DVD Converter (DVD Ripper) is your best partner to convert DVDs to most popular video formats on Mac OS X. It also helps to convert DVD and playback on iPad, Apple TV, iPhone, iPod with high quality.
A video converter on your Mac can help you in many ways. If you want to send videos from Mac to iPhone or wish to reduce the size of videos, a converter is at your service. But countless apps claim to be the best, so which one to download? To make your life easier, we have created a list of the best video converter apps for Mac.
- Any Video Converter Free Mac is the best free video converter to convert any video to MP4, AVI, WMV, MP3, and download YouTube videos, edit video on macOS for free.
- Xilisoft Video to Home DVD Converter for Mac is designed to convert all video files in all sorts of formats including high-definition videos to Home DVD movies and make them into DVDs. You can also create ISO files and Home DVD folders with this great video to Home DVD converter for Mac.
#1. Smart Converter
Here is an amazing video converter Mac app for you. A completely free, Smart Converter does not offer in-app purchases. And yet it is the fastest and easiest to convert videos.
This app can handle hundreds of file types and quickly converts. You can play videos on your choice of devices.
With its easy-to-use interface, it is a matter of drag-and-drop. Just drag the file into Smart Converter, choose an output preset, and click on the Convert button.
Between the process of dragging media files and selecting conversion type, this app analyses your file. And it takes quick decisions on what needs to be converted.
What makes it faster is its ability to convert parts of a movie that need it and leaves the rest untouched.
Price: Free
Download
#2. Compressor
Compressor closely works with Final Cut Pro, which is arguably the best video editing software. This certainly adds power and flexibility to video conversions.
Since the app boasts a simple interface, you can customize output settings, enhance images, and package your creation for sale.
Given the different needs of creative fraternity, Compressor has installed advanced encoding for Final Cut Pro, excellent iTunes Store package creation, and ultimate support for industry standards.
For Final Cut Pro, if you customize encoding settings, they will automatically reflect in the video editing software, i.e. Final Cut Pro. For a large number of files, Compressor offers batch processes.
Price: $49.99
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#3. HandBrake
HandBrake is probably a widely-used open source and free video converter app for Mac. Packed with multiple functions, this app supports a range of input formats. However, there are limited output formats like.MP4, .M4V, and.MKV.
It is a cross-platform program, which is compatible with Windows and Linux systems, apart from Mac. Some of the decent features are quality conversions, subtitles addition, audio tracks addition, frame rate settings and customizations, changing video codec, adjusting chapters, and more.
For standard or high-quality conversions, you can select a universal profile in the app.
Price: Free
Download
#4. Movavi
Movavi brings a paid video converter Mac app, which offers a clean and intuitive interface. When both combined, you get excellent user experience.
Fast conversions, superior output quality, and 4K resolution are some of the remarkable features of Movavi. Also, use several pre-configured profiles; however, the app does not provide multiple format options. There are just 17 to select, and this does not include popular formats like MP4, AVI, MPG, and MOV.
Before you go for a paid tool, you can try Movavi by subscribing for a seven-day free trial.
Price: $19.00
Download
#5. Any Video Converter (AVC)
Any Video Converter also comes up with a free and paid version. Unlike other packages, AVC allows you to upgrade to the paid version (AVC Ultimate) within its free software.
Before you make a buying decision, you need to learn a lot of things about this software. Note that some options and settings are difficult to find.
Although output quality is decent, this app gives average speed. However, you will be overwhelmed by a repertoire of preset profiles, which are more than 150 in number. Also get surprised by simple editing, disc burning, and video downloading features.
AVC provides you 17 output formats, including AVI, MOV, and MP4. On top of this, a 4K resolution is an option in the free version.
Price: $54.95
Download
#6. Permute
Permute is precisely designed for macOS, and perhaps, therefore, it is easier to use. Users like to operate this app as it has the most streamlined and refined interface. Whenever you update your macOS, Permute quickly releases its support – dark mode, for example.
Making the most of your Mac hardware, Permute converts your videos faster for formats like MP4 and HEVC. Have you shot videos on your iPhone? No worries, you can use Permute to save your time. Take a free trial of this app and then go ahead for its premium version.
Price: Free
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#7. CloudConvert
As the name suggests, CloudConvert is your companion when your office does not allow you to download any converter on your computer. In this situation, you can use this web-based video conversion software.
This software does not convert videos on your computer. Rather, you need to upload the video, and the converter will do its job in the cloud. Thus, you can easily dodge the vigilant eyes of your IT department.
