Using HandBrake (15 min guide):

  • Under Video tab:
  • Under Dimensions → uncheck “Optimal size” → set resolution to 1920x1080.
  • Click Start Encoding.
  • Monitor the timer – typical time for 90-min video: 14–19 minutes.

    • Result: An MP4 file with English subtitles permanently shown, playing on any device, 70% smaller than original.

    Best for: One-click presets with subtitle embedding.

    Why it’s fast: Supports Intel QuickSync, NVIDIA NVENC, AMD VCE.

    Steps for “better” conversion:

  • Under Subtitles:
  • Click Start – a 1-hour 1080p video typically converts in 12–18 minutes on mid-range hardware.
    • ffmpeg -i hsoda030engsub.mkv -map 0:s:0 original_subs.ass

    Let’s define “better” quantitatively for HSODA-030:

    | Metric | Original (Typical) | “Better” Converted | |--------|-------------------|----------------------| | File size | 3.2 GB | 600 MB – 1.2 GB | | Video codec | H.264 (AVC) | H.265 (HEVC) or AV1 | | Subtitle type | External .srt | Embedded or hardcoded English | | Playback compatibility | Limited (MKV) | Universal (MP4) | | Conversion time | N/A | < 21 minutes |

    Achieving “min better” = minimum time for maximum improvement.

    To hit under 21 minutes, follow these rules:

    Create a script better_convert.sh:

    #!/bin/bash
INPUT=$1
OUTPUT=$INPUT%.*_better.mp4
START=$(date +%s)

    ffmpeg -i "$INPUT" -c:v h264_nvenc -preset medium -cq 24 -c:a aac -b:a 160k -c:s mov_text -map 0 -movflags +faststart -y "$OUTPUT"
    

    END=$(date +%s)
DIFF=$((END - START))
echo "Conversion done in $DIFF seconds."
if [ $DIFF -le 1260 ]; then  # 21 minutes = 1260 seconds
echo "✅ Target achieved: under 21 minutes!"
else
echo "⚠️ Took longer than 21 minutes. Try -preset faster."
fi

    Run: ./better_convert.sh hsoda030engsub.mkv

    To convert HSODA-030 with English subtitles in under 21 minutes, you need hardware acceleration (GPU encoding) and efficient settings. Below are the top tools.