MakeMKV Review and Its Best Alternatives

MakeMKV is a popular software for converting Blu-ray and DVD discs into the MKV (Matroska) format, which preserves the original video and audio quality while removing unnecessary extras.

But MakeMKV official website was invisible in the past for several days with only a Russian MakeMKV page left, which made its users and subscribers confused and scared a lot. Can you continue to make MKV with this program again? What happened to MakeMKV and what the secrets behinds MakeMKV down and up? Let me satisfy your curiosity here in this post for make mkv related solutions.

Why is MakeMKV Site Down?

There are many reasons to cause MakeMKV down, among which I have listed them from serious to slight. Any assumption is possible before MakeMKV developer gives an official statement on the MakeMKV forum. So look before you leap so as not to be involved in trouble.

• MakeMKV is moved by Google 

This is the severest punishment from Google. Last year, MakeMKV download was punished for its decrypition of AACS. Then, what illegal issue may cause MakeMKV down this time? In the face of MakeMKV up today, you have to be cautious about the legality of MakeMKV to rip UHD or Blu-ray and DVD.

• MakeMKV is shut down by some Russian government agency

Why shut down the MakeMKV download page? Maybe MakeMKV fails to pay the web host as a Russian hosting company, so the hosting was canceled. 

• There is something wrong with the MakeMKV developer

It might be health, money, or living situation problem. But, I hope not. No matter what reason causes MakeMKV down, let's wait for the official announcement. 

What Is the Influence of MakeMKV Down?

What are the side effects of MakeMKV site down? What functions are not available as before. Here, I have made a list for your reference. 

You can still do such things below:

• Download MakeMKV of Mac and PC version (Old Versions)
• Download MakeMKV 1.16.3 (Latest versions)
• Access MakeMKV Forum

You cannot do such things below:

• Send messages with MakeMKV email 
• Purchase MakeMKV at $50 due to a credit card processing problem
• Aceess MakeMKV on Linux
• Make MKV from COPY-protected UHD

Today, MakeMKV is up but not sure about the safety of MakeMKV anymore. If you have some important disc copy tasks, want to rip a UHD disk, or back up Dolby Vision contents, DVDFab UHD Ripper is highly recommended.

How to Use MakeMKV to Rip DVD/Blu-ray

If you haven't tried MakeMKV and want to try it still. There is everything about this MKV ripper free. MakeMKV, one of the programs to make MKV, has strong compatibility. It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux and helps you rip DVD and Blu-ray files easily. Does MakeMKV remove copy protection? Yes, it can decrypt DVD ACCS and BD+. But last year, guess what happened to MakeMKV? It was punished for decrypting such two copy protections. 

Another point you should be clear about is the output file format. You can only rip DVDs to MKV using MakeMKV. What are the pros and cons of this file format? MKV is a container format that shows better video quality than other formats, but it needs a special player for file playback. Compared with MKV, MP4 is more popular in DVD ripping and Blu-ray digitizing, since MP4 is compatible with all the devices like iPhone, Android, PS4, Xbox One, etc. So, people want to find a MakeMKV alternative to convert DVD to MP4 and other mainstream video formats.

The Detailed Steps of Ripping DVD/Blu-ray with MakeMKV

Step 1: Go to the official MakeMKV website and select the download link that matches your operating system.

Steps 2: Once the installation is complete, launch the software. You'll see all available optical drives displayed in the interface. You can click on File to select either Open Files or Open Disc to import your video.

Step 3: Once you've opened your video, you can select the titles you wish to save as MKV files and choose the tracks you want to keep. After adjusting all your settings, select the output folder, and click the Make MKV icon on the right side of the interface to begin transcoding.

Feedback on MakeMKV

In summary, as an open-source software, MakeMKV has several strengths, but its limitations are obvious, such as only converting to MKV, no preview window, large file sizes unsuitable for mobile devices, and no editing or DVD audio ripping capabilities. These drawbacks make it a less flexible option, which is why many users turn to alternatives like DVDFab. DVDFab offers a wider range of formats, faster ripping speeds, and more features, making it a more versatile and user-friendly choice for DVD and Blu-ray conversion.

Best MakeMKV Alternatives

DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray/UHD Ripper (the Best Sollution)

Here are three modules about DVDFab: DVD Ripper, Blu-ray Ripper, and UHD Ripper, showing you how to rip a DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD disc, folder, and ISO file. MakeMKV vs DVDFab, the latter supports more output formats, like MP4, MKV, AVI, FLV, VOB, TS, etc. Instead of MakeMKV buy, DVDFab Ripper offers a 30-day free trial.