Apart from videos, you can also convert other files. However, this software comes with its own darker side. It requires a strong Internet and time as well. And if the file size is more than 1GB, you have to go for a premium subscription.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases)
Download
#8. ffmpegx
ffmpegx supports nearly all popular and used video formats. Moreover, you can use its features like automatic crop tool, video tool, and bitrate calculator to customize your videos. A simple drag and drop can win your hearts.
A free video converter for your Mac, ffmpegx is built on a smorgasbord of UNIX tools. This makes a lot of difference as it keeps the software flexible yet powerful. You can also convert subtitles with OCR, which is available with VOB to SRT text format. Enjoy the fast conversion of video on your Mac!
Price: Free
Download
#9. Apowersoft
Apowersoft is a feature-rich video converter app that promises countless features. A perfect tool for video conversion, download, and editing.
Unlike many other converters, Apowersoft allows you to download videos from any website. And you can acquire media content in a broader range. You can use this software to create a rich library from YouTube, Vevo, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Blip TV, Metacafe, Liveleak, Hulu, Veoh, etc.
Once you download videos, you can directly add those videos to the “Convert” function. An intuitive user interface permits you to operate this app easily – whether you are a seasoned professional or a threshold video editor.
Price: $19.95
Download
#10. DivX
A free version of DivX gives you a smooth experience with high speeds, good quality output, and up to 4K resolution. However, a minus point of free download is you cannot use many format options.
Since DivX constantly forces you to upgrade to its premium version, you might go for its premium version. If you go for an upgrade, you can either choose Pro package or buy individual features separately. The former gives you access to all additions.
And the individual package includes Video Pack and Cloud Connect. Video Pack allows you to convert VC-1 and MPEG-2 files, and Cloud Connect helps you sync videos from Dropbox and Google Drive.
Price: $19.00
Download
That’s all folks!
Final words…
Which video converter would you like to use? A free or a paid one? Share your feedback with us in the comments section.
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I have been writing about tech for over 10 years now. I am passionate about helping people solve their tech problems with easy and practical solutions. At iGeeksBlog, I write and edit how-to guides and accessory reviews for all things Apple. My work has previously appeared in Live IT and Woman’s Era magazines. When not working, I love reading and traveling.
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'Ripping DVDs to MP4 format and decoding. Looking for help...I have no experience in this at all.'
While Netflix and YouTube might be your main source for entertainment now, old-style DVD disc never disappears. Whether you have a box set or a ton of DVDs, be them homemade or commercial, better extract the DVD media content to save into MP4 or other digital formats, for more flexible options of watching, or just in case they get broken or lost.
When it comes to DVD backup, MP4 is always preferred as the first choice. Why is that? Simply put, converting DVD to MP4 ensures the best balance between video quality and file size, which should cover most people's needs. But how to convert DVD to MP4 for free? We find 5 best ways for you.
Click the links below to jum to the part you are most interested in.
- Part 1: Convert DVD to MP4 with VideoProc
- Part 2: Convert DVD to MP4 with HandBrake
- Part 3: Convert DVD to MP4 with VLC
- Part 4: Convert DVD to MP4 with MakeMKV
- Part 5: Convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player
- Part 6: FAQs
Part 1 - Convert DVD to MP4 with VideoProc
The predecessor of VideoProc is a DVD ripper software. You can surely rely on VideoProc for DVD to MP4 conversion.
- • It offers the fastest solution for you to convert a DVD on Windows and macOS, making full use of hardware acceleration.
- • It supports any DVDs, including 99-title DVDs, region-locked DVDs, Disney DVDs, latest movie DVDs and workout DVDs.
- • It can directly convert DVDs to MP4 H264, HEVC, ISO image, MPEG, MKV, AVI, or MP4 for iPhone, Android, YouTube, etc.
- • It allows you to edit the converted DVD video such as to rotate, cut, crop, add/change subtitles, add watermark, and change speed.
- • You have full control over the settings of codecs, frame rates, resolutions, aspect ratio, bit rate, etc. to balance quality and file size.
Now, way more than that, VideoProc is a hardware-accelerated comprehensive video processing tool that allows you to tackle with media files like DVDs, videos, audios and YouTube links. You can also edit, compress, download and record videos at one go.
Download VideoProc to Fast Convert DVD to MP4 Now!
How to convert DVD to MP4 with VideoProc?
Step 1: Open VideoProc and get into VideoPro - DVD center.
Step 2: Click DVD Disc to load the content.
