HandBrake, the multithreaded DVD to MPEG-4 ripper/converter, has been updated for Mac OS X and Windows. The new version, HandBrake v.09, features a redesigned interface on both platforms with the Windows version featuring a complete, ground-up rewrite. Curiously missing from the update is any mention of the Linux version, which appears to still be stuck at v.08.

HandBrake's specialty is one-click conversion of DVDs to iPod and AppleTV compatible formats like MPEG4. 

Other changes [listed on the HandBrake site][3] include:

>*	User experience is improved through a re-envisioned Mac interface and a Windows interface that’s been rebuilt from the ground up.
*	Picture quality is improved through better image scaling, better deinterlacing, new filters for denoising, deblocking, inverse telecine, and new presets devoted to high quality settings.
*	Speed improvements due to updated copies of x264 and ffmpeg. This includes improved multi-threaded encoding for the iPod.
*	Compatibility is improved through new presets for devices like the iPhone and PSP. As well, HandBrake now supports DTS as an audio source and has limited support for .VOB and .TS file containers as input. Most excitingly, HandBrake can now output to the Matroska (MKV) file container.
*	Stability has been improved due to countless bug fixes. (Including audio drop and mp2 issues). HandBrake also has optional support for MP4 files larger than 4 gigabytes.
    
For complete details about all the changes, see the [HandBrake Timeline][1].



HandBrake is indispensable for the heavy iPod video user and the update adds some welcome features in addition to those listed above. Particularly nice is a ability to set a default preset, which means you can set up your preferred conversion preferences and HandBrake will automatically apply them the next time you rip a movie.

HandBrake is a must have for iPod video and AppleTV fans and the new update brings more the enough improvements -- recommended for all users, grab it from the [HandBrake site][2].

[1]: http://HandBrake.m0k.org/trac/timeline?from=08%2F19%2F07&daysback=120&changeset=on&update=Update
[2]: http://handbrake.m0k.org/?page_id=8
[3]: http://handbrake.m0k.org/?p=53