[Technology] Tech help needed - DVD to MacBook

Withdean and I

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2003

1,347

• Oct 23, 2019

• #1

I have a large file of home movies on DVD. I’m aware that over time they may deteriorate or get damaged so I’d like to get them copied somehow so I can store them digitally.

Everywhere I’ve looked online seems way to complex plus also uses software I’m not even sure I want to download.

Anyone got any thoughts on how to do this?

Cheers.

 

schmunk

"Members"

Jan 19, 2018

9,496

Mid mid mid Sussex

• Oct 23, 2019

• #2

Handbrake is excellent free software for this.

https://handbrake.fr/downloads.php

 

R

Raphael Meade

Well-known member

Jul 5, 2003

4,125

Shoreham/LA

• Oct 24, 2019

• #3

schmunk said:

Handbrake is excellent free software for this.

https://handbrake.fr/downloads.php

Click to expand...

Seconded. Encoded my entire DVD collection using this back in the day, and used again recently for some I found and does an excellent job!

 

happypig

Staring at the rude boys

May 23, 2009

7,959

Eastbourne

• Oct 24, 2019

• #4

I use MakeMKV to rip the DVD to mkv files then handbrake to convert to whatever format.

 

Is it PotG?

Thrifty non-licker

Feb 20, 2017

23,299

Sussex by the Sea

• Oct 24, 2019

• #5

I thought it was naughty to rip DRM protected media.

 

bhafc99

Well-known member

Oct 14, 2003

7,085

Dubai

• Oct 24, 2019

• #6

Handbrake looks slightly technical at first, but really isn’t - and is an excellent piece of software.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

BNthree

Plastic JCL

Sep 14, 2016

10,879

WeHo

• Oct 24, 2019

• #7

Is it PotG? said:

I thought it was naughty to rip DRM protected media.

Click to expand...

I believe making backup copies of media you've bought is generally considered acceptable. If you then stick your entire film library on a file sharing site that isn't acceptable.

 

schmunk

"Members"

Jan 19, 2018

9,496

Mid mid mid Sussex

• Oct 24, 2019

• #8

happypig said:

I use MakeMKV to rip the DVD to mkv files then handbrake to convert to whatever format.

Click to expand...

Good point - I'd forgotten that Handbrake doesn't normally do the ripping, but it looks like in this case it will work standalone, as there shouldn't be any copy protection on the OP's home movie files?

 

E

East Staffs Gull

Well-known member

Jan 16, 2004

1,421

Birmingham and Austria

• Oct 24, 2019

• #9

I’d like to do similar. Can I hook the DVD player up to the Mac, or do I need to buy a DVD driver?

 

happypig

Staring at the rude boys

May 23, 2009

7,959

Eastbourne

• Oct 24, 2019

• #10

schmunk said:

Good point - I'd forgotten that Handbrake doesn't normally do the ripping, but it looks like in this case it will work standalone, as there shouldn't be any copy protection on the OP's home movie files?

Click to expand...

I cannot remember whether I used handbrake to rip my home movies (after transferring from VHS to DVD) but I definately had to use MakeMKV to rip all my Bilko DVDs.

East Staffs Gull said:

I’d like to do similar. Can I hook the DVD player up to the Mac, or do I need to buy a DVD driver?

Click to expand...

Best to buy an external drive. I have an Apple Superdrive which has mixed reviews but it's always worked fine for me.

 

Withdean and I

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2003

1,347

• Oct 24, 2019

• Thread starter
• #11

Thank for the advice. Handbrake worked really well today and was very straightforward. Used my Apple SuperDrive. Now happy to have a digital backup of some old family films!