WatchFolder for HandBrake

WatchFolder for HandBrake is an application that monitors directories to autodetect and convert video files as soon as they're created, copied or moved there. It uses HandBrake and requires you to install it.

After a fast setup operation that shouldn't impose any difficulties, the tool gets integrated into the systray, starts the monitor, and provides you quick access to its configuration panel.

When it comes to looks, WatchFolder for HandBrake doesn't really put emphasis on graphical elements, preferring to focus on functionality instead. It has three tabs dedicated to general, post-task and iTunes settings.

You can indicate one or two directories to watch for video files, specify the saving folder for the converted items, move the files to yet another directory immediately afterward, run a program on task completion, as well as add the files to the iTunes media library automatically. The second watched folder, post-task and iTunes actions are optional.

You can select the preferred video file extension for the output between MP4, M4V and MKV, ask the utility to delete the source files after conversion, add metadata, set the HandBrake priority, specify a delay time for conversion, preserve the original folder structure, ignore M4V and MP4 files, rename TV shows, and use a folder.jpg if present.

WatchFolder for HandBrake contains several output presets ready for iPhone, iPhone 4, iPad and Apple TV devices, among others. It can also optimize the videos for the web and lets you create and save custom queries.

It carried out conversion tasks swiftly in our tests while remaining light on system resources consumption. We haven't encountered any stability issues. Thanks to its advanced settings, WatchFolder for HandBrake should meet the requirements of many experienced users looking to monitor and auto-convert videos.