How to Use MakeMKV to Rip DVD and Blu-ray Discs: Full Guide
Summary: Learn how to use MakeMKV to rip DVDs and Blu-rays into digital formats, preserving quality and metadata. This guide covers essential setup, step-by-step instructions, and common issues. It also explores alternatives like DVDFab and HandBrake for faster, more customizable ripping, helping you choose the best solution.
Table of Contents
Ripping a DVD or Blu-ray with MakeMKV is a common solution for people who want a digital backup of their discs. The tool is good at decrypting discs and keeping the original picture and audio quality, but users often run into issues such as read errors, oversized MKV files, and limited format options.
This guide explains how to use MakeMKV to rip DVD and Blu-ray from start to finish, while also pointing out the limitations you may face and the alternatives that can handle the tasks MakeMKV struggles with.
MakeMKV: DVD & Blu-ray Ripper Overview
MakeMKV is a disc-backup tool used to convert DVD and Blu-ray content into MKV files without re-encoding. It works on both Windows and macOS and is widely used because it can open most commercial discs, including those protected with AACS or BD+.
Key Features of MakeMKV:
- Cross-Platform Support, any device running Windows, Linux, or Mac can use MakeMKV.
- DVDs and Blu-Rays Support, can read and access both DVDs and Blu-rays, which makes MakeMKV one of the best ways to convert them into digital files.
- The Most Recent Copy Encryption Support, designed to handle DVD and Blu-ray discs with the latest copy-protection, such as AACS and BD+.
- Chapter Info Preservation, can save chapter information so you don't miss any useful navigation points in the movie.
- Fast and Efficient Conversion, can rip DVD and Blu-ray files quickly based on the data reading speed of your disc drive.
- Complete Retention of Tracks, keeps all of the video and audio tracks, even the more advanced ones like AAC and DTS.
How to Use MakeMKV to Rip DVDs & Blu-rays
Before ripping DVDs with MakeMKV, all you need is a computer, the software, discs, and an optical drive if your computer doesn’t have one built in. Below are the detailed steps for how to use MakeMKV to rip DVDs/Blu-rays so you can follow along.
Step 1: Download & Install MakeMKV
Be sure to download MakeMKV from the official site to avoid unnecessary problems. The latest official versions are MakeMKV 1.18.2 for Windows (XP or later, x86 or x64) and MakeMKV 1.18.2 for Mac OS X (x64 or ARM64, Mac OS X 10.7 or later). If your system is older, the official site also provides previously released versions. Just download the version that supports your system. If you're on Linux, look for the download resources in the MakeMKV official forum.
Warning: MakeMKV's official website experienced an unexpected downtime from June 16 to June 20, 2025, due to a domain expiration issue. Subsequently, on August 1, 2025, the MakeMKV beta key expired without an updated release. Some users found themselves unable to purchase keys, while others who succeeded in buying did not receive the key emails and were directly refunded. Normal service was restored on August 15, 2025.
Step 2: Open MakeMKV and Load Your DVD/Blu-ray
Start MakeMKV, then load the DVD or Blu-ray you want to rip. The main interface will display all of the available optical drives. Alternatively, you can choose "Open files" or "Open disc" from the "File" menu to add your DVD or Blu-ray disc. Before inserting your DVDs, please clean DVD discs at first and avoid inserting a scratched DVD.
Step 3: Select the Titles You Want to Rip
When MakeMKV finishes reading the disc, the interface will display everything on it, including titles, and the video, audio, and subtitles included in each title. Check the items you want to rip. In most cases, you'll choose the largest title, which is the main movie. You can also right-click to select multiple items.
Step 4: Set Saving Path and Start Ripping
If all the settings are as you want, choose the Output folder and click the Make MKV icon to begin the ripping process. One advantage of MakeMKV is that it eliminates many complex steps and enables one-click conversion, though it does give users fewer options to tweak.
During processing, a green progress bar will appear. A pop-up will also show the output file size and your remaining disk space. To cancel, press the orange stop button. Conversion time varies mainly based on the size of the source and the read speed of your optical drive. In my test, ripping a 6.13 GB file took 1 minute and 34 seconds, which is quite fast. The output file was also large at 6.01 GB.
