How to Convert DVD to Digital: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

In this digital age, converting DVDs to digital is a great way to save your movie collections and watch them on modern devices. If you’re wondering how to convert DVD to MKV or looking for the best DVD to digital converters, this guide has you covered. We’ll look at various tools including paid and free DVD to digital software. While paid software comes with more features and faster speed, free software is great for techies, those on a budget or those with basic needs.

Necessity of DVD to Digital File Conversion

DVD to digital conversion is the process of taking the content from a physical DVD and converting it into a digital file format like MP4, MKV or AVI. This means extracting the movie, audio and video from the DVD and saving it on a computer or in the cloud. Once converted, you can watch the converted media on various devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets and smart TVs without a DVD player.

So why convert your DVDs to digital? Here are some reasons:

Easier Access: Watch your media anytime, anywhere without a physical DVD player.
Convenience: Watch your movies and shows on multiple devices like smartphones, tablets and computers.
Protection Against Damage: Protect your content from wear, scratches and other damages that physical DVDs may experience over time.
Space Saving: Free up physical space by not having to store DVDs.
Easy Sharing: Share your media files with friends and family effortlessly without having to hand over physical discs.
Safe Content Backups: Create safe backups of your media so it’s preserved even if the original DVD is lost or damaged.

How to Convert DVD to Digital with Dedicated Software

Specialized software is the best solution for converting DVDs to digital. Tools like DVDFab DVD Ripper, WinX DVD Ripper, and MacX DVD Ripper Pro are designed to handle large collections and come with advanced features, such as customizable output formats like MP4 or MKV, high speed, and options to bypass copy protection. Here are some of the best dedicated DVD to digital converters.

DVDFab DVD Ripper

Rating (Trustpilot): 4.6/5
Price: $59.49 Lifetime License
Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32/64 bit) & macOS 10.10 - later

DVDFab DVD Ripper is a powerful tool that can convert DVDs to digital formats with over 1000 video and audio formats. It ensures lossless conversion and has over 260 presets for devices from top brands like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Huawei, Samsung, and Sony. The software also supports batch conversion, you can rip multiple DVDs at once without losing video or audio quality.

PROS

Can remove the latest copy protection from DVDs. Rip to 3D, Passthrough, 4K/5K/8K, H265, 10/12 bit and other default MP4 profiles

Plus, 260+ preset devices and 1000+ video and audio output formats are supported

Choose whatever chapters, titles, audio files, and subtitles you wish to rip

Faster batch conversion is available through the utilization of multi-core CPUs, allowing for up to 50x faster conversion speeds

Improve media server management by automatically synchronizing the original metadata information when converting

Provide a built-in video editor with features like cropping, brightening, adding external subtitles, speeding up or down, etc

CONS

Only MP4 and MKV formats available in free version.

How to Convert DVD to Digital using DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1: Download DVDFab DVD Ripper on Mac or Windows

If you haven’t already, download and install DVDFab from the official website.
After installation, run the application.

Step 2: Insert the DVD

Choose the “Ripper” module.
Then, insert the DVD into your computer’s drive.
The software will then automatically load the content and decrypt any copy protection that may have been applied. If you have an ISO file or a folder, drag and drop it into the software.

Step 3: Select an Output Format

Use "Choose Other Profile" to select a format for a specific device or choose one of the formats directly.

To adjust video, audio, subtitle, click “Advanced Settings” to customize as needed.

Step 4: Set Output Destination and Start Conversion

At the bottom, click “Folder” to select where you want to save the output video (e.g. a folder or mobile device).
Click “Start” to convert.
Wait for completion

WinX DVD Ripper

Rating (Trustpilot): 4.5/5
Price: $65.95 Lifetime License
Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32/64 bit) & macOS 10.5 - later

WinX DVD Ripper is another tool to convert DVDs to digital formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, with profiles for mobile devices and game consoles. It can handle encrypted DVDs and bypass CSS and region codes, so you can backup or watch DVDs on devices without a disc drive. With its fast conversion speed and ease of useness, you can convert DVDs into high quality digital files for playback on TVs, tablets, smartphones anytime and anywhere.

PROS

It leverages GPU support and hardware acceleration for fast conversions

Includes advanced tools such as 1:1 DVD copying, ISO file creation, and batch converting

Bypasses region codes, DRM, other security on commercial DVDs

Convert to 350+ formats: MP4, MKV, AVI etc.

Preserves original audio and visual quality, even when converting HD content

CONS

High-performance features may use a lot of system resources

Unable to bypass all types of copy protections

The licensing terms can be unclear for some users

The free trial restricts video rips to five minutes and excludes protected DVDs

How to Use WinX DVD Ripper to Convert a DVD to Digital

Step 1: Install WinX DVD Ripper and finish the registration process.

