How to Rip DVD with VLC Media Player: Step-By-Step Guide
Summary: This article deals with the use of the VLC Media Player to RIP your DVD files. Additionally, it also contains an introduction to the DVDFab DVD Ripper application.
- • Rip/Convert DVDs to mainstream video/audio formats
- • Enable you to enjoy DVD files on mobile devices or in a home theater
- • Customize DVD video with the built-in video editor
- • Support batch conversion at GPU-accelerated speed
Table of Contents
VLC is by far one of the most popular media player applications of all time. It is one of those rare successful softwares that is based on an open-code environment. It means that you can use all the features of the VLC Media Player without needing to pay even a single penny.
It goes without saying that the VLC Media Player without a doubt is one of the best softwares for playing your favorite media files including movies, and TV shows. But did you know that in addition to letting you play your favorite content, the VLC Media Player also allows you to rip DVD files.
We are going to tell you everything you need to know about how to rip DVDs with VLC. Additionally, we will also tell you a lot about the best DVD ripper for Plex, and what makes it an able alternative to the VLC Media Player. So without any further ados, let us jump straight into the article.
VLC DVD Ripper: Basic Information You Need to Know
VLC DVD Ripper is a feature within VLC Media Player that allows users to extract content from DVDs. This tool enables the conversion of DVD video and audio into various digital formats, making it easier to store and play on different devices. With a straightforward interface, users can select their DVD, choose the desired output format, and initiate the ripping process.
Pros and Cons of VLC DVD Ripper
- VLC is completely free to use, with no hidden costs or advertisements.
- Available on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Includes features like media conversion, DVD ripping, streaming, and screen recording.
- It lacks some advanced ripping options, such as batch processing or detailed customization of output settings.
- Ripping copyrighted DVDs may violate copyright laws, depending on your jurisdiction.
- Some users may experience slow ripping speeds or performance hiccups, especially with complex DVDs.
- VLC does not handle encrypted DVDs by default, requiring additional steps or tools to rip protected content.
- The user interface may not be as intuitive for those unfamiliar with VLC or media conversion tools.
Errors of VLC DVD Ripper
| Erros | Details |
|---|---|
| Unsupported Formats | VLC may fail to recognize or rip DVDs with certain formats or codecs. |
| Encrypted DVDs | VLC cannot rip DVDs that are protected by encryption (e.g., CSS). |
| Skipping or Freezing | The ripping process may skip or freeze, often due to scratches or damage on the DVD. |
| Audio-Video Sync Issues | Ripped videos may have audio and video that are out of sync. |
| Incomplete Ripping | The output file might be incomplete or cut off. |
| File Size Problems | Ripped files may be unexpectedly large or small. |
| Error Messages | Users may encounter specific error messages indicating problems during the ripping process. |
| Performance Issues | The ripping process may be slow or use excessive CPU resources. |
How to Rip DVD with VLC on MacOS or Windows
So how do you rip a DVD file using the VLC media player on a macOS or a Windows computer? There are a few steps you need to follow. Just follow the steps mentioned below in the order they are mentioned, and you will be able to rip DVD files using VLC with ease.
How to Use VLC to Rip DVD on MacOS
Step 1: Install VLC
Download the latest version of VLC Media Player on your Mac from the official website.
Step 2: Load the DVD to VLC
Insert the DVD you want to rip into your Mac's optical drive. Open VLC Media Player. In the main VLC interface, select Open Media. In the Open Source window, click the Disc tab and select the DVD you just inserted into the Mac's DVD drive.
Step 3: Disable DVD Menus
Next, click the "Disable DVD menus" button to prevent VLC from getting stuck in a loop while ripping the DVD menu. Then, enter the correct title and chapter of the DVD. If you're unsure of the title or chapter, you can play the DVD in a player and note the title/chapter number that is currently playing.
Step 4: Configure DVD Ripping Settings
Next, click the "Stream output" option, followed by the "Settings" button to open the output settings window. Click the "Browse" button to select the destination folder on your Mac where you want to save the ripped DVD video file. Then, navigate to the "Encapsulation Method" and Transcoding options to choose the format you want to use for ripping the DVD with VLC.
Step 5: Start Ripping DVD
After the above settings, click the "Open" button and VLC will start ripping the DVD. The progress of the ripping process will be displayed in the VLC interface.
How to Use VLC to Rip DVD on Windows
Step 1: If you have not downloaded the VLC Media Player on your computer yet, you need to download the setup file first. The system would automatically decide which VLC Media Player setup file to download based on your system specifications. Once the application has been installed, launch the VLC Media Player, and follow the next steps.
Step 2: Once you have launched the application, you will see a window that looks similar to the one displayed in the image below.
Step 3: Spot the “Media” icon present on the top-right bar. A drop-down menu will appear, and select the “Convert/Save” option displayed towards the end of the menu. Or, you can save the hassle, and simply press the following combination: “Ctrl + R”. Once you have selected the option, you will see a window that looks similar to the one shown below.
Step 4: Select the “Disc” option present in the “Open Media” window that opened after you selected the Convert/Save option discussed in the previous step. Once done, you will see a few options, similar to the one shown in the pic below.
