The basic process: what you need and how it works

Ripping a DVD to your computer means reading the video and audio files from the disc and saving them as digital files on your hard drive. You need three things: a DVD drive (built into some computers, external for others), ripping software, and enough storage space — a typical two-hour film takes 4 to 8 gigabytes depending on the quality you choose.

The software does the actual work. It reads the disc, decodes the video and audio, and converts them into a format your computer can play — usually MP4, MKV, or AVI. Some software is free and open-source; others cost money but offer more features or faster processing. The whole job usually takes 20 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and the software you pick.

Before you start, check whether the DVD is copy-protected. Most commercial DVDs use a protection called CSS (Content Scramble System). Ripping a protected disc is legal in some countries and illegal in others. In the United States, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibits circumventing copy protection, even for personal use. Check your local laws before proceeding.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a DVD drive, ripping software, and at least 4 to 8 gigabytes of free storage space for each film.
  • Copy-protected DVDs require software that can decode CSS protection, which is illegal to use in some countries including the United States.
  • Unprotected DVDs and home-recorded discs can be ripped with free software like HandBrake or VidCoder without legal risk.
  • The ripping process takes 20 minutes to two hours and produces a single video file you can play on any device with the right software.

Software options for unprotected DVDs

HandBrake is free, open-source, and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It does not decode copy-protected DVDs on its own, but it can rip unprotected discs and home recordings. You insert the DVD, select the title and audio track you want, choose your output format and quality, and start the conversion. The interface is straightforward but has many options if you want to adjust video bitrate, frame rate, or audio quality.

VidCoder is a free Windows-only tool built on the same engine as HandBrake. It offers a simpler interface and built-in presets for common devices like phones and tablets. Like HandBrake, it cannot handle copy-protected discs.

MakeMKV is free for personal use on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It converts DVDs to MKV files, which preserve the original video and audio quality without re-encoding — the process is faster than HandBrake because it does less processing. MakeMKV also cannot decode CSS protection without additional software.

Handling copy-protected DVDs: the legal situation

If your DVD is copy-protected and you live in the United States, Canada, or most of Europe, circumventing the protection is illegal even if you own the disc and only want to watch it on your own devices. The DMCA and similar laws in other countries prohibit the act of breaking the protection, regardless of your intent.

Some countries have exceptions. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and a few others, ripping a disc you own for personal use is legal. Check the specific laws in your country before using any software that decodes CSS.

If you cannot legally rip the disc, consider whether the film is available through a streaming service you already pay for, or whether you can purchase a digital copy from the studio. Many DVDs sold in recent years include a digital code that lets you read or stream the film without needing to rip the disc.

Setting up your computer and choosing output quality

First, make sure you have a DVD drive. If your computer does not have one built in, you can buy an external USB DVD drive for $20 to $50. Connect it and test it by inserting a disc to confirm your operating system recognizes it.

Next, decide what quality you want. Ripping at the original DVD quality (usually 720 × 480 for NTSC or 720 × 576 for PAL) produces a file around 4 to 8 gigabytes per film. Ripping at lower quality — say, 50% of the bitrate — cuts the file size in half but makes the picture softer, especially on larger screens. For watching on a phone or tablet, lower quality is fine. For a TV or computer monitor, original quality is worth the extra storage.

Check your available storage before you start. Open your file manager, right-click your hard drive, and select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac) to see how much free space you have. Ripping a two-hour film at full quality needs at least 8 gigabytes free.

Step-by-step ripping with HandBrake

read HandBrake from handbrake.fr and install it. Open the program and click the folder icon to select your DVD drive. HandBrake reads the disc and shows you a list of titles — usually the longest one is the main film.

Select the title you want. Under the Video tab, choose your output format: MP4 is most compatible with phones and tablets; MKV preserves more quality and is better for archiving. Set the quality slider — start at 20 for high quality, or 18 if you want maximum quality and do not mind larger files.

Choose your audio track under the Audio tab. Most DVDs have an English stereo track and sometimes a surround-sound track. Stereo is smaller and plays on any device; surround sound is larger but sounds better on a home theater system. Click Browse to choose where to save the file, then click Start. The conversion begins and a progress bar shows you how long it will take.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the software does not recognize your DVD drive, restart your computer and try again. If the drive still does not appear, check that the USB cable is plugged in (for external drives) and that your operating system shows the drive in Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac).

If the ripping process stops or crashes partway through, your disc may be scratched or dirty. Clean the disc with a soft, lint-free cloth wiping from the center outward, not in circles. Restart the rip. If it fails again, the disc may be too damaged to read.

If the output file plays audio but no video, or video but no audio, try ripping again and selecting a different audio or video track. Some DVDs have multiple tracks and the software may have picked the wrong one the first time.

If the file plays but looks pixelated or blurry, you chose too low a quality setting. Delete the file and rip again with a higher quality slider value.

Storing and playing your ripped files

Once the rip is complete, you have a video file on your hard drive. You can play it with any media player that supports the format — VLC Media Player (free, all platforms) plays MP4, MKV, and AVI files. You can also copy the file to a phone, tablet, or external drive.

If you plan to keep many ripped films, consider external storage. A 2-terabyte external hard drive costs $50 to $100 and holds roughly 250 films at full quality. Keep the drive in a cool, dry place and test it every few months to make sure the files are still readable.

Organize your files in folders by title or genre so you can find them later. Name each file clearly — "Casablanca 1942" is easier to find than "dvd_rip_001".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rip a DVD I borrowed from a library or friend?

Legally, no. Copyright law protects the film itself, not just the physical disc. Ripping a borrowed disc is making an unauthorized copy, even if you delete it later. You can only legally rip discs you own.

What format should I choose — MP4, MKV, or AVI?

MP4 is the most compatible format and plays on phones, tablets, and most computers without extra software. MKV preserves more quality and is better for archiving, but some devices do not play it. AVI is older and larger; avoid it unless you have a specific reason. Start with MP4 unless you need the higher quality of MKV.

How long does it take to rip a DVD?

A two-hour film usually takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's processor speed and the quality you choose. Faster processors and lower quality settings both speed up the process. The software shows an estimated time remaining as it works.

Do I need to keep the original DVD after I rip it?

No. Once you have the file on your computer, you do not need the disc anymore. You can store it, give it away, or recycle it. The ripped file is your copy.

What if my computer does not have a DVD drive?

Buy an external USB DVD drive for $20 to $50. Plug it in via USB, and your computer will recognize it the same way it would a built-in drive. External drives work with Windows, Mac, and Linux.