5 Best Ways to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac & Windows (2023)

"My computer is not equipped with a DVD hard drive at all… I wanna if I can convert DVD to MP4 so that I can directly play the videos without carrying an external hard drive everywhere. Anybody help?"

You may also meet similar trouble. Absolutely, it sometimes can be quite inconvenient when you desire to play DVD without an external hard drive. So instead of carrying DVD discs or the hard drive everywhere, some of you would rather to convert DVD to MP4 so that you can transfer the videos for streaming at anytime and anywhere with an installed media player.

Hence, today’s blog has collected the 5 best useful ways to convert DVD to MP4 on Windows/Mac. If you also need help, get started and grasp how!

Contents

Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac/PC Lossless (Protected & Homemade)

To convert DVD to MP4 is not a difficult task, but a problem is that a majority of DVD discs sold on the market are encrypted by region codes or different protection methods like DRM, APS, CSS, ARccOS, CPRM, AACS, BD+, and Cinavia. Hence, you need help from a DVD to MP4 converter that is able to decrypt these protections to ensure converting DVD to MP4 successfully.

Here, VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper is strongly recommended, for its powerful ability to decrypt all types of DVD protections to convert encrypted DVD to MP4 and other 300+ formats without hassle. Better still, you will get the output file that keeps the original image and audio quality, which gives you a cinema-like experience at home on the computer.

In addition, VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper also provides flexible parameter setting options and a built-in editor, enabling you to freely adjust and edit videos before ripping them from DVD discs. With this best DVD ripper, you are able to ensure the best output effects to convert DVD to MP4 for having the best playback experience afterwards.

All Great Features of VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper

  • Compatible with homemade and protected DVDs conversion (all protection methods supported);
  • Maintain lossless quality to convert DVD to MP4 and other 300+ formats at 1:1 ratio;
  • Full preservation of all subtitles as well as audio tracks for you;
  • Equipped with multiple hardware accelerations to speed up the DVD to MP4 convert to at least 6X faster;
  • Flexible parameter settings to define video ripping condition as you desire;
  • Built-in editor available to adjust video effects before converting DVD to MP4.

Now, let's have a try at VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper and learn how to convert DVD to MP4 on Windows/Mac without hassle!

The detailed guide is also provided here to guide you convert DVD to MP4 via VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper in 3 steps:

STEP 1. Insert and Load DVD

Once installing VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper on desktop, launch it and insert your DVD disc first. Then in the software, click "Load DVD" > "Load DVD Disc" to import DVD data right away.

Load DVD

STEP 2. Select DVD Titles and Subtitles to Convert

Once the DVD is loaded in the software, you are able to click the "Full Title List" menu to choose the videos you desire to convert to DVD exactly. By default, all videos will be selected.

Full Title List

After that, by clicking on the audio tracks as well as subtitles options below the listed media, you can also choose the ones to convert with the DVD videos if you need.

Choose Subtitle

STEP 3. Select MP4 Format and Convert 

Now, turn to the upper-right "Rip All to" drop-down menu and select MP4 as well as your desired resolution to convert DVD to MP4. Finally, simply hit the "Rip All" icon and VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper will process to complete DVD to MP4 conversion for you within minutes right away!

Tip: If you want to convert DVD to other MPEG files, please check this post.

Choose Output Format

New Version Released:

VideoByte has just released VideoByte DVD Ripper to be the alternative to VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper. If you just need a tool to rip DVD without ripping Blu-ray features, this lightweight DVD ripper is a reliable choice.

Tips: The only difference between VideoByte DVD Ripper and VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper is the former does not support the Blu-rays.

Convert DVD to MP4 with HandBrake (Homemade Only)

If you get a protection-free DVD disc, then selecting the free DVD to MP4 converter, HandBrake, is also a good option. HandBrake is one of the best free DVD rippers performing to convert DVD to various formats such as MP4 with easy-to-grasp steps. The software also provides various parameter settings, enabling you to convert DVD to MP4 in any quality as you like. Even though HandBrake is not compatible with encrypted DVD ripping, it is still a good choice to convert protection-free DVD to MP4. Now, take a look at the following to see its pros and cons.

STEP 1. Install HandBrake

HandBrake works on Mac running 10.13 and later and computer running Windows 10 and later. If your device isn't supported, try VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper for professional experience. Please download and install HandBrake before the next step.

Install HandBrake on Computer

STEP 2. Open DVD on HandBrake

Now, launch the program and insert the DVD. Select the DVD to custom interface where you can change the preset, apply filter, create chapter markers and more to explore.

Open DVD On Handbrake

STEP 3. Convert DVD to MP4

HandBrake supports limited output formats including MP4, MKV, and WebM. Select the output format to MP4 and change to the storing path. Now, you can click Start Encode button right in the middle and just wait till it's done. Note that HandBrake is not a fast DVD converter if you don't want to compromise with the output quality.

Rip Blu-ray with HandBrake

Pros and Cons of Handbrake

Pros:

  • Free to use and open source.
  • Average decoding speed.
  • Support batch conversion.
  • Support in-built presets.

Cons:

  • Cannot convert encrypted and commercial DVDs.
  • Possibly lead to quality loss.
  • Limited system supported.
  • No tech support.

Rip DVD to MP4 on Mac/PC with VLC Free

Like HandBrake, another free option workable to help you convert DVD to MP4 is VLC. The software is well-known for its media player feature, but actually, its hidden format converter is also helpful if you need to convert protection-free DVD to MP4 and other mainstream formats. As VLC is compatible with different device systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux, you are able to install it and process the DVD to MP4 conversion on more devices. Now, check the guide below and grasp how to rip DVD to MP4 via VLC on desktop:

STEP 1. Install VLC Media Player

Download VLC from the official site here. It can run on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup.

