'Ripping DVDs to MP4 format and decoding. Looking for help...I have no experience in this at all.'
Here, let's see how to rip DVD on Mac with this free DVD ripper. Steps on how to rip DVD to Mac with DVDFab DVD Ripper: Follow the steps below and you will find this DVD ripping software is the best way to rip DVD Mac. It is easy-to-use and virus-free. Freemake Video Converter supports a wide range of formats such as MP4, AVI, MKV, DVD, FLV, MOV, RM, MTS, TS, etc. It can be used to convert WAV to MP4, MKV to MP4, WMV to MP3, MOV to MP4, FLV to MP4 and so on. What’s more, this tool not only lets you convert videos to other formats but also allows you to do some basic editing.
While Netflix and YouTube might be your main source for entertainment now, old-style DVD disc never disappears. Whether you have a box set or a ton of DVDs, be them homemade or commercial, better extract the DVD media content to save into MP4 or other digital formats, for more flexible options of watching, or just in case they get broken or lost.
When it comes to DVD backup, MP4 is always preferred as the first choice. Why is that? Simply put, converting DVD to MP4 ensures the best balance between video quality and file size, which should cover most people's needs. But how to convert DVD to MP4 for free? We find 5 best ways for you.
Click the links below to jum to the part you are most interested in.
- Part 1: Convert DVD to MP4 with VideoProc Converter
- Part 2: Convert DVD to MP4 with HandBrake
- Part 3: Convert DVD to MP4 with VLC
- Part 4: Convert DVD to MP4 with MakeMKV
- Part 5: Convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player
- Part 6: FAQs
Part 1 - Convert DVD to MP4 with VideoProc Converter
The predecessor of VideoProc Converter is a DVD ripper software. You can surely rely on VideoProc Converter for DVD to MP4 conversion.
- • It offers the fastest solution for you to convert a DVD on Windows and macOS, making full use of hardware acceleration.
- • It supports any DVDs, including 99-title DVDs, region-locked DVDs, Disney DVDs, latest movie DVDs and workout DVDs.
- • It can directly convert DVDs to MP4 H264, HEVC, ISO image, MPEG, MKV, AVI, or MP4 for iPhone, Android, YouTube, etc.
- • It allows you to edit the converted DVD video such as to rotate, cut, crop, add/change subtitles, add watermark, and change speed.
- • You have full control over the settings of codecs, frame rates, resolutions, aspect ratio, bit rate, etc. to balance quality and file size.
Now, way more than that, VideoProc Converter is a hardware-accelerated comprehensive video processing tool that allows you to tackle with media files like DVDs, videos, audios and YouTube links. You can also edit, compress, download and record videos at one go.
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How to Convert DVD to MP4 with VideoProc Converter?
Step 1: Open VideoProc Converter and get into VideoPro - DVD center.
Step 2: Click DVD Disc to load the content.
Step 3: Move down to Target Format and choose MP4 h.264.
Step 4: Set an output folder and press button RUN to copy DVD to computer.
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Part 2 - Convert DVD to MP4 with HandBrake
Handbrake is an FFmpeg-based open-source media converter. This free DVD ripper has hardly any features missing compared to commercial converters. It's an 80s-style interface with difficult video jargons often put a rookie even off. However, the fact is you will be hard-pressed to find any free or paid converter more versatile and powerful converter than Handbrake.
Can Handbrake convert DVD to MP4?
Handbrake allows you to rip DVD or Blu-ray Discs into MP4 or MKV files for digital use. It offers myriad of settings for output parameters including video/audio encoding modes, partition types, resolutions, bitrate, frame rate, languages, subtitles, filters and more. Those options may easily get beginners baffled, but are very useful for experts who want full control over the output digital file.
How to Convert DVD to MP4 with Handbrake?
Step 1: Choose the DVD file
After launching Handbrake on our computer, it will automatically detect the DVD driver that already installed on your computer. Click the target DVD driver on the section of Source Selection.
Step 2: Select the seasons you need to convert.
Go to the drop-down of Title. You are going to see many clips with different lengths. If you are holding a movie disc, then the clip that comes with the longest duration would be the main movie.
Step 3: Adjust the output settings.
- Go to the right of this panel, scroll down to find Normal on the section of Legacy and select it. You can choose other presets as you like.
