How to Rip DVDs with VLC Media Player

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Movies and videos are great forms of entertainment. Many people have DVDs that they treasure, containing favorite movies, family videos, or rare content. Although DVDs provide a physical medium for storage, sometimes it is beneficial to have digital copies of these videos. This guide will introduce you to the process of ripping a DVD using VLC Media Player, a powerful and free software tool that many people already use as a media player.

Ripping a DVD means copying a video or movie on a DVD and converting it into a digital file that you can save on your computer or other device. Doing so makes it easier to organize, share, and backup your media content. With VLC Media Player, you can accomplish this task without the need for other complicated software.

Prerequisites

Before we begin with the step-by-step guide, there are a few things you need to keep ready:

• A computer that has a working DVD drive. A DVD drive is necessary to read the content on the DVD you want to rip.
• Make sure the computer has enough storage space. Digital files from DVDs can take up several gigabytes of space.
• Install the latest version of VLC media player. You can download it from the official VideoLAN website.
• Have the DVD you want to rip. Make sure you have the rights to copy the DVD's contents for personal use.

Step-by-step guide on ripping DVD with VLC

Step 1: Insert the DVD

Insert the DVD you want to rip into your computer's DVD drive. Make sure the disc is clean and undamaged so that there are no read errors. Once inserted, your computer may show you autoplay options; you can close these dialogs as they are unnecessary for this process.

Step 2: Open VLC media player

Now, launch VLC media player. You can do this by clicking its icon on your desktop or by searching for 'VLC' in the Start menu or Applications folder on macOS. If you encounter any permission issues later in the process, open VLC with administrative permissions.

Step 3: Access the Convert/Save functionality

Open VLC, go to the top menu bar and find the 'Media' option. Click on it and select 'Convert/Save' from the drop-down menu. This will take you to the Open Media dialogue box.

Step 4: Open the Disc tab

Inside the Open Media dialog box, look for several tabs at the top. Click on the tab labeled 'Disc'. This tab allows VLC to access content directly from the disc drive, which is ideal for ripping DVDs.

Step 5: Select the disk type

Under the Disc tab, you'll see options to select the type of medium you're working with. Since you're working with a DVD, make sure the 'DVD' radio button is selected. This signals to VLC that you're accessing a DVD disc.

Step 6: Choose the starting position

Below the disc selection options, you will see boxes for 'Starting position'. In most cases, you can leave these at default unless you need to rip from a specific title or chapter. The default setting usually rips the entire movie.

Step 7: Choose a disc menu option

Make sure the checkbox labeled 'No disc menu' is checked. VLC can sometimes get confused by DVD menus, and checking this box helps eliminate this potential problem for a cleaner ripping process.

Step 8: Click on Convert/Save

Next, click the 'Convert/Save' button at the bottom of the window. This action takes you to the convert interface, where you will specify the final configuration for your digital file.

Step 9: Choose a profile

In the convert interface, you need to choose a profile that suits the way you want to convert your DVD. Profiles are predefined settings that set the output format, such as MP4, AVI, or MKV. Choose a format that is compatible with the devices you plan to use your digital file with.

Step 10: Customize profile settings (optional)

If you want more control over the output, you can customize the profile settings by clicking the wrench icon next to the profile you choose. Here, you can adjust the video codec, bitrate, resolution, audio settings, and other options. However, for most users, the profile's default settings are sufficient.

Step 11: Specify the destination file

The next step is to choose where the ripped file will be saved on your computer. Click the 'Browse' button next to the 'Destination' file text box. A file explorer window will pop up, allowing you to navigate to the folder where you want to store your file. Enter a file name with an appropriate extension (for example, 'movie.mp4') and click 'Save'.

Step 12: Start the conversion

After specifying all the necessary settings and destination, you can start the actual ripping process by pressing the 'Start' button. VLC media player will start transcoding the DVD content.

Step 13: Monitor the ripping process

VLC does not display a separate progress bar for DVD ripping. However, you can observe the progress by looking at the timeline slider in the VLC interface, simulating playback progress.

Step 14: Complete the ripping

Once VLC reaches the end of the DVD, the conversion stops automatically. Check the destination folder you specified earlier to find your newly created digital file. To make sure the ripping process was successful, double-click the file to open it and view it in VLC or another media player. Make sure the video and audio playback correctly.

Troubleshooting common problems

Although VLC is quite powerful, some users may still face challenges when ripping DVDs. Below are some common problems and suggestions for solutions:

Codec errors

If you encounter errors related to codecs, it may be related to the chosen profile settings or missing codecs on your system. Either choose a different profile or install additional codec packs.

Stopping the conversion process midway

Often, if VLC stops midway through ripping, the DVD may be dirty or scratched. Try cleaning the disc gently, then try the process again. Also, make sure there is enough storage space.

Unable to read disk

If VLC cannot read the disc or if it keeps exiting, make sure the disc and drive are working properly. Try another disc to determine if the problem is with the disc or the drive.

Legality and ethical considerations

Ripping DVDs, especially commercial DVDs, may violate copyright laws in some jurisdictions. It is important to ensure that you have the legal right to make copies of the DVD content. Generally, personal use, such as backing up your media, may be permissible. However, it is advisable to seek legal advice specific to your area to avoid violating laws.

Alternative software options

Although VLC Media Player is a versatile tool for ripping, there are also additional software tools designed specifically for DVD ripping and conversion.

HandBrake

HandBrake is a dedicated open-source video transcoder that works great for DVD ripping, including offering more detailed settings and options than VLC.

MakeMKV

MakeMKV allows converting DVD to MKV format, preserving video and audio quality while keeping subtitles and other features intact.

WinX DVD Ripper

This software is known for its speed and supports ripping in multiple formats, specially optimized for various devices such as iPad and smartphones.

Conclusion

Ripping DVDs can be a useful process, providing greater accessibility and versatility to video content. VLC Media Player provides a free, albeit basic, method to achieve this. Through the steps outlined in this guide, you can digitize your DVD collection to enjoy your media efficiently across multiple platforms and devices.

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