Is it legal to remove copy protection from DVDs? How to rip copy-protected DVDs? Many people are curious about these questions. DVDs used to be the mainstream way for people to enjoy rich TV series and movie content. However, with the booming of online video streaming services, these discs are gradually forgotten with their regional protections. Is it possible to get rid of these protections? In this post, we will share 5 best Blu-ray rippers to remove DVD copy protection.
Part 1: Rip Copy-protected DVD with Leawo Blu-ray Ripper
Leawo Blu-ray Ripper is a powerful audio and video conversion program to rip DVDs and Blu-ray to MP4 on various devices. It plays a role in ripping copy-protected DVDs as it can break through disc protection and regional restrictions and convert various types of DVDs into a variety of formats of video or audio files. Then the DVD content can be played on different devices and platforms, and you can easily view and share the content at will.
Its features are as follows:
- High-speed conversion: The conversion speed is 6 times faster than ordinary software.
- Batch processing: Multiple Blu-ray/DVD to video conversion tasks can be processed simultaneously.
- HD output: It provides an ultra-HD movie experience on a 4K display while retaining the original image quality.
- Multilingual subtitles: The ability to freely select subtitles in the source Blu-ray/DVD file makes it easy to watch the movie in a familiar language.
Here is how to remove DVD protection with it.
Step 1: Load DVD content
Choose the “DVD Ripper” and import the target DVD files.
Step 2: Set output format
Next to the “Convert” button, find the drop-down box and hit “Change“. Follow “Format > Common Video” to set the output format.
Step 3: Convert DVD to MP4 videos
Click on “Convert”. Set the output directory and hit “Convert” again to start the conversion.
Part 2: Rip Copy-protected DVD with Handbrake
HandBrake is a free and open-source video conversion software that has a unique performance in ripping copy-protected DVDs. It can maintain the DVD content without any loss. However, the output file is large, so make sure there is enough storage space on your hard drive.
Its features are as follows:
- Rich formats: It supports many input and output formats to meet diverse usage scenarios and device needs.
- Custom settings: You can flexibly adjust the video resolution, frame rate and other parameters.
- Hardware Acceleration: It saves time by speeding up video encoding with the help of modern computers’ hardware acceleration.
Here is how to rip copy-protected DVD:
Step 1. Run the program and hit “Open Source> File”. Upload the target DVD file on your computer.
Step 2. If you input a protected file, the protection will be removed automatically. Then click the “titles” drop-down box to choose the title.
Step 3. Under the “Summary” section, convert the DVD file to MP4 format, and then select the encoder under the “Video” tab.
Step 4. Set the saving path and start the conversion.
However, HandBrake can’t rip the encrypted ISO files.
Part 3: Rip Copy-protected DVD with VLC
VLC is a powerful open-source cross-platform multimedia player that shows unique advantages in ripping copy-protected DVDs. By integrating the libdvdcss library, VLC can break through the common DVD copy protection mechanism, read and convert the content of the protected DVD.
Its features are as follows:
- Wide range of output formats: Almost all common audio and video formats are supported, and there is no need to install additional decoders when playing and converting.
- Cross-platform use: It can run on Windows, Mac, Linux, as well as Android, iOS and other operating systems of mobile devices, to meet the operation needs
- Free and open source without ads: Completely free to use, no ads interfere, and the source code is open, developers and users can optimize and customize it.
Follow the guide below to rip DVD protection.
Step 1. Open the VLC. Navigate to “Media” and then click “Convert / Save”.
Step 2. Change to the “Disc” tab and select “Disc Device”. Then click on the “Convert / Save” button, in the new dialog box, select “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)” in the “Profile” drop-down menu.
Step 3. Preset the path and name of the output file, and hit the “Start” button to convert the DVD file to MP4.
Part 4: Rip Copy-protected DVD with MakeMKV
MakeMKV is a powerful video format conversion tool that excels at ripping copy-protected DVDs. With its own decryption tool, it is able to break through the copy protection mechanism of DVD and convert its contents to MKV format files losslessly. During the conversion process, it can completely preserve the original quality of the video, including all audio tracks, chapter information, and metadata.
The features of MakeMKV are as follows:
- Simple and easy to use: The operation interface is simple and intuitive and you can rip the DVD protection in just a few simple steps without complex operation skills and professional knowledge.
- Fast Conversion: The conversion speed is extremely fast, almost the same as the speed at which the drive reads the data.
- Cross-platform support: It can be used on a variety of mainstream operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you can easily run this software no matter what device you use.
- Format Compatible: Convert DVD to MKV format, which is highly compatible and can be supported by most media players.
Here is how to rip copy-protected DVD with MakeMKV:
Step 1: Download and install MakeMKV and then run the program. If the encrypted DVD is in the DVD drive, MakeMKV will detect it.
Step 2: MakeMKV will read the disc and remove the DVD copy protection. Once DVDs are scanned, the basic DVD information is displayed automatically.
Step 3: Click on the big optical drive button and the DVD titles, audio tracks, and subtitles tracks are shown.
Step 4: Set an output directory to store the ripped protected DVD video, and then click on the MakeMKV button to start. When the process is done, you can find the output files in the preset folder.
Part 5: Rip Copy-protected DVD with DVD Shrink
AnyDVD Shrink is a powerful DVD copy and compression software that excels when working with copy-protected DVDs. Its advanced decryption technology breaks through common DVD copy protection mechanisms such as CSS, AP, ARCCOS, etc., allowing you to read the contents of protected DVDs smoothly.
Its features are as follows:
- Multiple backup methods: It supports backing up DVD as a DVD folder or ISO file on the hard disk, and you can also burn DVD directly to achieve DVD-9 to DVD-9, DVD-5 to DVD-5 copying.
- Flexible Customization: You can choose the title, chapter, main movie, menu, special clip, language and subtitles that need to be copied or compressed.
- Hardware Wide Compatible: Whether it is a DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW burner, it can be well adapted to meet the hardware needs of different users.
Here is how-to.
Step 1: Download the latest version of DVD Shrink from the official website.
Step 2: Run the program and click on the “Open Disc” button in the upper left. It will automatically analyze the imported DVD files.
Step 3: A list of titles with their corresponding sizes will prompt. By selecting the “Compression Settings” link for any title, you can change the setting parameters.
Step 4: Choose the “Backup” button. If you want to save it to a folder, you can burn it to a DVD later using DVD burning tools.
FAQs
Q: What Are Copy-Protected DVDs?
A: A copyrighted DVD is a digital video disc that protects the rights and interests of content creators and restricts unauthorized use and copying through encryption, digital watermarking and other technologies and legal means.
Q: How to Copy protected DVD to ISO or Folder on HDD?
A: You can find 5 useful tools in the article. Comparatively, the Leawo Blu-ray Ripper is the go-to solution.
Q: Is It Legal to Rip Copy-protected DVDs?
A: It depends on the laws and regulations in different regions and countries. But for personal use, you have the right to back up DVD content as long as you buy the disc legitimately.
Conclusion
This article introduces 5 tools to rip DVDs and I hope you can find a helpful tool. Among them, the Leawo Blu-ray Ripper with significant advantages, powerful features, and convenient operation is your ideal choice. You may wish to try it.