Rip DVD or Blu-ray videos to MKV (using HandBrake)
HandBrake is one of the best free open source video transcoders you can find around. It can rip DVD or Blu-ray videos to MP4 or MKV formats. In the later format, the option of adding subtitles and audio files are available. However, it is unable to decrypt encrypted videos so you may have to find another solution for that.
Anyway, I found that copying the source video files to the hard disk before converting makes it a bit faster.
Before your ripping
By default, Handbrake does not have the capability to decrypt protected DVD and Blu-ray. However, that capability can be added by importing the decryption library from VLC into the program folder. Download the appropriate application extension for your system and place it in the Handbrake program folder. https://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html.
Now you can start ripping
Ripping a DVD or Blu-ray (unencrypted and copied to HDD) is simple. You open HandBrake, choose the source file location. You also have the option of ripping directly from disc or a single file. This may imply ISO but I’m not too sure.
Select a source
You will also need to select a destination for your ripped file. This can be anywhere but I prefer to save them into an appropriately named folder. I find this helps when trying to add additional information about the movie.
The video format or container can be selected from the Output Settings. The MKV container is the one I recommend. It is a personal choice; however, it has the option of adding extras into the file.
I recommend saving to MKV
In the MKV container, you can add subtitles, different audio files, create markers and name chapters. The subtitle option is pretty cool as you can add several and have the choice of having it ‘burned it’ or ‘forced only’.
The first option permanently shows the subtitles while the later can be called up when you want it. I usually leave it as default after selecting the language I want.
I often leave the other values as default and find it works well. However, if you are want to tweak the other setting then by all means do so.
Another great feature with HandBrake is that you can add jobs to que which means you can line up videos to be ripped and then have a good night’s rest.
Now, there are other programs you can use to do this like WinX DVD Ripper which has a limited version that can rip to MP4 only. The paid version allows decrypting and an array of containers you can choose from.
Anyway, if you are keen to try ripping using HandBrake then it can be downloaded here (handbrake.fr) and happy ripping.
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