Only MKV format available in HandBrake

Question

I am running Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 32 bit. I have installed HandBrake rev5474 (i686), which I believe is the latest, and the Ubuntu Restricted Extras. I am able to play DVDs via VLC but when it comes to ripping them, so that I can back them up to my Twonky media server, I have issues.

I launch HandBrake and find that the only format available for me to select is MKV.

When I used to run Handbrake on this machine while I was running Ubuntu 13.10 and lower I had no issues and **lots of formats (including MP4 which is what I'm really after) but since reformating and installing 14.04 I've had this issue.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Solution

This is Debian bug #695225 - No support for mp4 container in Handbrake. There is a PPA with a fixed version of Handbrake, see Handbrake Releases PPA. To enable it do:

sudo apt-get purge handbrake # remove any old versions
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stebbins/handbrake-releases
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install handbrake-gtk

---

To get the mp4 format to work you must go into preferences and disable the "ipod friendly mkv format" checkbox.

handbrake-gtk also available in apps.ubuntu

Comments

[Mitty]

Partially successful. With the necessary "sudo" I followed the code above but still only had MPV.

[Mitty]

I then removed all additional ppa:stebbins/handbrake-snapshot repositories (I had 3) via the Software & Updates GUI. I re-ran the last three commands but still on had MPV.

[Mitty]

Thank you. My way wasn't elegant and wouldn't have worked without your initial direction. I'm a bit worried that the code above didn't work cleanly and that this suggests that there are other underlying issues with my machine. Nevertheless I am extremely greatful. Thanks

[Pat]

I needed to add the repo, as given by bain, but needed to install "handbrake-gtk" instead of "handbrake".

[Admin]

handbrake-gtk also available in apps.ubuntu

[Jonathan Rogiest]

Using this answer I am only able to convert to mkv or m4v. Not mp4.

[jmiserez]

@JonathanRogiest Disable Preferences -> "Use iPod/iTunes friendly .m4v file extension for MP4"

[T.J. Crowder]

Astonishing that this workaround is still necessary.

[kerry]

I found simply renaming .m4v to mp4 and it works ok usually

[sudo]

m4v is the same thing as mp4, just different name.

[sudo]

This workaround is still necessary and still works in 2018. BTW, this seems to be a newer version of Handbrake, and you run with gbh instead of handbrake. Man I hate mkv. Has issues even in VLC sometimes, and nothing else supports it really.