Step 3: Move down to Target Format and choose MP4 h.264.
Step 4: Set an output folder and press button RUN.
Click below to upgrade to VideoProc Lifetime License with 55% OFF discount coupon $35.95$78.90
Part 2 - Convert DVD to MP4 with HandBrake
Handbrake is an FFmpeg-based open-source media converter. This free DVD ripper has hardly any features missing compared to commercial converters. It's an 80s-style interface with difficult video jargons often put a rookie even off. However, the fact is you will be hard-pressed to find any free or paid converter more versatile and powerful converter than Handbrake.
Can Handbrake convert DVD to MP4?
Handbrake allows you to rip DVD or Blu-ray Discs into MP4 or MKV files for digital use. It offers myriad of settings for output parameters including video/audio encoding modes, partition types, resolutions, bitrate, frame rate, languages, subtitles, filters and more. Those options may easily get beginners baffled, but are very useful for experts who want full control over the output digital file.
How to Convert DVD to MP4 with Handbrake?
Step 1: Choose the DVD file
After launching Handbrake on our computer, it will automatically detect the DVD driver that already installed on your computer. Click the target DVD driver on the section of Source Selection.
Step 2: Select the seasons you need to convert.
Go to the drop-down of Title. You are going to see many clips with different lengths. If you are holding a movie disc, then the clip that comes with the longest duration would be the main movie.
Step 3: Adjust the output settings.
- Go to the right of this panel, scroll down to find Normal on the section of Legacy and select it. You can choose other presets as you like.
- Go to Output settings, and select MP4 as the output container.
- Click Filters. There you need to set Decomb for Deinterlace and Fast for Interlace Detection.
- Click Video, and set Constant Framerate.
Step 4: Click Browse to set a destination file folder. Click the green Start Encode button. Now handbrake starts to rip DVD to MP4.
Why won't handbrake rip my DVD to MP4?
Check your discs at the first place. There shouldn't be any scratches or visible gray or Handbrake won't read the discs directly. If the error still exists, then the problem might be:
1. The DVD you are converting comes with copy protection.
Handbrake can't decode any encrypted DVDs or Blu-ray discs on its own. There are chances you can walk it through by installing the Libdvdcss file on your computer, but the effect is hard to be guaranteed. You are more suggested to use a commercial DVD ripper to convert encrypted discs to MP4.
2. Your CPU or RAM is out of usage.
It is a long and labor-intensive process to decoding and encoding the large DVD movies with Handbrake. Our computer needs to assign as much as CPU resource to Handbrake to make sure it works properly. That is to say, don't load any additional tasks when using Handbrake to convert DVD to MP4, or the app would fail to work.
Part 3 - Convert DVD to MP4 with VLC
VLC Media Player is best known as a versatile multi-media player which basically can play almost all sorts of video and audio (DVD files, MOV, AVI, MP4, MKV, WMA, MP3, WAV, and many more) that on our computers without extra codecs installed. But few people know it's also an inclusive and robust video converter and DVD ripper that is capable to flawlessly convert DVD to MP4 on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Can VLC convert DVD to MP4?
VLC can convert unencrypted DVD, Blu-ray, Audio DVD, and SVCD/VCD to MP4 as well as TS, WebMD formats in a relatively easy manner. It comes with full sets of controls on the generated video that allow users to adjust the encoding parameters, resolutions, filters, frame rate, etc.
How to Convert DVD to MP4 with VLC?
Step 1: Select the target DVD
Go to media > Convert/Save, and then choose Disc.
Click Browse to select the target Disc device
Step 2: Select the copy content
By default, the option of No disc menus should be ticked. You can untick that option to rip DVD with the menu.
Step 3: Convert DVD to MP4
Click Convert/Save in the bottom of the left corner to open up a new panel. In the section of Settings, you can find Profile. Select Video – H.265 + MP3(MP4), or H.264 + MP3(MP4) as the formats since you need MP4 output.
Step 4: Choose an easy to be found folder as the destination output file folder. Click Start and VLC will start to rip DVD to MP4.
How to Fix No Sound When Converting DVD to MP4 Using VLC?
1. Stick on the VLC default setting for output format (H.264/H.265 + MP3). The audio codec you select on VLC doesn't support the MP4 container. MP4 is not capable of supporting all sorts of audios, as like, it can't go with PCM, WMA, G.728, and partially support Vorbis and FLAC audio codec.
2. Make the original audio sample rate matches the generated file. The generated MP4 video won't come with an audio stream if the sample rate setting for the audio file doesn't match the source information.