Step 5: Check the Ripped MKV Files
Open the output folder you selected and locate the files created by MakeMKV. The resolution matches the source disc: DVDs remain 480p, Blu-rays 1080p, and UHD discs 4K. Once confirmed, you can move the MKV files to a USB drive, NAS, phone, or tablet, and play them with virtually any modern media player.
MakeMKV DVD & Blu-ray Ripper: Real User Experience
Even though MakeMKV is a popular choice for ripping DVDs and Blu-rays, users have shared both positive and negative feedback about their experiences. Below are the key highlights from real user reviews, as well as some common errors that MakeMKV users encounter.
- Beginner-Friendly Workflow: "So easy, in fact, that an elementary school child could figure out how to rip a dvd/bluray to a harddrive if given the opportunity." — From Videohelp
- Completely Free with Beta key: "Fantastic converter that freely lets me digitalise my physical media." — From Trustpilot
- Excellent Output Quality: "I was worried ripping would ruin the original video quality, but this software totally surprised me." — From Reddit
- Supports Both DVD and Blu-ray Ripping in One Software: "I have a mixed collection of old DVDs and new Blu-rays, and this one software covers them all." — From MakeMKV Forum
- Lightweight and clean: "No random extra modules or useless features cluttering the interface, just a clean tool that does what it says." — From Quora
- Lack of Frequent Updates on Beta Keys: "The developer doesn't keep the software decryption keys updated frequently which means you can't convert your newer videofiles quickly." — From Trustpilot
- Delayed Paid Registration Keys: "I have an entire DVD and Blu-ray collection to transfer to NAS, so I bought MakeMKV. That was a WEEK AGO and I still don't have a reg key." — From Twitter
- Limited Decryption Ability: "I'm not the hugest fan of MakeMKV because it cannot copy and remove some of the protections from some discs and the features aren't very robust because it is free." — From YouTube
- Slow Ripping Speed: "It isn't perfect, as it can only output to the MKV format and is very slow." — From Lifewire
- Limited Output Formats: "l use both, but use DVDFab mostly. The biggest benefit is one click rip/convert. Whereas MakeMKV/handbreak is a 2 step process." — From Reddit
- Oversized Output Files: "The quality is good, but the file sizes are insane. I have to delete old files or buy extra drives just to keep using it." — From Videohelp
Common MakeMKV Errors When Ripping DVD/Blu-ray
In addition to users' real feedback, we have also collected some sudden error reports encountered by users when using MakeMKV to rip DVD and Blu-ray.
- Read Error Issue: Many users claim that MakeMKV frequently encounters read errors. This means that MakeMKV is unable to read the data that is encrypted on the physical disc. The most common reason is a broken disc or optical drive.
- MakeMKV SCIS Errors: SCIS errors are caused by hardware issues with Blu-ray discs or dust buildup on the optical drivers that process the discs. Blu-ray discs can be tricky for MakeMKV, so if you make a small mistake with the hardware, it will lead to SCIS errors.
- Stopped Ripping DVDs in the Middle: Several things can cause this problem, such as bad sectors, overheating drivers, or software that hasn't been updated in a while.
- 116736 MakeMKV Error: This error number 116736 means that the processed disc can't be ripped to the hard drive of your device.
- Doesn't Work on Brand-New Discs: This is because MakeMKV is unable to handle the new copy-protection technology.
MakeMKV is great when it works, but its limitations often stop the process entirely. If you keep running into these errors and MakeMKV can't complete the rip, it's a sign that you need a more reliable tool, especially for newer discs or large Blu-ray titles.
Best MakeMKV Alternatives for DVD & Blu-ray Ripping
To help you continue your ripping project without interruptions, here are some solid alternatives that handle discs more consistently.
DVDFab DVD Ripper
As one of the strongest alternatives to MakeMKV, this software can process DVD discs (including 2D/3D), ISO image files, and DVD folders with full decryption support. While MakeMKV only outputs MKV, DVDFab can rip new releases into more than 1,000 video and audio formats
With over 20 years in the DVD and Blu-ray software industry, DVDFab has built a reputation for long-term reliability. Its frequent updates, active knowledge base, and responsive support team make it a dependable option for users who need something more stable than MakeMKV.