Step 2: Put the DVD into the DVD drive on your PC. Click the "DVD Disc" icon to load the DVD after opening the app. DVD folders or ISO files can also be used.

Step 3: Choose the Output Format, select the preferred digital file type, such as WMV, AVI, or MP4.

Step 4: If necessary, change the audio settings, codecs, subtitles, and video resolution.

Step 5: Select the Output Folder, decide where to store the digital file that will be converted. To start converting the DVD to a digital format, click "RUN".

Cisdem Video Converter

Rating (Trustpilot): 4/5
Price: $69.99 Lifetime License
Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32/64 bit) & macOS 10.13 - later

Cisdem Video Converter is a powerful tool to convert DVDs to digital formats on Windows and macOS. It supports all kinds of DVDs, including those with copy protection and region codes, and convert them into over 600 formats like MP4, MKV and MP3. With video editing, batch processing and audio extraction, it’s an all-in-one solution to rip DVDs and convert media with ease.

PROS

Supports over 600 video and audio formats, including both popular and rare ones

Converts videos without losing quality, and the built-in video enhancement can even improve the video quality

Fast conversion speed, with an engine that’s 30 times faster than before

CONS

The Windows version occasionally crashes and needs improvement

The interface is too simple, making it hard to find and click buttons like "Convert" or format settings

The free version only lets you convert half of your video or audio file. For files longer than 10 minutes, you can only convert up to 5 minutes

How to Use Cisdem Video Converter to Convert a DVD to Digital

Step 1: First, download and install Cisdem Video Converter on your PC. Once installed, open the app and switch to the DVD conversion interface

Step 2: Load DVD Titles

Put the DVD you want to convert into your computer’s DVD drive. If your computer lacks an optical drive, connect an external USB DVD drive..
Next, drag and drop the DVD icon or folder into the app. After analysis, the DVD titles, along with video information and thumbnails will be displayed.

Step 3: Select Output Format

Click “Convert all tasks to” and choose the output format from Video, Audio or Device (e.g. MP4). Choose the preferred quality option from the right column.

Step 4: Customize Settings (Optional)

If the DVD has multiple audio tracks or subtitles, you can select your preferred audio track and language by clicking the corresponding boxes.
For commercial DVDs, tick the main title (the longest one) if you don’t need extra content like trailers or behind-the-scenes footage, which will speed up the conversion.
If desired, click the "Edit" icon to trim, crop, adjust colors, embed subtitles, and make other simple edits.

Step 5: Convert DVD to Digital

Click the "Start" button at the lower-right corner to begin converting your DVD to a digital format. If you want to combine selected titles into one file, check the "Merge" option next to the Start button.

How to Convert DVD to Digital for Free

Free software is a good way to change DVDs to digital files for people who are tight on cash. You can digitize DVDs for free with well-known programs like MakeMKV and VLC Media Player.

MakeMKV

Supported OS: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Price: $50 Lifetime License
Rating (Trustpilot): 3.5/5

MakeMKV is a popular free DVD ripping software for Windows, Mac and Linux that converts DVDs to digital MKV files. It’s lossless and high quality, no compression. So the converted files are big. MakeMKV is limited to MKV format, so if you need other file types, it’s not for you. Also, it doesn’t have options to edit the output video, like trimming or cropping. But still it’s a great free software to convert DVDs to MKV files.

PROS

Free to use without any hidden costs

Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux

Preserves the original video and audio quality

Can decrypt protected DVDs with AACS, and BD+ protection

CONS

Only supports MKV format for output

Generates large, uncompressed files

Lacks editing or customization features

Requires updates or registration keys for new versions

How to Digitize DVDs for free using MakeMKV

Step 1: Download and set up MakeMKV on your computer. Open the app once installed.

Step 2: Place the DVD into your computer's DVD drive. The software will analyze the DVD and display its information.

Step 3: Click the large disc icon to load the DVD. The DVD content will be displayed in a tree structure in the left panel.

Step 4: Select the desired titles, audio tracks, and subtitles. The largest file is usually the main movie.

Step 5: Click the folder icon to choose where you want to save the converted digital file.

Step 6: Click the “Make MKV” icon to begin converting the DVD into a digital MKV file, removing copy protection in the process.

VLC Media Player

Supported OS: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Price: $50 Lifetime License
Rating (Trustpilot): 3.5/5

VLC Media Player is not only a media player but also a DVD converter that can convert DVDs to MP4, WMV and WebM without additional codec packs. But it’s not the easiest to use and has some limitations. It can only handle basic DVD protections like CSS and region codes and doesn’t have options to customize settings like resolution or bitrate. And the conversion process can take as long as the movie itself.