Features of this MakeMKV alternative:

• Remove the latest protection form encrypted DVDs to make DVD to digital possible
• Compress video size but preserve quality for any mobile device
• Rip DVD/Bluray/UHD to 1000+ Video & Audio Formats via Customized Settings
• Get 50x faster DVD pipping speed with GPU acceleration
• Built-in video editor able to create professional-looking and personalized video
• Upscale Video from 480p to 1080p with Video Enlarger AI

Steps on how to use DVDFab

Step 1: Download and install DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray/UHD Ripper.

Step 2: Select the module of 'Ripper' and add your file.

Select the Ripper module. You can drag more than one file to this free ripper and convert them to digital in batches. DVDFab 13 includes many modules which enable you to do more than DVD ripping, Blu-ray converting and UHD digitizing. Moreover, you can burn videos to DVD and convert MKV to MP4, etc.

Step 3: Select one profile, and customize your video.

Choose the profile you need after the source has loaded in. Then, select the audio tracks and subtitles you want to keep in the output video.

For further customization regarding the output video, you can set video and audio parameters with the Advanced Settings, and edit the output video with the built-in video editor. 'Enlarger AI' enables you to improve video quality up to 4K.  After that, select the output path by clicking "Save to".

Step 4: Click the button of 'Start'.

Start to convert DVD/Blu-ray/UHD to digital by hitting 'Start'. DVDFab works 10 times faster than the normal speed, so you will be able to enjoy your files soon.

If a DVD, Blu-ray, or UHD is encrypted with UOPs, RC, RCE, 99 Titles, DVDFab DVD Ripper can decrypt them automatically. If it is Cinavia copy protection, DVDFab Cinavia Removal can do your a favor. It can permanently remove the Cinavia watermarks from Cinavia infected Blu-rays. 

HandBrake

In order to convert DVD to digital in other formats including but not limited to MKV, HandBrake comes to your aid. Similar to MakeMKV, it is also compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. But MakeMKV vs HandBrake, the latter is able to rip DVD to MP4 as well. This is the biggest advantage over MakeMKV backup. Can HandBrake rip copy-protected DVDs? No, this MakeMKV alternative cannot do that. Considering most DVD videos include copy protection, you can ask other alternatives to MakeMKV for help if a DVD file is not encrypted.

Steps on how to use Handbrake

Step 1: On your PC or Mac, download, install, and launch HandBrake.

Step 2: To load a DVD, click "Open Source."

If the DVD, ISO, or folder is encoded with CSS or region code, download libdvdcss to avoid the "no valid source or titles detected" error. For encrypted discs, remove the DVD copy protection before ripping with HandBrake.

Step 3: Select General, Web, Matroska, Hardware, and other options from the Presets dropdown menu.

Choose Fast480p30 for the United States or Fast576p25 for Europe. You may also pick HQ for improved image quality, but this will slow down the DVD encoding process.

Step 4: Select a format from the Format dropdown list in the Summary. 

Select a target folder for the resulting file by clicking Browse. Then, in the toolbar above, choose Start Encode.

VLC Player

If you think MakeMKV unsafe, install this VLC Player for free. Although there are many functions in VLC, it does a better job in video play than DVD converting to MP4.

If you want to this MakeMKV alternative, convert DVD to MKV, MP4, MPEG, WMV, FLAC, OGG, and MP3. Follow the steps below. Launch it on Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac, and Linux. Then, click the button of "Media" > select "Convert/Save". Insert your disc and choose the title you are going to rip with this MakeMKV alternative. Then go to "Setting" - "Convert" to choose your wanted output format and start to rip DVD to your chosen output folder. How long does it take to rip a DVD? Not very fast according to some users' feedback. 

Steps on how to use VLC

Step 1: Download and install.

Get the VLC media player, install it, and open it. VLC should be used to play the original DVD.

Step 2: Load the DVD.

Open the converter, go to the Media menu in the upper left corner of the main screen, and select Convert/Save. To load the DVD, click the Disc button.

Step 3: Once the DVD is in the Disc Device, click Convert/Save.

Alternatively, go to the Open Disc from Media tab > browse and select DVD location at Disc Drive > select Convert from the dropdown menu next to the Play button from the Open Disc from Media tab.

Step 4: Select a format from the Profile dropdown menu when the Convert box appears.

Step 5: To save the converted movie, click the Browse button.

Then press the Start button to convert a DVD to MKV/other file.

UniConverter

The next alternative to MakeMKV is UniConverter. How to rip DVDs with this software? Get it launched first on your Windows or Mac. Then select the module of Converter and load your file. There is a video editor in this MakeMKV alternative, so you can customize your video based on your preference. Then choose the output format and decide where to save your file. At last, rip DVD to MKV/MP4 or others using this MakeMKV alternative. 