Select the file format that you want to rip. For example, if you have a DVD, a Blu Ray or an audio CD that you want to rip. Once you have selected your preferred file format, spot the “Disc Drive” option. Click on the “Browse” option, and select the correct path that actually points to your DVD file.
Step 5: After you have ensured the correct file path, manage the other settings as per your own requirements, or leave them as they are if you have no idea how to tweak these settings.
Step 6: Once you have made all the changes as per your needs, and requirements hit the “Convert/Save” option. The VLC Media Player would then start extracting audio from DVDs.
Best VLC Alternative: DVDFab DVD Ripping Software
Now that we have discussed how to rip DVDs using VLC Media Player. But is the VLC Media Player the only software that you can use for ripping DVD files? There are plenty of other softwares on the internet that allow you to rip DVD files with ease.
DVDFab DVD Ripper software is currently one of the best software for ripping DVD to 1000+ video and audio files. When you use this DVD ripping software, you can convert any DVD into popular format as per your requirements or needs in just under 5 minutes. The excellent conversion feature of the DVDFab DVD Ripper allows you to enjoy your content in notch quality across platforms including computers, home theaters, or projectors.
How to Use the DVDFab DVD Ripper?
Now that we have discussed what the DVDFab DVD Ripper is, let us have a look at the complete user guide on how to digitize a DVD using this software.
Step 1: Downloading the DVDFab Software
In order to use the DVDFab DVD Ripper software, you are first required to download the setup file. Just head on to the DVDFab official website, and you will see the “Download” button. Select whether you want to download the setup file for Windows and Mac.
Step 2: Load the DVD, and Select the Ripper Module
Once the application has loaded successfully, spot the “Ripper” option, present on the top of the window. This would activate the Ripper mode of the DVDFab DVD Clipper application.
Step 3: Add the DVD Disc or the DVD File
Once you have selected the “Ripper” option, it is time for you to add the files to the DVDFab DVD Ripper application, so that you can initiate the conversion process. Now, when it comes to adding files for the Ripping process, you have two options to add files to the application: you can either select the “+Add” option present on the top-left corner of the window, or you can press the huge “+” icon on the center of the page.
Step 4: Select the Output Video Format
Once you have loaded the files and made the settings, you need to select the output format of the DVD file that you want to rip. To select the output format, select the “Other Profile Option”, and then, click on the “Format” option, followed by the “Video” option.
Once you have clicked the “Video” option, you will see 8 different video formats that are supported by the DVDFab DVD Ripper software. Select the video format of your preference. If you have no idea which format to select, converting DVD to MP4 is always a good choice.
Step 5: Manage the quality of the output video
You also have the option of improving the quality of the output video. If you decide to opt for the Advanced Settings option, you will be able to make use of the following settings: Frame Rate, Split, Resolution, Video Quality, Encoding Methods, Bit Rate, Subtitle settings, and more.
Conversely, if you opt for the Video Edit option, you can edit your videos in a more conventional way. The Video Edit feature allows you to add images, texts, or subtitles to your video file. It also allows you to trim the final video file, cut it, or even crop it as per your preferences.
Step 6: Select the Output Path
Once you have made all the settings we have discussed in the previous step, you need to select the output path before you can start ripping the file. If you have a look at the bottom of the DVDFab DVD Ripper application, you will spot three icons: the leftmost icon or the Disc Icon, the central icon or the folder icon.
Select the icon as per your preferences, and set the path where you want the video to be saved in the first two cases.
DVDFab DVD Ripper vs VLC DVD Ripper
| Features | DVDFab DVD Ripper | VLC DVD Ripper |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface | User-friendly and intuitive | Basic and straightforward |
| Ripping Speed | More faster | Moderate speed |
| Quality Control | Advanced options for quality settings | Basic quality options |
| Batch Processing | Yes | No |
| DVD Menu Options | Yes (customizable) | No (menus disabled by default) |
| 3D and UHD Support | Yes | No |
| Output Customization | Extensive (subtitles, audio tracks) | Basic options |
FAQs about How to Rip a DVD with VLC
VLC can struggle with ripping protected DVDs due to encryption methods like CSS (Content Scramble System). While VLC itself does not include decryption capabilities for these protections, there are additional libraries (like libdvdcss) that can be installed to enable VLC to bypass some protections. However, the legality of using such libraries varies by region, so it’s important to check local laws before proceeding. If you're dealing with heavily protected DVDs, you might consider using specialized software such as DVDFab DVD Ripper designed for that purpose.
Ripping a DVD with VLC typically takes about the same length of time as the DVD itself, as VLC lacks acceleration techniques. If you're looking for a quicker option, DVDFab DVD Ripper is a great choice. It includes multi-core hardware acceleration, allowing for ripping speeds up to six times faster.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have provided you with a detailed guide on how to rip DVDs with VLC Media Player. Additionally, we have told you about the DVDFab DVD Ripping software, and what makes it one of the best DVD to MP4 converter Mac in the market. We have also included a detailed user guide on using the DVDFab DVD Ripper, and how you can use the software to rip your favorite DVD files.
