How to Convert DVD to MKV for Free with High Quality [Steps]
Posted by Paula Pailaga to Rip DVD Aug 12, 2024
When you want to extract digital videos from DVD disc for easy playback on Windows/Mac or even mobile, you can choose to convert DVD to MKV format to keep the original high quality. MKV can also remain the DVD chapters, multiple audio/subtitle tracks, and more. All the converted DVD files will be copied in MKV container, which will not be saved forever without damage. Thus, follow this post to learn 5 efficient ways to convert DVD to MKV for free.
Guide List
Professional Way to Convert DVD to MKV with High Quality MakeMKV - Directly Rip DVD to MKV with Editing Functions How to Convert DVD to MKV for Free through Handbrake Use VLC to Convert DVD to MKV on Windows/Mac/Linux Steps to Use FFmpeg to Rip DVD to MKV by Encoding| DVD to MKV Converter | Best for | Pros | Cons |
| 4Easysoft DVD Ripper | Rip copy-protected DVD/Blu-ray disc to MKV with no quality loss. | Fast speed, even for large DVD files; Support all kinds of copy-protected disc; Upscale the output MKV video to 4K. | Only provide basic editing functions. |
| MakeMKV | Extract protected DVD movies to MKV with menus, chapters, etc. | Support most popular copy protection removals; Provide powerful editing functions to add effects and filters. | Only Support converting DVD to MKV format; Unable to compress the large output MKV files; Ripping speed is relatively slow. |
| Handbrake | Rip unprotected DVD disc to MKV and most popular formats with lossless quality. | Support exporting DVD to MKV with 1080P, 2K, and 4K; Adjust the output codec, frame rate, and more easily. | Limited output format, including MP4, MKV, WebM, and AVI; Only deal with CSS DVD after installing plugins. |
| VLC Media Player | Play and Convert DVD disc to MKV formats on Linux, Windows, and Mac. | Open-source tool for everyone to convert DVD to MKV for free; Support all video and audio formats. | Can’t load copy-protected DVDs; Only rip DVD one by one without batch conversion. |
| FFmpeg | Professionals to convert DVD to MKV with desired parameters. | Able to set output settings and even edit MKV freely; Occupy little storage space. | Very difficult to use; Can only convert the main movie file on DVD to MKV without external subtitles. |
Professional Way to Convert DVD to MKV with High Quality
When converting a DVD to MKV, you may be worried about the compression of video quality. Fortunately, 4Easysoft DVD Ripper can produce the best output quality by adjusting the output parameters as you like. Moreover, it provides more editing functions to edit the multiple audio and subtitle tracks in DVD disc.
Convert DVD to MKV video for different devices within simple clicks.
Set the MKV codec, quality, resolution, and more to keep high quality.
Able to deal with large DVD disc quickly with GPU accelaration.
Provide more editing tools to adjust the subtitle, audio, and more effects.
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Step 1Run the best DVD to MKV ripping software once you install it on your Windows/Mac. Insert a DVD into your computer drive. Click the "Load DVD" menu and then the "Load DVD Disc" button to upload DVD.
Step 2Click the "Rip All to" menu to trigger the profile dialog. Click the "MKV" format in the "Video" tab. You can also adjust video codec, resolution, and more by clicking the "Settings" button.
Step 3At last, click on the "Rip All" button to start ripping DVD to MKV. When it finishes, you can find the MKV videos from the directory in the "Save to" field.
MakeMKV - Directly Rip DVD to MKV with Editing Functions
MakeMKV is an open-source DVD ripper. It enables you to convert DVDs to MKV video files without paying a penny during the beta period. Plus, it works for most commercial movie DVDs. Also, you can rip DVDs to other video formats. Moreover, it is available on Blu-ray. Bear in mind that some countries do not allow ripping commercial DVDs. You’d better learn the local regulations in your country before using MakeMKV.
Step 1Insert the DVD into your computer, and launch the free DVD to MKV converter. Click the "Source" drop-down list and choose the desired DVD to rip.
Step 2After the DVD loads, click the "Disc" button to move on. Select the titles that you want to handle, and set an output folder by clicking the "Folder" button. Then click the "Make MKV" button.
How to Convert DVD to MKV for Free through Handbrake
HandBrake is another open-source project. It can convert homemade DVDs to MKV video files. If you want to rip commercial DVDs, you have to install the decryption library "libdvdcss" on your computer too. Moreover, the setup is a bit complicated for average people. You can also rip your DVDs to IOS images as backup files.
Step 1Start the free DVD to MKV converter, and insert a DVD into your computer. Click the "Open Source" menu, and choose your DVD drive.
Step 2Go to the "Summary" tab, choose "MKV" from the "Format" option, and select the desired codec and quality from the "Presets" option. Last, click the "Start Encode" button to convert DVD to MKV with high quality.
Use VLC to Convert DVD to MKV on Windows/Mac/Linux
VLC is a popular open-source media player with lots of bonus functionalities. It can play MKV video files, convert between MKV and other media formats, and rip DVD to MKV without extra codec. If you already have it on your desktop and do not mind the output quality, it is an option to convert DVDs to MKV video files. Here are the steps:
Step 1Put a DVD into your computer. Go to the "Media" menu in VLC, and choose "Convert / Save".
Step 2Switch to the "Disc" tab, select "DVD", and click the "Browse" button to select your DVD drive. Click the "Convert / Save" button.
Step 3Expand the "Profile" drop-down list, and select "MKV" format. You can also choose different codec for MKV format, including H. 264, H. 265, VP9, etc. Finally, click the "Start" button.
Steps to Use FFmpeg to Rip DVD to MKV by Encoding
FFmpeg is also a free way to convert DVD to MKV formats on Windows/Mac/Linux. But it’s relatively difficult for most people, and it can’t deal with copy-protected DVD discs. If you have knowledge about encoding, you can follow the detailed steps below to rip DVD to MKV:
Step 1After downloading and installing FFmpeg from the official website, you should find the VOB file from the DVD disc first.
Note:There are may be several VOB files in the DVD disc. Normally, the movie file is always the largest one, which is the one you need to convert.
Step 2Then, you can enter the following command in FFmpeg to convert DVD to MKV for free. You should note that the audio format, codec, and more parameters can be changed according to your need.
ffmpeg -i [File Name].VOB -b:v 1500k -r 30 -vcodec h264 -strict -2 -acodec aac -ar 44100 -f MKV [File Name].MKV
Conclusion
This guide has demonstrated 5 ways to convert DVDs to MKV video files. Since MKV is a lossless video container and stores multiple tracks and subtitles, it is a popular output format when digitizing DVDs. From the compasion, you will find that 4Easysoft DVD Ripper can produce impressive output quality while keeping small size. Download it now to have a try!
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