PROS

It is free of charge and compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux

Supports a wide range of video formats and can convert ISO images and VIDEO_TS folders to MP4 or other formats

Offers basic video editing tools to polish the resulting video

Safe and reputable with a dedicated community of developers who regularly update the software

CONS

Digitizing DVDs can take a long time, with the duration varying based on the computer's speed and DVD size

Strictly protected DVDs are not supported

Setting up conversion sessions can be challenging

How to Convert DVD to Digital using VLC Media Player

Step 1: Insert your DVD into the computer's drive, then open VLC. Navigate to "Media" > "Convert / Save..." > "Disc" and select the DVD you just inserted.

Step 2: Once the disc is selected, click on the "Convert / Save" button, which will take you to the "Convert" window.

Step 3: In the "Profile" section, choose your desired output format and set the destination folder for saving the converted files. After that, click "Start" to begin converting the DVD to a digital file.

How to Convert DVD to Digital via Online Tools

Online tools can't directly convert DVDs into digital files. First, we need to rip the DVD into VOB format, and then we can use online tools to convert the VOB file into a digital format. Below are some of the most popular online tools for converting VOB files to digital formats.

CloudConvert

Link: https://cloudconvert.com/vob-converter
Cost: Starting from $9.00 per mont

FreeConvert

Link: https://www.freeconvert.com/vob-converter
Cost: Starting from $12.99 per month

Convertio

Link: https://convertio.co/vob-converter/
Cost: Starting from $9.99 per month

PROS

You don't have to run any software

It's simple to use for small files

Online, and can be accessed easily using a web browser

CONS

It takes too long to upload large files

The conversion speed is slower compared to offline tools

Since you're uploading your files, privacy may be a concern

How to Convert DVD to Digital using CloudConvert

Since most online tools have similar steps to convert VOB to digital formats, we'll use CloudConvert as an example:

Step 1: Open your web browser.

Step 2: Go to one of the links above to convert VOB to a digital format.

Step 3: Choose the digital format you want.

Step 4: Click "Select File" to choose and upload the VOB file(s) you wish to convert.

Step 5: After choosing the file, click "Convert" to begin.

Step 6: After the conversion is completed, download the converted file to your computer.

Online tools work best for people who only need to convert small amounts of files occasionally.

How to Convert DVD to Digital via Offline Services

If you'd prefer not to do it yourself, you can have your DVDs professionally digitized at places like Walmart Photo Center, CVS Photo, and other stores that offer media conversion services. This option is great for handling large or complex DVD projects, and you can get good results with minimal effort. Here are more details about some of the best DVD to digital services:

Walmart Photo Center

Link: https://www.dvdwalmart.com/pages/services-pricing
Cost: Starting at USD 12.96 per DVD
Output Formats: MPEG1, MPEG2, AVI, Quicktime, WMV, JPEG

CVS Photo

Link: https://www.cvsyesdvd.com/services-and-pricing
Cost: Starting from $25.99 per DVD
Output Formats: MPEG1, MPEG2, AVI, Quicktime, WMV, JPEG

Digiraw

Link: https://www.digiraw.com/DVD-4K-Bluray-ripping-service/price-list/
Cost: Starting from $4.50 per DVD
Output Formats: MP4, MKV

Steps to convert DVD to Digital using offline service:

Go to the website of a service provider to place an order for DVD to digital conversion.
Bring your DVDs to the service provider in person or mail them.
You can receive the digital files on a USB drive, a portable hard drive, or in the cloud.

These services are convenient, but they usually cost more than do-it-yourself methods.

Comparing the Best Methods for Digitizing DVDs

Method	Pros	Cons	Best For
Dedicated Software	High-quality, customizable settings	Requires installation and cost	Frequent users, large collections
Free Tools	No cost, simple features	Limited speed and advanced features	Budget-conscious or casual users
Online Tools	No installation, easy to use	File size limits, privacy concerns	Small-scale, occasional conversions
Offline Services	Hands-off, professional results	Costly, slower turnaround	Users with complex or large collections

FAQs

What are the best formats for storing DVDs digitally?

MP4 and MKV are the best files because they offer excellent quality, compression, and support with a wide range of devices.

Can I rip a DVD with multiple discs into one digital file?

Yes, it is possible to convert multiple DVD discs into a single file. Some conversion software, like DVDFab DVD Ripper and MakeMKV, supports merging the content from multiple discs into one digital file for easier access.

Can I convert DVDs to digital without internet access?

Of course! Once you have either free or dedicated software installed on your computer, you do not need internet access to convert DVDs to digital. However, if the software includes online decryption features, internet access may be needed to bypass copy protection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dedicated DVD to digital software is perfect for larger collections or users needing advanced features like customizable settings and faster speeds. Whether using dedicated software, free DVD Ripper, online converters, or offline services, you can easily digitize your DVDs for convenient access across devices. By choosing to convert DVD to digital, you safeguard your media from physical damage, save space, and ensure that your collection is accessible anytime, anywhere.