[Reid Kistler]

http://lifehacker.com/5600735/

"With all [the] video converting apps out there, it can get a bit overwhelming. Freemake combines almost everything you need into a clean, simple, one-stop-shop for all your video converting, editing, and burning needs . . . if you don't need a ton of control."

Lifehacker.com reports that Freemake Video Converter (Windows only) provides fewer options than Handbrake, but is easier to use, with a simple drag and drop interface. The "easier to use" part might be enough in itself to qualify Freemake as an attractive download, but it also has a companion application, Freemake Video Downloader, which is designed to help you obtain videos you might later wish to convert - and both products appear to be under active development, with multiple recent updates that add features and / or implement bug fixes.  (Note: While working on this post, I found that the Handbrake site was not available one evening. That proved temporary, but it might make Freemake an attractive download as a backup - while at the same time pointing out one of the dangers of relying upon freeware for anything beyond personal use.)

[Reid Kistler]

http://lifehacker.com/5600735/

"With all [the] video converting apps out there, it can get a bit overwhelming. Freemake combines almost everything you need into a clean, simple, one-stop-shop for all your video converting, editing, and burning needs . . . if you don't need a ton of control."

Lifehacker.com reports that Freemake Video Converter (Windows only) provides fewer options than Handbrake, but is easier to use, with a simple drag and drop interface. The "easier to use" part might be enough in itself to qualify Freemake as an attractive download, but it also has a companion application, Freemake Video Downloader, which is designed to help you obtain videos you might later wish to convert - and both products appear to be under active development, with multiple recent updates that add features and / or implement bug fixes.  (Note: While working on this post, I found that the Handbrake site was not available one evening. That proved temporary, but it might make Freemake an attractive download as a backup - while at the same time pointing out one of the dangers of relying upon freeware for anything beyond personal use.)

[ptyork]

Well, I just ran this on my DVD rip of Dune (1984), creating a full sized H.264 recording. Compared to Handbrake:

1) It took a bit longer, though it wasn't too bad.
2) It completely locks up the window during conversion, so the concept of queuing is flawed. You CAN add multiple DVD's to begin with, but you cannot add any more until after the encoding.
3) The resulting file was about 50% larger (1.14 vs. 1.7 GB).
4) The resulting file INCLUDED 2 hours and 14 minutes of black bars at the top and bottom AND left and right, creating a 640x480 (i.e., 4x3), slightly laterally squished movie. Top and bottom I get, but left and right?!? Handbrake is 720x272. Apparently, whatever the DVD reports (generally either 640x480 or 720x480), this is the output. No attempt to crop the letterboxing or even to interpret the anamorphic recordings. This is by far the worst offense and a complete and utter show stopper for anyone who rips movies.
5) The resulting video was choppy as hell, at least on my PC. The Handbrake version is butter.
6) Sound was about the same, I think. Everything else sucked so bad I didn't spend much time listening for subtle differences.
7) It is really crazy-easy to use, but I don't find Handbrake all that bad.
8) The interface is pretty darned pretty.

Anyway, one and a 5/6'ths thumbs down from me, FWIW. Only the interface is a winner, and it can't really be deemed a winner since it doesn't allow you to do some really core things. It has been installed and uninstalled in relatively quick succession.

What really needs to happen is for someone with design sense to plunk a for-dummies front end on top of Handbrake. It's not like it isn't 95% command-line anyway. 'Course, that's what needs to happen with 95% of all open-source projects, so what's new?

[Freemake]

Originally Posted by ptyork

Well, I just ran this on my DVD rip of Dune (1984), creating a full sized H.264 recording. Compared to Handbrake:

4) The resulting file INCLUDED 2 hours and 14 minutes of black bars at the top and bottom AND left and right, creating a 640x480 (i.e., 4x3), slightly laterally squished movie. Top and bottom I get, but left and right?!? Handbrake is 720x272. Apparently, whatever the DVD reports (generally either 640x480 or 720x480), this is the output. No attempt to crop the letterboxing or even to interpret the anamorphic recordings. This is by far the worst offense and a complete and utter show stopper for anyone who rips movies.
5) The resulting video was choppy as hell, at least on my PC. The Handbrake version is butter.

Hello,
thanks for reviewing our software. We would like to comment the points 4 and 5 of your list.
4) the program saves the original video aspect, therefore black bars are seen in the output video if they present in the input one.
5) what exactly do you mean by choppy? could you connect us via email (support@freemake.com). We would like to investigate this case. Perhaps, we'll need your input file for testing.

[Reid Kistler]

7) It is really crazy-easy to use, but I don't find Handbrake all that bad.
8) The interface is pretty darned pretty.


Wonder how Freemake would do with a less complex conversion task?

Ease of use counts for something - particularly for someone who simply wants to gather together short videos from various family members & turn out a Family Event DVD.

That is something we have done enough times that we now find ourselves being Asked to do: the next time someone tells us "Gee, we have a bunch of photos of videos of XYZ, would you put them together on a dvd for us?" will try to remember to give Freemake a go....

[Freemake]

Originally Posted by ptyork

Well, I just ran this on my DVD rip of Dune (1984), creating a full sized H.264 recording. Compared to Handbrake:

...
4) The resulting file INCLUDED 2 hours and 14 minutes of black bars at the top and bottom AND left and right, creating a 640x480 (i.e., 4x3), slightly laterally squished movie. Top and bottom I get, but left and right?!? Handbrake is 720x272. Apparently, whatever the DVD reports (generally either 640x480 or 720x480), this is the output. No attempt to crop the letterboxing or even to interpret the anamorphic recordings. This is by far the worst offense and a complete and utter show stopper for anyone who rips movies.
5) The resulting video was choppy as hell, at least on my PC. The Handbrake version is butter.
...

Hello ptyork,
thanks for the review. Could you be more specific about the point 5? What do you mean "choopy"? Could you contact me at "support@freemake.com"? We'll need your input file for testing.

As to black bars, they are seen in the output video if they are present in the input, the converter doesn't have the option of cropping yet.