Install VLC

STEP 2. Load DVD in VLC

Run VLC media player and load the DVD you want to rip on computer. Now, select Media - Convert / Save from the menu on VLC. Next, go to Disc section and choose DVD. You should be able to choose your DVD when the computer reads the DVD.

VLC Load DVD

STEP 3. Free convert DVD to MP4 Using VLC

You are allowed to adjust the starting position by titles and chapters. Or, if you just want to rip part of the video on DVD, you can check up Show more options and set up the start time & stop time. When you're all set, click Convert / Save button to start converting DVD to MP4.

Convert DVD with VLC

Pros and Cons of VLC

Pros:

  • Free to use.
  • Both a media player and DVD converter.
  • Satisfying decoding speed.

Cons:

  • Cannot convert some encrypted and commercial DVDs.
  • Possibly lead to quality loss.
  • Not that easy to operate.

Rip DVD to MP4 on Windows with Freemake

With an intuitive interface designed, Freemake also delivers the simplest way to help you convert DVD to MP4 freely without hassle. Its clear on-screen instructions enable every beginner to get started with the process without any confusion. However, as Freemake only provides a Windows version, it is a pity that you are not allowed to install it if you are a Mac or other device system users.

Now, also go through the brief guide to learn how Freemake performs to convert DVD to MP4 on Windows for you just by several easy clicks:

STEP 1. Import DVD to Freemake

When you have well installed Freemake on your desktop, launch the software and then insert the DVD disc to PC. You should click the "+DVD" button on the main interface and select loading DVD disc.

Freemake DVD Ripper

STEP 2. Set up Output Parameters

After loading DVD media in Freemake, now you are available to customize the parameter settings before starting converting DVD to MP4. In the setting window, it is also possible for you to select an output folder to preserve the converted MP4 videos as you desire.

Convert DVD With Freemake

STEP 3. Convert DVD to MP4

Finally, when all settings are completed, you are able to tap the "Convert" icon to process converting DVD to MP4 right away.

NOTE: Freemake will take a bit longer time to complete the conversion process as it is not equipped with any hardware acceleration tech like VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper does. Also, Freemake is not available for Mac users to install. If you desire a faster way to convert DVD to MP4 on Mac or Windows more efficiently, you’d better turn to more professional converter like VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper to help.

Pros and Cons of Freemake

Pros:

  • Entirely free DVD to MP4 converter without requiring to pay a penny;
  • Intuitive design and easy-to-grasp operations;
  • Flexible parameter settings provided.

Cons:

  • Slow converting speed;
  • Less formats available to select;
  • No editing features equipped.

Convert DVD to MP4 Online Without Effort

Instead of installing an extra software to convert DVD to MP4, selecting a DVD to MP4 converter online is also a good idea. Here, ConvertFiles is recommended as a reliable online tool that works reliably to convert DVD to MP4 online freely for you. Although compared with desktop software like VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper, the online option can be a bit not stable and in lower successful rate, it is still a convenient DVD to MP4 converter if you don’t want to install any software. Now, you can go through the 2-step guide below and see how to use it:

STEP 1. Open ConvertFiles in Browser

Just direct to the official site of ConvertFiles and read your DVD on computer. Click Browse to choose the DVD.

Load DVD in ConvertFiles

STEP 2. Convert DVD to MP4

Click the blank next to Output format to choose MP4 as output format. There are other formats like MOV, AVI, 3GP, MPEG, FLV, WMV, M4V and so on. Then, click the Convert button and choose the path to store the MP4 file. Since the site processes data over the cloud, that may take from minutes to hours to process your conversion.

Note that you can let the site send a download link to your email.

Pros and Cons of ConvertFiles

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Free to use
  • No need to download software.

Cons:

  • Easy to crash
  • Slow decoding process
  • Flood with ads

Comparison Between All Methods to Convert DVD to MP4

So far, all ways to help you easily convert DVD to MP4 are fully introduced here. Which one gives you the best impression? If you are still hesitant to make a decision, here's a chart of comparison among the 5 methods to help you dismiss the hesitation.

Methods
Encrypted DVD Supported
Quality
Conversion Speed
Ease of Use
Rating
Yes, fully support
Lossless
6X faster
Yes
5
HandBrake
No
High
Fast
No
3
VLC
Yes, partly support
Normal
Normal
Yes
4
Freemake
No
High
Normal
Yes
4
ConvertFiles
No
Normal
Slow
Yes
3

FAQs of Converting DVD to MP4

Still have problems in converting DVD to MP4? Grasp these FAQs and see if they can help.

Q1: How long will it take to convert DVD to MP4?

A: This can base on how long the DVD videos are. Normally, the longer the video is, it takes longer time to process the conversion. Of course, if you select a reliable DVD ripper with powerful acceleration teches like VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper can provide, the time spent on converting DVD to MP4 will be shorten.

Q2: Is it legal to convert DVD to MP4?

A: It is noted that if you only convert DVD to MP4 for personal usage, then the action is completely legal. But when you use the converted videos for any commercial purpose and lead to actual loss of the DVD providers/merchants, you are actually against the copyright law unexpectedly. So make sure that you only convert DVD to MP4 for personal use.

Q3: Are there online tools to convert DVD to MP4?

A: Surely. Like the introduced ConvertFiles can work to convert DVD to MP4 online for you. But as online converters will perform less stably, so if you desire higher success rate to convert DVD to MP4, it is still recommended for you to choose a professional desktop DVD to MP4 converter like VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper.

Conclusion

After going through all ways to convert DVD to MP4, now you get more options to back up DVD videos or make the playback to be more flexible. To process the conversion in a stable, secure, and high-quality way, VideoByte BD-DVD Ripper is still highly recommended. Now, install it for free and give it a try!