Which is the Best to Rip DVD to MP4? Handbrake or WinX DVD Ripper?

As we know, MP4 is a widely supported video format used by a wide range of devices, applications, and websites. Converting your DVD to MP4 is helpful if you want to watch, modify, or share your DVDs.

However, if you’ve ever attempted to rip a DVD, you know just how tough it is. A large number of applications are available to perform the job, but only a select few are completely flawless. 

In some cases, the software will function, while in others, severe copyright restrictions will prevent it from working, and in still other cases, the procedure will take a long time to finish. In other cases, the ripping procedure may generate errors, producing nothing but irritation and a huge waste of time.

DVD to MP4 Ripping Problems You Might Run Into

Loading DVD Fails
It’s true. Some so-called DVD rippers cannot even load your DVD for ripping.

Long Time in Ripping
DVD video to MP4 ripping speed is subject to both the DVD ripper’s performance and the machine setup. The more powerful the computer is, the quicker the encoding process will be. How long does your DVD ripper take to rip a DVD?

Partial Ripping
Sometimes the ripping quits halfway. This may be because of the DVD copy protection, or bad sector in a DVD.

Bad Video Quality
When DVD ripping, the video will be re-encoded and the quality will be lost as a result. However, some DVD rippers give you really bad results? Are you satisfied with your output quality?

Handbrake and WinX DVD Ripper

Handbrake and WinX DVD Ripper are two of the best options available when it comes to digitalizing DVDs.

Handbrake is widely used as a free DVD ripper among users on all three major operating systems. If you have libdvdcss installed on your computer, Handbrake can rip CSS and region-locked DVDs to MP4 and MKV for free. There are additional choices available for exact encoding settings, effects, parameter modification, and so on, however, there is a learning curve associated with these options.

WinX DVD Ripper is an outstanding tool for ripping any DVD, even those with stringent copyright restrictions. It’s the fastest and provides the highest quality MP4 video. Moreover, it can convert and extract video files from DVDs in all the standard formats, including MOV, MP4, AVI, MKV, and more. Another useful feature is the ability to edit videos in a variety of ways, such as cut, rotate, and apply watermarks.

So, which is better in ripping DVDs to MP4? Handbrake or WinX DVD Ripper? Let’s check it out. 

Rip Encrypted DVDs to MP4 With Handbrake

Because of copyright law, Handbrake is unable to provide the necessary solution to decode copy-protected DVDs. To use this free DVD ripper, we’ll be utilizing the tool named libdvdcss. libdvdcss is a component of the VideoLAN project that is capable of reading and decrypting DVDs that have been encrypted using region codes and CSS. It can also be used in Handbrake to decrypt and read your encrypted DVDs.

Install libdvdcss

Download libdvdcss.dll from the below link according to your system: 

For Windows, copy the .dll file to your Handbrake program folder. By default, it should be C:\Program Files\HandBrake.

For macOS, you need to use Homebrew and execute the below command in Terminal:

brew install libdvdcss

brew command

[Free Tutorial] Rip Protected DVD to MP4 with Handbrake

It’s time to start ripping protected DVDs to MP4 with Handbrake now that you’ve installed libdvdcss.

Step 1. Open Handbrake and choose your DVD drive from the sidebar menu. This process will take a few moments while Handbrake scans through the titles on your DVD. Wait for this procedure to be completed before continuing. 

Step 2. Select the Fast 576P 30 or Fast 480P 30 for DVD ripping from the Presets-General. 

Step 3. Click Browse and go to the location where you want to store the resulting MP4 file.

Step 4. Then, in the toolbar above, choose Start Encode from the menu.

Handbrake DVD to MP4

FREE Decrypt any DVD with MakeMKV

If installing libdvdcss is a bit complicated for you, you try can MakeMKV.

MakeMKV is a popular program used to decrypt and convert DVDs and Blu-ray discs to MKV files. It can bypass the copy protection found on DVDs and Blu-ray discs, allowing you to make personal backups of your legally owned media. 

Importantly, it is FREE for DVD decrypting. 

To decrypt a DVD using MakeMKV, follow these steps:

Step 1. Download and install MakeMKV: Visit the MakeMKV website to download the latest version of the software for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Install the software by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 2. Insert the DVD into your computer’s DVD drive: Ensure that your computer has a DVD drive compatible with the disc you want to decrypt. If your computer does not have a built-in DVD drive, you can use an external USB DVD drive.

Step 3. Launch MakeMKV: Open the MakeMKV software on your computer.

Step 4. Load the DVD: MakeMKV should automatically detect the DVD you have inserted. If not, click the “File” menu and select “Open Disc,” then choose the appropriate drive.

makemkv load blu ray pc

Step 5. Analyze the DVD: MakeMKV will scan the DVD and display a list of titles and chapters. It will automatically select the main title, which usually contains the movie or main content of the DVD.

makemkv title info

Step 6. Choose output directory: Click the folder icon next to the “Output Folder” field and select a directory where you want the MKV file to be saved. Make sure there’s enough free space on your hard drive to accommodate the output file.

Step 7. Start the decryption process: Click the “Make MKV” button to begin decrypting the DVD and converting it to an MKV file. This process can take some time, depending on the speed of your computer and DVD drive.

Step 8. Wait for the process to complete: MakeMKV will display the progress of the decryption and conversion process. Once it’s done, you will find the MKV file in the output folder you specified earlier.

How to rip DVD to MP4 With WinX DVD Ripper

DVD ripping with WinX DVD Ripper is much easier. No additional programs or addons are prerequisites.

Once the software has been installed and launched, please put your DVD into your DVD-ROM to get ready.

Step 1. Click on the “DVD Disc”, “ISO Image” or the “Folder” button to load a disc, DVD ISO, or DVD VIDEO_TS folder. A dialogue window prompts you to choose the source disc. Click OK.

Load DVD

Step 2. The Output Profile window will appear after the title is identified. Select “MP4 Video” from the list of General profiles as recommended.

Step 3. Click the large blue “RUN” button to begin the conversion from DVD to MP4. The ripping will run at a frame rate of about 150fps to 350fps. The more powerful machine you are using, the faster.

Which is the best to rip DVD to MP4? Handbrake or WinX DVD?

Both Handbrake and WinX DVD Ripper are popular tools for ripping DVDs to MP4 files, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a comparison of the two to help you decide which one might be better for your needs:

Handbrake:

  1. Free and open-source software, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  2. Supports a wide range of input formats and can convert DVDs and videos to various output formats, including MP4 and MKV.
  3. Offers advanced options for video compression and quality settings, allowing for better control over the final output.
  4. Can include subtitles and multiple audio tracks in the output file.
  5. Has a steeper learning curve due to its advanced settings and options.

WinX DVD Ripper:

  1. No free version. But the paid version offers more features and faster processing.
  2. Supports Windows and macOS.
  3. Provides a more user-friendly interface, making it easier for beginners to use.
  4. Offers a range of output formats, including MP4, AVI, WMV, and others.
  5. Provides built-in device profiles for easier conversion to specific devices, such as iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
  6. Faster DVD ripping compared to Handbrake, especially with the paid version.

In summary, if you’re looking for a free and open-source solution with advanced options and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, Handbrake is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more user-friendly interface and faster ripping times, WinX DVD Ripper might be a better option, especially if you’re willing to pay for the premium version.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your preferences, technical skills, and budget. You can try both tools to see which one works best for your needs.

Editor's Choice for DVD ripping

I’d like to use MakeMKV to decrypt the DVD to MKV and then use Handbrake to re-convert the MKV to MP4 for better compatibility with other devices. All free. 

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