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How-to guides · HandBrake

Select the required audio track and convert video with HandBrake

For the free and open source HandBrake desktop version. Each source has a different audio track, so check the language and content on the Audio tab instead of relying on presets.

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Select the required audio track and convert video with HandBrake overview: Determine source and playback compatibility, Choose audio track, Convert and listen to short ranges, Correct the selection and output the actual output
An overview of this guide’s steps and checks, not a screenshot of the app.

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

  • People who want to keep only Japanese audio from multilingual videos

What you need

  • Prepare a video with conversion privileges and sufficient free space.

Determine source and playback compatibility

Select the video under Open Source > File and check the title and length. If you want wide compatibility, use Presets like Fast 1080p30 as a starting point. Depending on the preset, the audio will be stereo, so decide on the final use first.

  1. Open video
  2. Check title and length
  3. Choose a preset that suits your needs

Choose audio track

Open the [Audio] tab, delete unnecessary automatically added lines, and select the desired audio such as Japanese from [Track]. If necessary, specify settings such as AAC, Stereo, 160kbps, etc. that match the playback destination. If the language display is Unknown, you can hear the content with a short preview.

  1. Open audio tab
  2. Select the desired source track
  3. Check codecs and mixes

Convert and listen to short ranges

Set [Range] to seconds or chapters, specify about one minute, set the destination to test-audio.mp4, and choose [Start Encode]. Play the converted video in a regular player and check the language, channel assignment, volume, and audio/video sync.

  1. Specify a short range
  2. encode with a different name
  3. Check audio content and synchronization

Correct the selection and output the actual output

If the voice is incorrect, reload the original video and change to another track under [Audio]. If you want to leave multiple voices, add a line, but check if it is possible to switch on the player side. The preset voice selection behavior can be set to language priority in [Selection behavior].

  1. Change to another track if necessary
  2. Add rows when holding multiple lines
  3. Output in full range

Limitations and requirements

  • We do not circumvent copyright protection and only handle materials that we have permission to transform.

Frequently asked questions

Even though I chose Japanese, there is an audio explanation.

Language tags alone cannot distinguish between the main story and the commentary. Give each track a short try and listen to it.

The original 5.1ch is now 2ch.

The selected preset or mixdown is Stereo. Check compatible containers and playback devices and choose Surround compatible settings or appropriate passthrough.

Official sources and verification date

Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.

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