- Go to Output settings, and select MP4 as the output container.
- Click Filters. There you need to set Decomb for Deinterlace and Fast for Interlace Detection.
- Click Video, and set Constant Framerate.
Step 4: Click Browse to set a destination file folder. Click the green Start Encode button. Now handbrake starts to rip DVD to MP4.
Why won't handbrake rip my DVD to MP4?
Check your discs at the first place. There shouldn't be any scratches or visible gray or Handbrake won't read the discs directly. If the error still exists, then the problem might be:
1. The DVD you are converting comes with copy protection.
Handbrake can't decode any encrypted DVDs or Blu-ray discs on its own. There are chances you can walk it through by installing the Libdvdcss file on your computer, but the effect is hard to be guaranteed. You are more suggested to use a commercial DVD ripper to convert encrypted discs to MP4.
2. Your CPU or RAM is out of usage.
It is a long and labor-intensive process to decoding and encoding the large DVD movies with Handbrake. Our computer needs to assign as much as CPU resource to Handbrake to make sure it works properly. That is to say, don't load any additional tasks when using Handbrake to convert DVD to MP4, or the app would fail to work.
Part 3 - Convert DVD to MP4 with VLC
VLC Media Player is best known as a versatile multi-media player which basically can play almost all sorts of video and audio (DVD files, MOV, AVI, MP4, MKV, WMA, MP3, WAV, and many more) that on our computers without extra codecs installed. But few people know it's also an inclusive and robust video converter and DVD ripper that is capable to flawlessly convert DVD to MP4 on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Can VLC convert DVD to MP4?
VLC can convert unencrypted DVD, Blu-ray, Audio DVD, and SVCD/VCD to MP4 as well as TS, WebMD formats in a relatively easy manner. It comes with full sets of controls on the generated video that allow users to adjust the encoding parameters, resolutions, filters, frame rate, etc.
How to Convert DVD to MP4 with VLC?
Step 1: Select the target DVD
Go to media > Convert/Save, and then choose Disc.
Click Browse to select the target Disc device
Step 2: Select the copy content
By default, the option of No disc menus should be ticked. You can untick that option to rip DVD with the menu.
Step 3: Convert DVD to MP4
Click Convert/Save in the bottom of the left corner to open up a new panel. In the section of Settings, you can find Profile. Select Video – H.265 + MP3(MP4), or H.264 + MP3(MP4) as the formats since you need MP4 output.
Step 4: Choose an easy to be found folder as the destination output file folder. Click Start and VLC will start to rip DVD to MP4.
How to Fix No Sound When Converting DVD to MP4 Using VLC?
1. Stick on the VLC default setting for output format (H.264/H.265 + MP3). The audio codec you select on VLC doesn't support the MP4 container. MP4 is not capable of supporting all sorts of audios, as like, it can't go with PCM, WMA, G.728, and partially support Vorbis and FLAC audio codec.
2. Make the original audio sample rate matches the generated file. The generated MP4 video won't come with an audio stream if the sample rate setting for the audio file doesn't match the source information.
Part 4 - Convert DVD to MP4 with MakeMKV
MakeMKV is one of the most popular DVD digitalizing tools in the market. It can instantly read and convert DVD and Blu-ray discs protected by the latest versions of AACS and BD+. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Moreover, its beta version is now free with all features included.
Can MakeMKV convert DVD to MP4?
MakeMKV was born to DVD digitalization, but it only converts DVDs to MKV files which are not well supported by many players. If you want a better-supported MP4 copy of your DVD, then you have to re-convert it with other video converters or transcoders.
How to convert DVD to MP4 with MakeMKV?
MakeMKV is a light-weight and free DVD converter that reads and converts DVD quickly. But just like others, it takes much time in the converting process. Now follow the steps to convert DVD to MKV in 5 steps, and just wait for exported movie.
Step 1: Insert the DVD that you want to convert.
Step 2: Launch MakeMKV, and select the drive with the disc in it.
Step 3: Click the big disk button in the center of the UI, and the software will start to read the disc.
Step 4: Tick the title that you want to convert (usually the one in the biggest size), and choose an output folder.
Step 5: Hit Make MKV, and it will start the conversion.
MakeMKV preserves the best video quality, all video and audio tracks, and chapter information, and at the same time, the final video will remain the original size which a two-hour movie DVD will reach up to 5+GB. If you have limited storage, then you should consider some tools that can highly compress DVD videos.
