HandBrake Tutorial: How to Convert MKV/VOB/DVD to AVI

When you just downloaded the newest HandBrake, and want to convert MKV to AVI HandBrake style, you look at the format list, and... wait. Where is AVI? It is just not there. Even if you pull your hair out trying to find a hidden setting, you find nothing.

Here is the truth: HandBrake kicked AVI out a long time ago. Modern HandBrake only makes MP4, MKV, and WebM. But do not worry. We will show you why they dropped it, and how to force HandBrake convert to AVI by using an ancient version. Finally, we will share the modern alternative tool we actually use in our office today to save time.

How We Tested HandBrake AVI Conversion (and Our Honest Thoughts)

Before we wrote this guide, we wanted to see if the old HandBrake AVI trick still works today. We did not just guess. We installed the old HandBrake 0.9.3 and the newest HandBrake 1.8 on our Windows 11 PCs. We threw big MKV movies, old DVD rips, and VOB files at them. Here is what we found in our test:

• • Speed: The old HandBrake is slow. Really slow. It took forever to finish one video.
• • Errors: We got the HandBrake no valid source found error a lot. It happens often on modern computers. For Windows 11, HandBrake won’t open or exit at some time.
• • Quality: The old AVI video looks a bit blocky and bad on big screens today.
• • The Fix: We also tested AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. We wanted to see if a modern tool does it better. Spoiler alert: it does. It never crashed and finished the job super fast.

Quick Verdict: HandBrake vs. AnyMP4

Why HandBrake No Longer Supports AVI

We see a lot of people asking why HandBrake is not supported AVI anymore. Here is the short answer: the AVI format is just too old. HandBrake dropped it after version 0.9.3 way back in 2008. Let’s be real for a second. We hate it when our favorite tools remove good features. It is super frustrating. But the team behind HandBrake had to do it. The old AVI code was a mess. It could not handle new HD video formats. So, they dumped it to make the app run faster and crash less. Today, modern HandBrake only lets you save as MP4, MKV, or WebM.

How to Convert DVD, MKV, MP4, or VOB to AVI (The Old HandBrake Method)

STOP AND READ: This method uses HandBrake 0.9.3 from 2008. We do not recommend this for modern PCs. It crashes a lot and has zero security updates. If you want a fast, safe way, skip down to our modern AnyMP4 guide. If you still want to try the old way, here is how we did it in our test. It works for both DVDs and digital files.

1. Download the old app safely

You cannot get this old version from the official HandBrake site anymore. We got ours from a safe archive site called VideoHelp.

2. Load your DVD or video

Install the software and open it. Click the Source button at the top left.

• • If you have a DVD: Pick your DVD drive. (Note: You must install an extra file called libdvdcss first, or you will get the ‘HandBrake no valid source’ error).
• • If you have an MKV, MP4 or VOB: Pick Video File and find the video on your computer.

3. Pick the AVI format

Look down at the Output Settings box. Click the format list. You will finally see AVI File here. Pick it. We suggest leaving the video size alone so the app does not freeze.

4. Convert DVD/Video to AVI in HandBrake

Hit the big Start button at the top. Now, go make a sandwich. This old app takes a very long time. Also, if you try to convert MKV to AVI in HandBrake with a huge movie file, the app might just close by itself. If it fails, you really need a newer tool.

The Modern Solution: AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate

Let’s be honest. Nobody wants to use a buggy 2008 app today. We just want our AVI files fast. That is why our office uses AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. It is the best HandBrake-to-AVI alternative we have tested. It runs perfectly on Windows 11 and modern Macs. Why do we actually like it better than HandBrake? Here are the main reasons:

• • It supports over 500 formats: Whether you need to rip an old DVD or just do a quick MP4 to AVI, it works.
• • It is crazy fast: It uses your new graphics card to run 70x faster. The old HandBrake cannot do that.
• • Zero crashes: Big movie files will not freeze this app.
• • Smart codecs: It uses modern AVI H.264 and XviD DivX automatically to keep your video looking crisp.
• • Bonus tools: You can compress large AVI files, edit video clips, or batch convert easily.

Here is how easy it is to use (and why it beats the old way):

1. Add your video

Unlike the old HandBrake where you have to click through folders and wait for it to scan, here you just drag and drop. Grab your MKV, VOB, or MP4 file and drop it right into the middle of the screen. Got a whole TV show? Drop the whole folder to batch convert them at once.

2. Pick AVI output

Click the Output Format menu on the bottom-left corner. Pick Video, then click AVI. That is it.

You do not have to tweak bitrates or worry about breaking the file like you do in HandBrake. Just pick the HD 1080p profile and let the app do the hard work.

3. Convert video to AVI

Click the big Convert All button. To speed up the conversion process, you can enable GPU acceleration at the top-right corner.

Remember that annoying ‘HandBrake no valid source’ error from the old method? You will never see it here. You can actually sit and watch the progress bar zoom across the screen instead of going away to make a sandwich.

FAQs About HandBrake AVI

Conclusion

That is everything you need to know about converting to AVI files in HandBrake today. If you have a super old PC from 15 years ago, that 2008 HandBrake trick might be fun to try. But for the rest of us on modern computers, just grab AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. It is the fastest way to get your video ready without pulling your hair out.