How to Convert DVD to MP4

This wikiHow teaches you how to convert a DVD's contents into an MP4 file on your computer, which will allow you to play the DVD without having the disc itself. Keep in mind that performing this process with a disc you don't own or...

Method 1 of 2:

Using HandBrake

  1. Picture 1 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Go to HandBrake's download page. It's located at https://handbrake.fr/. HandBrake is a free file converter for both Mac and PC platforms.
    1. While HandBrake has been optimized for most versions of Windows and MacOS, you may run into problems with HandBrake on MacOS Sierra.
  2. Picture 2 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Download HandBrake. This red button is on the left side of the download page. HandBrake will begin downloading to your computer.
    1. Depending on your browser, you may first need to confirm the download or select a download location.
    2. You should see HandBrake's current version number (e.g., "1.0.7") on the button as well.
  3. Picture 3 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Double-click the HandBrake setup file. It resembles a pineapple. You'll find the setup file in your computer's default downloads folder (e.g., the desktop).
    1. If you're having trouble finding the setup file, just type "handbrake" into Spotlight (Mac) or Start (Windows) and click the top result.
  4. Picture 4 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Follow the setup instructions. Setting up HandBrake typically entails the following:
    1. Windows - Confirm that HandBrake has access to your computer (if prompted), then click Next, click I Agree, and click Install. You'll click Finish to complete the setup.
    2. Mac - Open the setup file and drag Handbrake into your Applications folder.
  5. Picture 5 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Insert the DVD into your computer. In most cases, you'll accomplish this by sliding the DVD into the disk reader on the right side of your laptop (or in front of the CPU for a desktop computer), though you'll need to first press a button on most Windows computers to prompt the disk tray to eject.
    1. Some Mac computers don't have a built-in CD tray. You can rectify this problem by purchasing an external disk reader for around $80.
    2. You may have to close your computer's default audio program once you begin running the DVD before continuing.
  6. Picture 6 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Open HandBrake. This app has an icon resembling a pineapple to the right of a drink.
    1. You should see HandBrake on your desktop by default. If you don't, search for it in Spotlight or the Start menu on Mac or Windows, respectively.
  7. Picture 7 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click the DVD icon. It's the circular disc option on the left side of the window, just below the File tab.
    1. You'll likely see the movie's here as well.
    2. If you don't see the DVD icon, close and then re-open HandBrake.
  8. Picture 8 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Change the conversion settings if necessary. HandBrake will typically default to an MP4 conversion, but you should double-check the following aspects before continuing:
    1. File format - Below the "Output Settings" heading in the middle of the page, look for "MP4" in the box next to the "Container" heading. If it doesn't, click the box and select MP4.
    2. File resolution - Select your preferred resolution on the right side of the window (e.g., 1080p). This setting dictates the file quality.
  9. Picture 9 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Browse. It's to the right of the "File Destination" box. A pop-up window will appear.
  10. Picture 10 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Select a save location, then enter a file name. To do so, you'll click a save folder in the left-hand pane, then type in the file name in the text field near the bottom of the pop-up window.
  11. Picture 11 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Save. It's at the bottom of the window.
  12. Picture 12 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Start Encode. It's a green button at the top of the HandBrake window. Clicking it will prompt HandBrake to begin converting your DVD's files into a playable MP4 in your specified save location. After this process is complete, you'll be able to double-click the MP4 file to play it.
Method 2 of 2:

Using VLC Media Player

  1. Picture 13 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Open VLC Media Player. It's an orange-and-white traffic cone icon.
    1. To confirm that you have the latest version, you can click Help at the top of the window and then click Check for Updates. If there's an update available, you'll be prompted to install it.
    2. If you haven't yet downloaded VLC, you can do so from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html.
  2. Picture 14 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Insert your DVD into your computer. The CD tray into which you'll place the DVD is usually either on the right side of your computer's housing (laptops), or on the front of the CPU box (desktop computers).
    1. Some Mac computers don't have a built-in CD tray. You can rectify this problem by purchasing an external disk reader for around $80.
    2. You may have to close your computer's default audio program once you begin running the DVD before continuing.
  3. Picture 15 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click the Media tab. It's in the top-left corner of the VLC window.
  4. Picture 16 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Open Disc. You'll see this item close to the top of the Media drop-down menu.[1]
  5. Picture 17 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click the "No disc menus" box. It's in the "Disc selection" section of the "Open Media" window.
    1. If your computer has more than one DVD tray, you'll also need to click the "Disc device" box and select the movie's name.
  6. Picture 18 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click the arrow next to Play. This option is near the bottom of the page. Doing so will invoke a drop-down menu.
  7. Picture 19 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Convert. It's an item in the drop-down menu here.
  8. Picture 20 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Make sure the video type is set to MP4. You can do so by looking in the box to the right of "Profile", which is near the bottom of the screen.
    1. If you don't see "(MP4)" in this box, click it and then select an option that ends with "(MP4)".
  9. Picture 21 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Browse. It's near the bottom-right corner of the window.
  10. Picture 22 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click a save location. You can select this location from the left side of the window.
  11. Picture 23 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Save your file as an MP4. To do so, type filename.mp4 into this window, where "filename" is the name of the movie.
  12. Picture 24 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Save. This will save your settings.
  13. Picture 25 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Click Start. It's at the bottom of the Convert window. Your DVD will begin to convert to an MP4 format.
    1. This process will take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your computer's speed and the size of the DVD.
    2. The video progress bar at the bottom of VLC Media Player's window will show how much of the video has been converted.
  14. Picture 26 of How to Convert DVD to MP4
    Double-click your converted file. Doing so should open it in your computer's media player, although you may want to open it specifically in VLC Media Player to ensure that it runs properly.
Update 05 March 2020
clickhandbrakefilewindow

You should read it

Maybe you are interested

Category

System

Mac OS X

Hardware

Game

Tech info

Technology

Science

Life

Application

Electric

Program

Mobile