- Recognize and rip any copy-protected DVD, including RC, CSS, Sony DADC, APS, and more
- Use hardware acceleration (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to shorten ripping and encoding times
- Create lossless MKV files or generate high-quality compressed versions for smaller sizes
- Convert DVDs to digital formats with full control over codec, bitrate, frame rate, and output size
- Queue multiple discs or tasks, and DVDFab will run each job automatically
How to Use DVDFab DVD Ripper to Rip DVD
Step 1: Download and install DVDFab. Then, open the program and pick the "Ripper" module. After that, place the DVD in the optical drive, and the software will load it immediately. You can also use the "+" symbol to load the DVD source.
Step 2: To select a format, hit "Choose Other Profile". There you will find “Format” and “Video” tabs. Then, select MKV or other format you prefer.
Step 3: Customize the output video by selecting the "Advanced Settings" button. There, you can adjust the audio and video codecs, as well as other settings.
Return to the main interface, where you can select the title to rip, as well as the audio track, chapters, and subtitles. If you want to edit the video, just hit the "Edit Video" button.
Step 4: If you are done customizing, designate the output folder for the ripped video. After that, hit the "Start" button.
How to Use DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper to Rip Blu-ray Discs
Step 1: Install the DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper on your device.
Step 2: Launch the app, load the Blu-ray disc, and pick the "Ripper" module from the main interface. To rip more than one file, you can drag and drop the files and rip them in batches.
Step 3: Select the profile that you want. Then, you can choose the audio track and subtitle you want to keep in the output video. If you wish to make additional changes, go to "Advanced Settings" and edit the video with the built-in video editor.
Step 4: If you've made the adjustments, click the "Save to" button to choose a location for the output file. Then press the "Start" button to begin the Blu-ray ripping process.
Comparison Table: MakeMKV vs. Alternatives
To help you decide which tool best suits your needs, here’s a detailed comparison of MakeMKV and its alternatives. Let's see their differences and similarities.
| Feature | MakeMKV | DVDFab DVD Ripper | DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper |
| Platform | Windows, Mac, and Linux | Windows and Mac | Windows and Mac |
| Input Formats | DVD and Blu-ray | DVD ISO image file, DVD disc, & DVD folder | Blu-ray ISO image file, Blu-ray disc, & Blu-ray folder |
| Output Formats | MKV | 1000+ formats | 1000+ formats |
| Compression Options | No | Yes | Yes |
| Decryption Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customization | No | Yes | Yes |
| Speed | Fast | Very Fast | Very Fast |
| Free Version Availablity | Yes (Beta version) | Yes (30-day free trial) | Yes (30-day free trial) |
FAQs
Yes. MakeMKV is still in beta. Beta versions of MakeMKV are free for everyone to use. To use MakeMKV for free, all you have to do is visit the official website and register using the beta key. However, the previous beta key has expired, and a new key has not been released by the official site. If you're in a hurry to rip discs, you can try DVDFab DVD Ripper, which offers a free trial with access to more features.
MakeMKV beta key is a registration key that allows you to use all of MakeMKV's features for free for 30 days. Using MakeMKV beta, Blu-ray discs can be streamed and converted. But, if your registration key has expired, you will only be able to stream or convert DVD and AVCHD videos.
On August 1, 2025, the previous beta key has expired without a new release. Many users were unable to use MakeMKV, and it took 15 days to be officially distributed. If you need a dependable program, you can get the feature-rich DVDFab DVD Ripper for free.
No. MakeMKV does not support batch processing, so every disc or title must be ripped separately. If you want to line up multiple tasks or handle several DVDs and Blu-rays without manual intervention, tools such as DVDFab DVD Ripper and DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper include batch modes that can run each job automatically.
No. MakeMKV does not compress or re-encode the video. It extracts the original video, audio, and subtitle streams and places them directly into an MKV container. Since the data remains unchanged, the resulting file size is usually large and reflects the disc's original bitrate and quality.
Conclusion
MakeMKV rip DVD and Blu-ray workflows focus on one task: converting discs to MKV by loading the disc, selecting the movie title, and running the rip. This is ideal when MakeMKV works as expected, but frequent errors, limited format choices, and large file sizes are common pain points. DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray Ripper and HandBrake step in as practical alternatives, giving you more control over formats, quality, and file size while still keeping the ripping process efficient.
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