Part 5 - Convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player, also called WMP, is a media player and media library utility on Windows 7/8.1/10. It enables Windows users to play, store and organize (including easy edits) video/audio files as well as images. It supports a wide range of media formats, such as MP4, AVI, WMV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, etc.
Can Windows Media Player convert DVD to MP4?
Windows Media Player can't convert DVD to MP4. All versions of WMP are not capable of converting DVD to MP4 due to the copy protection issue. On Windows 10, Microsoft removed DVD playback utility from Windows Media Player. You are not allowed to play nor copy DVDs with Windows Media Player since then.
Convert Dvd To Mp4 Free Mac
How to convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player?
Since it's no way to convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player, though you can find many so-called guides on how to convert DVD to MP4 with WMP, they usually end up with a tutorial of other software, or other functions of WMP, e.g. convert CD to MP3 on Windows 7.
DVD to MP4 FAQs
Is converting DVD to MP4 legal?
Generally speaking, backup any content with copyright for infringing purposes like commercial redistribution, whether you own it legally or not, is illegal. But when it comes to converting DVD to MP4 for personal use, things are different from country to country.
- United States: According to Title 17 of the United States Code, it is illegal to copy protected DVDs without the consent of owners. But there is no clear statement for non-commercial use. So if you really need to backup media, convert DVD to MP4 for personal use only.
- United Kingdom: people who own the DVD can legally backup the DVD.
- Japan: DVD backup became illegal since October 1, 2012.
- German: Circumventing the copy protection is illegal, but you are allowed to convert DVD to MP4 for personal use.
What is the fastest way to convert a DVD to MP4?
- Run the DVD to MP4 conversion on a high-end computer.
- External DVD drive would help speed up your DVD backup a bit.
- Convert DVD to MP4 with GPU acceleration enabled to maximize the use of your engine.
- Use DVD to MP4 converter software that is able to deal with copy protections like CSS or 99 titles, or you will get stuck at the first decoding step forever. VideoProc Converter and WinX DVD Ripper are two good options.
Free Download VideoProc Converter to Convert DVD to MP4 on Windows 10/Mac
How to Rip DVD to MP4 in best quality?
- Convert DVD to MP4 HEVC instead of MP4 H.264. Same file size but better quality.
- Keep the original video resolution. Better not upscale or compress the video.
- Don't lower the frame rate unless you have to. Being fluency is another kind of good quality.
- Do some simple editing like stabilization, if your video turns out to be shaky.
- As to bit rate, VBR or ABR should be more preferred than CBR. And before reaching to a certain level, the higher the value of bit rate, the higher the quality of video.
How long does it take to convert a DVD into MP4 H.264?
It depends. If you use a DVD to MP4 converter that supports hardware acceleration like VideoProc Converter, about 8 to 12 minutes should be enough to complete the backup of a DVD of two hours or so. When using software encoding only, converting a 120-min DVD to MP4 on Intel Core i7-8700K might take you 20 to 40 minutes, or even longer.
We've singled out the best 3 free Mac-compatible DVD to MP4 converters, namely MacX DVD Ripper Free, HandBrake, and iSuper DVD Ripper. Read our reviews and find a favorite tool to use.
Want to convert DVD to MP4 on Mac for free for later tranferring to iPhone, iPad, Android, or disc-free Xbox One S? Congratulations, you're in the right place where you can find the best 3 free DVD to MP4 converters for macOS Big Sur and earlier.
Now, let's check the specific details of these Mac DVD rippers on aspects of ripping function, output quality, ripping speed, DVD decryption capability, etc., with a desire to help you single out the most suitable tool.
Best 3 Free DVD to MP4 Converters for Mac
Convert Dvds To Mp4 Software
MacX DVD Ripper Free
MacX DVD Ripper Free is the one in a million in the current Mac DVD ripper freeware market. It can free convert DVD to MP4, MOV, M4V, H264, H265, Apple TV, iTunes, MP3, ACC and more such that playing back DVD content on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, iMovie, Xbox One S, PS5/4, Android, NAS just like takes candy from a baby.
If you're looking for a DVD to MP4 converter for Windows, click here.