Part 4 - Convert DVD to MP4 with MakeMKV
MakeMKV is one of the most popular DVD digitalizing tools in the market. It can instantly read and convert DVD and Blu-ray discs protected by the latest versions of AACS and BD+. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Moreover, its beta version is now free with all features included.
Can MakeMKV convert DVD to MP4?
MakeMKV was born to DVD digitalization, but it only converts DVDs to MKV files which are not well supported by many players. If you want a better-supported MP4 copy of your DVD, then you have to re-convert it with other video converters or transcoders.
How to convert DVD to MP4 with MakeMKV?
MakeMKV is a light-weight and free DVD converter that reads and converts DVD quickly. But just like others, it takes much time in the converting process. Now follow the steps to convert DVD to MKV in 5 steps, and just wait for exported movie.
Step 1: Insert the DVD that you want to convert.
Step 2: Launch MakeMKV, and select the drive with the disc in it.
Step 3: Click the big disk button in the center of the UI, and the software will start to read the disc.
Step 4: Tick the title that you want to convert (usually the one in the biggest size), and choose an output folder.
Step 5: Hit Make MKV, and it will start the conversion.
MakeMKV preserves the best video quality, all video and audio tracks, and chapter information, and at the same time, the final video will remain the original size which a two-hour movie DVD will reach up to 5+GB. If you have limited storage, then you should consider some tools that can highly compress DVD videos.
Part 5 - Convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player, also called WMP, is a media player and media library utility on Windows 7/8.1/10. It enables Windows users to play, store and organize (including easy edits) video/audio files as well as images. It supports a wide range of media formats, such as MP4, AVI, WMV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, etc.
Macx Dvd Video Converter Pro Pack
Can Windows Media Player convert DVD to MP4?
Windows Media Player can't convert DVD to MP4. All versions of WMP are not capable of converting DVD to MP4 due to the copy protection issue. On Windows 10, Microsoft removed DVD playback utility from Windows Media Player. You are not allowed to play nor copy DVDs with Windows Media Player since then.
How to convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player?
Since it's no way to convert DVD to MP4 with Windows Media Player, though you can find many so-called guides on how to convert DVD to MP4 with WMP, they usually end up with a tutorial of other software, or other functions of WMP, e.g. convert CD to MP3 on Windows 7.
DVD to MP4 FAQs
Is converting DVD to MP4 legal?
Dvd Converter Mac Freeware
Generally speaking, backup any content with copyright for infringing purposes like commercial redistribution, whether you own it legally or not, is illegal. But when it comes to converting DVD to MP4 for personal use, things are different from country to country.
- United States: According to Title 17 of the United States Code, it is illegal to copy protected DVDs without the consent of owners. But there is no clear statement for non-commercial use. So if you really need to backup media, convert DVD to MP4 for personal use only.
- United Kingdom: people who own the DVD can legally backup the DVD.
- Japan: DVD backup became illegal since October 1, 2012.
- German: Circumventing the copy protection is illegal, but you are allowed to convert DVD to MP4 for personal use.
What is the fastest way to convert a DVD to MP4?
- Run the DVD to MP4 conversion on a high-end computer.
- External DVD drive would help speed up your DVD backup a bit.
- Convert DVD to MP4 with GPU acceleration enabled to maximize the use of your engine.
- Use DVD to MP4 converter software that is able to deal with copy protections like CSS or 99 titles, or you will get stuck at the first decoding step forever. VideoProc and WinX DVD Ripper are two good options.
Free Download VideoProc to Convert DVD to MP4 on Windows 10/Mac
How to Rip DVD to MP4 in best quality?
- Convert DVD to MP4 HEVC instead of MP4 H.264. Same file size but better quality.
- Keep the original video resolution. Better not upscale or compress the video.
- Don't lower the frame rate unless you have to. Being fluency is another kind of good quality.
- Do some simple editing like stabilization, if your video turns out to be shaky.
- As to bit rate, VBR or ABR should be more preferred than CBR. And before reaching to a certain level, the higher the value of bit rate, the higher the quality of video.
How long does it take to convert a DVD into MP4 H.264?
It depends. If you use a DVD to MP4 converter that supports hardware acceleration like VideoProc, about 8 to 12 minutes should be enough to complete the backup of a DVD of two hours or so. When using software encoding only, converting a 120-min DVD to MP4 on Intel Core i7-8700K might take you 20 to 40 minutes, or even longer.