Steps on how to use UniConverter

Step 1: Run the software and add videos.

Insert the DVD into your system and run the Wondershare UniConverter software. Select the DVD Burner tab from the primary interface and click on the +Load DVD icon and select the Load DVD Folder option that will add the disc files to the software interface.

Step 2: Select DVD template.

From the right-side panel, select the DVD template as required. You can check the available design by clicking on the left and the right arrows.

Step 3: Select DVD settings.

Enter the name of the disc at the DVD label tab. Also select Menu Type, Aspect Ratio, TV Standard, and Quality from their respective drop-down menu.

Step 4: Convert DVD to ISO files.

At the top-right corner, open drop-down list at Burn video to tab and select ISO File option. Finally, click on the Burn button to start burning the DVD videos to an ISO file.

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro is another alternative to MakeMKV.  It is compatible with Windows 10/8/7 or lower operating systems. There is no multilingual user interface in this DVD ripping software. You can input DVD Disc, ISO Image, and DVD Folder to this alternative to MakeMKV. If you want to rip DVDs to multiple formats do it in a paid version. Similar to DVDFab DVD Ripper, it also decrypts 99 titles and region codes. Meanwhile, you can use its embedded video editor to add or remove subtitles and crop your files.

Steps on how to use WonderFox DVD Ripper

Step 1: To begin, launch the application and opt for “DVD Disc” to upload your DVD.

The software will unlock the DVD, display all available titles, and automatically choose the main title. You can also manually select other titles if you wish to rip specific parts of the DVD.

Step 2: Choose an Output Format. 

Access the list of output formats on the right-hand side. This tool allows you to convert your protected DVD video into over 300 optimized digital formats and compatible devices.

Step 3: Adjust settings.

You can adjust settings such as resolution, bit rate, frame rate, and more by clicking the "Settings" button. This step is optional and only necessary if you need specific adjustments.

Step 4: Start converting.

Designate the output location at the bottom of the screen, then hit “Run” to initiate the process of transferring a protected DVD to digital format.

FAQs

How to use MakeMKV on Linux?

MakeMKV works on Mac OS X and Windows. Users can also install MakeMKV Linux by following a detailed instruction post on the MakeMKV forums. To download MakeMKV, you can go to its official website. Few MakeMKV alternatives can work on this system.

Where to find MakeMKV beta key?

MakeMKV contains both freeware and shareware functionality. You may use this software to convert or rip DVDs for free. Yet when it comes to "rip Blu-ray", you need to purchase a MakeMKV activation key after a 30-day trial period. If you only rip Blu-rays with MakeMKV occasionally and think it costs too much to buy this software, you can reinstall this software after 30 days to obtain a new trial period, as MakeMKV is a beta version. 

Why Rip DVD to MKV?

MKV is short for “Matroska”. It's not an audio or video compression format as people always think like MKV vs. MP4. Instead, it's a video container, much like MOV and AVI, but also supports an unlimited number of audio, picture, and subtitle tracks into a single file – even if those elements use different types of encoding. Apart from this, as MKV supports descriptions, ratings, convert art, and even chapter points, it is often seen as the carrier for high-definition online video. This is why MKV is chosen as the default video container format by MakeMKV and its alternatives.

How MakeMKV Works?

MakeMKV is easy to use. It will automatically detect DVD or Blu-ray and show it if they already exist in the DVD drive. When your DVD or Blu-ray information shows up, you can click on the large optical drive icon to initiate the program and let the software begins scanning the drive.

Once the scanning process is done, all chapters of DVD or Blu-ray will show up. This is when you can do some settings, like selecting subtitles you need, choosing the chapter you want, or other things.

Then click “Make MKV” to start the conversion. If you happen to have 4K Blu-ray discs and want to rip them with MakeMKV, just repeat the above steps. When the MKV file is made, you can use DVDFab Player 6, the best 4K media player, to play it right away.

Is MakeMKV Safe?

If you want to rip DVDs and Blu-rays that you created yourself, it is definitely legal. However, ripping protected Blu-rays or DVDs for commercial purposes is illegal. In some cases, you can rip encrypted Blu-rays and DVDs for personal use.

Conclusion

With good MakeMKV alternative, you can yield twice the result with half the effort. Since the market has been flooded by converters and rippers, it may take you a while to weed through them one by one. If you happen to need a DVD converter or DVD ripper, turn to DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray Ripper for help. For information about more like Format Factory, VideoSolo Video Converter, Uniconverter, DVD Shrink, read another article.