Oriented as a cutting-edge all-rounder, it can ingest whatever you feed it, 99-title DVD, bad sector DVD, region code DVD, fake playlist DVD, scratched DVD, workout DVD, Japanese DVD....
And you'll be badly pleased by the resulting MP4 quality - almost identical to the original DVD quality. That attributes to its ripping algorithm, De-interlacing tech and High Quality Engine. Even some physically damaged unplayable DVDs can regain the crisp image thanks to the auto repair tech during ripping.
It's an all-sided powerhouse, and even has Intel/Nvidia/AMD GPU hardware acceleration to quicken DVD to MP4 ripping speed up to 47x real-time faster, and to offload the compute burden from CPU to GPU to avoid 90% CPU use, overheating, software half crash issues.
Its official website is home to a wealth of tutorials, from a very basic introduction to DVD ripping, to advanced skills like copy DVD main title/full title, choose soft/forced subtitles, add external subtitles to DVD, trim/cut off clips, remove unwanted black borders, rip soundtracks from DVD, etc.
How to Free Rip DVD to MP4 on Mac
The tutorial below will show you how easy it is to free convert DVD to MP4 on Mac with MacX DVD Ripper Free.
Preparatory work:
- Download MacX DVD Ripper Mac Free. It is fully compatible with macOS Big Sur and earlier. Then install it on your Mac computer.
- Insert the source DVD into your computer's DVD-ROM drive. If there's no built-in drive, connect an external drive.
Step 1. Run it, and click 'DVD Disc' to import the DVD you just insert.
Step 2. Choose 'MP4 Video' from Mac General Video as Output format. You'll find two MP4 Video profiles. The differences come in video codec. One is MPEG4, the other is H.264.
Apple Dvd Ripper
Step 3. Click 'Browse' button in output setting area and select a destination folder to save your converted MP4 video.
Step 4. Click 'RUN' to start the DVD to MP4 conversion. You can view the conversion progress and are able to cancel the converting process at anytime.
Notice: We only advocates copying and ripping DVDs under the concept of Fair Use and does not encourage any illegal reproduction or distribution of copyrighted content. Please abide by the local DVD copyright law before doing it.
Handbrake
Handbrake is a free open source DVD ripper for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It can free rip DVD to MP4 and MKV, with the ready-made profiles for Android, Apple, Roku, etc.
But if you plan to rip encrypted DVDs to MP4 using Handbrake, you have to download and install libdvdcss to partner with it. Otherwise, you will encounter errors, such as no valid title found. HandBrake itself is unable to deal with copy-protected DVDs.
How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac with Free HandBrake
Step 1. Download and install HandBrake on your Mac. The latest HandBrake version is compatible with macOS 10.11 and later.
Step 2. Click Open Source button to load the source DVD.
Step 3. Select a movie title for later ripping.
Step 4. Choose a preset and make sure the format is set to MP4.
Step 5. Specify a file name and a save path for the resulting MP4 file.
Step 6. Click Start on the toolbar to begin converting DVD to MP4.
For more detailed guide and troubleshooting tips, you can check 'How to Convert DVD to MP4 with Handbrake'.
iSuper DVD Ripper
iSuper DVD Ripper is the best free DVD to MP4 ripper on the Mac Store. Besides MP4, it can also rip DVD to MOV, MKV, FLV, M4V, AAC, MP3, and more video/audio formats. And there are some basic video editing features. It can merge multiple videos into one, cut video, add text or image watermark, and adjust brightness, saturation, hue, and contrast.
Note: Just like other DVD rippers in the Mac Store, iSuper DVD Ripper isn't available to rip encrypted DVDs to MP4.
Convert Dvd To Mp4 online, free Mac
How to Convert DVD to MP4 with iSuper DVD Ripper
Step 1. Download iSuper DVD Ripper from Mac Store and install it on your computer. (macOS 10.7 or later is supported)
Step 2. Click Load Disc button to import your DVD.
Step 3. Choose a MP4 profile.
Step 4. Click Browse to select a destination.
Step 5. Click Convert to begin ripping DVD to MP4.
Verdict: All the tools mentioned above can rip DVD to MP4 on Mac for free. All have their own virtues and drawbacks. But if you wanna pursue a feature-packed DVD converter that can convert protected DVD to MP4 on Mac, no doubt MacX DVD Ripper Mac Free is the best.