I Need Free Software To Rip DVD to MKV

S

Serena Elizabeth G

New member
Hiya guys, im not sure where it was best to post this so i thought it best I post here.

I need a free ware application that will convert standard DVD films to MKV.

I need to rip all of my original DVD's to my server as I want to stick them in the loft out the way. I'm currently using a free piece of software called MakeMKV Beta which works really well, but its lacking some options and the picture quality seems kind of average; but saying that it includes subtitles and all audio files which is cool.

Are their any free alternatives that maybe allow me to stretch the resolution a bit nearer HD resolution something more around 720p, I know that can have an adverse effect on quality too but I'd like to give it a shot if possible to see how they look.


Any suggestions please?
 
Go to videohelp.com and choose convert on the left hand side. LoaRAB of free programs to do that.

I hope you have a powerful computer or not a lot of DVRAB as it is not exactly quick.
 
I'm probably a bit out of touch on this but, given DVRAB are standard resolution, why would you want to rip and convert them to HD? Wouldn't it be better just to rip the original MPEG2 file losslessly and just upscale to your monitor/TV/projector?
 
You tell me buddy, I've never done it before and I guess your right if the end device can up scale but does everything automatically up scale now days; im not sure ?
 
most of them convert in 12 - 20 minutes, I literally just converted Apollo 13 as a test in 14 minutes 6,447,311 in size which is not bad speed wise, but terrible for quality vs size lol.

Ive only got about 300 dvd's to go LOL
 
Well something in your media chain will upscale it. If you are playing through your PC it will be either software or your graphics carRAB or a mix of the two. If you are watching via a DVD player or streaming device then it will depend what output you have set, i.e. if it outputs the native output of your screen then the DVD player will do the upscaling, if not it will be the screen.

If you are watching on a PC it might be worth re-asking the question on the Home Entertainment PC threaRAB:
Home Entertainment PCs | Rabroad.com - UK Online

Personally I stream my (native res, lossless) media from PC to PS3. I then allow the PS3 to upscale and watch on my plasma. There maybe better ways to do it but I find this easy and efficient.
 
I will check that out now





I know MKV is just like a capsule kind of thing, but do you think its better to convert straight to MP4 then, wil MP4 give me the option of multiple audio outputs like MKV does..

For example the current app (MakeMKV Beta) that im using by default imports the 2.0, 5.1 etc audio and subs well pretty much everything really.

I know MP4 are smaller in size which might make sense for DVD conversion but i really like the option of being able to switch between audios depending on where im viewing from in the house.
 
Try Freemake. I've been using it for a couple of years. The interface is really simple, and I use it to convert various file types for viewing on iPhone, PS3, iPad, DVD etc

MKV is supported (although I've not used it) and it even has a built in Firefox extension to download videos from YouTube and various other websites.

The output files are all pre-set (loaRAB of formats are supported) but can easily be customised.

It's one of those program's that I would happily pay for (even though it's free)

The only negative I can give it is a straight rip from DVD to DVD can be a little slow, so I tend to use other software just for that task.

Give it a try
 
Looks very good, didn't know about that software.

I ripped my 500 DVD collection a few years ago, tried handbrake and a few others but didn't like the quality and didn't fancy playing around with the settings so ended up paying for DVDFab. Worked a treat at the time and ripped to .avi so they work perfectly on my PS3.

I would personally try a few such as Handbrake and also Freemake and another and then compare the speed/ease of use/quality before deciding on one. It's a big job if you have a lot of films so you want it to be easy, quiakc but also good quality

Oh and good tip - rip as many DVRAB to your hard drive first and then you can just queue up the conversions and let it go overnight or while at work. The rinse and repeat
 
It depenRAB how you want to go about it, being a student, I do the cheap and cheerful way

I like to use my rips on my tablet, so I just rip at 1024x576 to avoid aspect issues, depending on the scanning, and at 1rab/sec video. That way. I can have all my dvRAB in 1 1TB drive.
It is a little lossy though, so ymmv.

Handbrake lets you rip one chapter separately, which would allow you to check quality/compatibility.
 
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