior to making the request. I think you'll find it helpful in learning about our project, and the open source culture in general. Please consider it a must-read prior to making any feature requests.

...and then there was one

I am proud to announce that HandBrake and MediaFork have now officially joined as one. Many thanks to titer and the entire MediaFork development and support staff for making this possible.

The next public beta release will be called HandBrake - most likely, version 0.9.0 beta 1 (reflecting the many new features that will be available). This is expected to be released in the next 2-3 weeks.

I would like to sincerely thank our developers, beta testers, support staff, Donovan at CityNet, and above all titer for all of the work they've done to make the transition possible. Thank you all very much!