Converting Video Files: VLC vs. HandBrake – What’s the Difference?

When it comes to converting video files, many of us use tools like VLC and HandBrake. But are the results the same? Does a video converted from one tool match the other perfectly? Let’s dive into the differences between converting videos using VLC and HandBrake, and explore what happens when converting a .vob file to .m4v using VLC.

VLC vs. HandBrake: Which One Is Faster?

When you convert the same video using VLC and HandBrake, you’ll notice a significant difference in conversion time:

• VLC is faster. This is because it uses a more basic encoding process, which prioritizes speed over quality. While this makes VLC a great tool for quick conversions, it’s not as optimized for high-quality output.
• HandBrake, on the other hand, takes longer because it applies more advanced encoding techniques to produce higher-quality videos with better compression. HandBrake can take several minutes or even longer, depending on your settings and the complexity of the video, as it focuses on achieving the best quality-to-file-size ratio.

Why Is VLC Faster Than HandBrake?

1. Encoding vs. Transcoding
   VLC is often used for transcoding, which means it’s just changing the format without significantly altering the video’s quality. HandBrake does full encoding, optimizing the video for compression and quality, which takes more time.
2. Preset Optimization
   HandBrake offers several presets optimized for different types of video output. It can adjust settings for deinterlacing, motion estimation, B-frames, and multi-pass encoding, all of which take more time but improve the final quality. VLC’s settings aren’t as fine-tuned by default, which makes it faster but less efficient.
3. File Size and Compression
   HandBrake is designed to compress files efficiently, often resulting in smaller file sizes without compromising quality. VLC may produce larger files at similar or lower quality levels due to less efficient compression methods.
4. Hardware Acceleration
   VLC can utilize GPU-based encoding (like NVENC or QuickSync) if available, which speeds up the process. HandBrake also supports hardware acceleration, but by default, it uses CPU-based encoding, which can be slower.

Can VLC Convert a .VOB File to M4V and Keep the Quality?

If you’re converting a .vob file to .m4v using VLC, the result will be very close to the original, but not necessarily identical. Here’s why:

Codec and Encoding Differences

• .VOB files usually contain MPEG-2 video and AC3 audio. When converting to .m4v, VLC typically re-encodes the video using H.264 and the audio using AAC, which means the video codec and audio format change. Even if you use a similar codec, encoding settings (like bitrate and compression) might not be identical, leading to slight quality differences.

Quality Loss During Re-Encoding

Any time you re-encode a video, some level of quality loss can occur. Even though you may not notice it, compression artifacts and slightly reduced quality could appear, especially in complex scenes.

File Size and Compression

If VLC re-encodes the video, it might apply a different bitrate than the original, which could affect the final file size and quality. A lower bitrate may lead to a larger file with lower quality, while a higher bitrate might improve quality but result in a larger file size.

Subtitles and Extra Features

If the original .vob file has subtitles, extra audio tracks, or chapters, they might not be preserved during conversion. VLC’s handling of these extra features can be inconsistent, so be sure to check whether they’re carried over to the final .m4v file.

To Minimize Differences in Quality

If you want to minimize the loss in quality when converting with VLC:

• Use the same codec (like H.264 for both video and audio).
• Choose “direct stream copy” for the video and audio if you don’t want VLC to re-encode them.
• Select the same quality settings to ensure a similar result as the original.

Conclusion

While both VLC and HandBrake are excellent tools for converting videos, they serve different purposes:

• VLC is great for quick conversions but may compromise on quality, especially if you’re re-encoding video or audio.
• HandBrake focuses on high-quality encoding, which takes longer but results in more efficient compression and better visual output.

If you need fast conversion with minimal effort, VLC is your go-to tool. If you want better control over compression, file size, and video quality, HandBrake is the way to go.

When converting .vob files to .m4v, VLC will work, but keep in mind that it may not preserve the exact quality or additional features from the original video.