5 Ways to Convert DVD to MKV (Losslessly or Smaller Size)

MKV is a practical format for digitizing DVDs because it can hold multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters in a single file. But converting a DVD to MKV does not always produce the same result.

One option is to copy the original video and selected tracks of DVD into an MKV container without re-encoding. This preserves the source quality and finishes relatively quickly, but the file remains large. The other option is to re-encode the DVD video with H.264 or H.265, which takes longer and causes some quality loss but produces a much smaller file.

As for the DVD to MKV converter, the best choice also depends on the disc. Some programs work only with homemade or unprotected DVDs, while others can read commercial discs with region codes or copy protection. The comparison below shows what each DVD to MKV converter can handle and whether it creates a direct MKV copy, a compressed file, or both.

Comparison of DVD to MKV Converters

Before choosing a DVD-to-MKV converter, check whether the disc is copy-protected and decide whether you want to preserve the original streams or create a smaller, re-encoded file. The tools below differ in disc support, output options, speed, and ease of use. The table provides a quick comparison before we look at each option in more detail.

Check the comparison table of the 5 best DVD to MKV converters on the market, and pick the one that works best for you.

1. Rip DVD to MKV with VideoProc Converter AI

• OS: Windows, macOS
• Output video quality: lossless or compressed (user-defined)
• Input Type: DVD disc, ISO image, VOB file, VIDEO_TS folder, etc.
• Ideal for: a comprehensive all-in-one DVD backup, convertion, and quality enhancement solution

VideoProc Converter AI features a versatile DVD module that can both remux your DVD to MKV losslessly and compress the content to a smaller MKV file. You are free to choose according to your needs.

For a lossless rip, the backup mode lets you select any desired titles, audio, or subtitle files and remux them into an MKV file. The entire process is fast since there's no transcoding. Besides MKV, you can also set the output format to ISO image or VIDEO_TS file. The digital video file is an exact copy of the data on the DVD, with no detail loss, perfect for archiving.

For a compressed conversion, VideoProc Converter AI can convert your DVD to a significantly smaller MKV file. You can choose more efficient encoding codecs, such as H.264, HEVC, or AV1, or other containers besides MKV, like MP4, MOV, AVI, etc. This offers a good balance between quality and file size for general viewing.

In addition to physical discs, VideoProc Converter AI handles DVD content in ISO image, VOB file, and VIDEO_TS folder as inputs. Adding features like quick editing, metadata modification, deinterlacing, and AI Super Resolution makes VideoProc Converter AI a flexible, one-stop solution for DVD to MKV conversion. Its unique Level-3 Hardware Acceleration provides 47 times the real-time speed.

How to Rip or Convert DVD to MKV with VideoProc Converter AI

Step 1. Load the DVD. Insert the disc, open VideoProc Converter AI, and select DVD on the main screen. Click Disc, choose the correct drive, and let the program analyze the DVD. You can also load an ISO image or DVD folder from this screen.

Step 2. Choose an MKV output, search for MKV, and choose one of these options:

• Backup > MKV Copy copies the selected DVD streams without re-encoding. Use this when you want to retain the source video quality and do not mind a larger file.
• Video > MKV H.264 re-encodes the movie for a smaller file with wide playback support.
• Video > MKV HEVC uses H.265 for more efficient compression, but it's less compatible with older devices.

Step 3. (optional) VideoProc Converter AI automatically analyzes the DVD and selects the main movie, even on discs with dozens of fake titles. You can also choose specific titles and chapters manually. The default settings work well for most DVDs, but you can adjust the following if needed:

• Codec and quality: For a compressed MKV, choose H.264 for wider compatibility or HEVC for a smaller file.
• Audio and subtitles: Select the tracks you want to keep.
• Edit: Trim the video, adjust the volume, or fix audio/video sync.

Step 4. Choose an output folder. Enable hardware acceleration for faster conversion speed. Hit RUN.

Tips:

• Before starting the conversion, enable Safe Mode and Deinterlacing to help prevent unexpected interruptions and maintain video quality.
• Want your old DVDs to look better on an HD or 4K screen? After the conversion is complete, open the MKV file in VideoProc Converter AI's Super Resolution tool. You can upscale the DVD footage to 1080p or 4K while reducing blur and noise for a cleaner, sharper image.

2. Rip DVD to MKV with MakeMKV

• OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Output video quality: lossless only
• Input Type: DVD disc, ISO image
• Ideal for: creating a perfect, uncompressed digital copy of your DVD

MakeMKV has a narrower purpose than the other programs in this guide. It reads the titles on a DVD and saves the selected video, audio, subtitles, and chapters in an MKV container without re-encoding the video. That makes MakeMKV a strong choice when source preservation matters more than storage space. Remuxing is normally much faster than a full video encode, but the resulting movie will often occupy several gigabytes because MakeMKV does not replace the DVD's MPEG-2 video with a more efficient codec.

MakeMKV is safe and free to use with a valid beta key. In addition to DVD, MakeMKV also handles Blu-ray discs. It's ideal for users with large storage capacity who want the absolute best-quality copy.

How to Rip a DVD to MKV with MakeMKV

Step 1. Insert the DVD into the computer's optical drive and open MakeMKV.

Step 2. Select the drive in the source list, then click the large disc icon. Wait while MakeMKV scans the disc.

Step 3. Expand the title list and select the movie, episodes, audio tracks, and subtitle tracks you want to keep. Check title durations rather than selecting every item by default.

Step 4. Choose an output folder and click Make MKV. Play the finished file to confirm the title, audio, subtitles, and chapter markers.

Tips:

MakeMKV can rip copy-protected DVDs. Read our detailed guide on How to Use MakeMKV here.

MakeMKV keeps all videos, audios, subtitles, and chapter info in the converted file, which results in an extremely large file size. A two-hour movie DVD turns out to take up 5+ GB local storage (and converted Blu-ray video are even much larger, 30-40 GB), and let alone how much time it will take to complete the conversion.

3. Rip DVD to MKV with HandBrake

• OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Output video quality: compressed only
• Input Type: DVD disc, ISO image, VOB file, VIDEO_TS folder, etc.
• Ideal for: reducing the MKV file size of video by re-encoding

HandBrake is the most capable free option here when the goal is compression rather than a direct copy. It re-encodes the DVD's video as H.264, H.265, AV1, or another supported codec, giving you control over quality, file size, dimensions, frame rate, filters, audio, and subtitles.

This free DVD to MKV converter does not include support for bypassing DVD copy protection. It can open homemade and unprotected discs directly; a protected commercial DVD must first be made accessible using a method that is lawful where you live.

HandBrake is a transcoder; it doesn't pass through any streams and will re-encode them all. This inevitably results in time consumption and loss of quality. To achieve the desired output, you'll need some coding knowledge and careful manual setup.

How to Convert a DVD to MKV with HandBrake

Step 1. Open HandBrake and select the DVD drive, ISO image, or VIDEO_TS folder as the source. Wait for the scan to finish.

Step 2. Choose the title that contains the movie or episode. Use the duration and chapter count as clues; the longest title is not always the correct one, particularly on TV-series discs.

Step 3. In the Summary tab, set Format to MKV. Choose a suitable preset, then confirm the source dimensions and frame rate. Avoid upscaling the DVD unless a specific workflow requires it.

Step 4. In the Video tab, choose H.264 for broader playback support or H.265 for more efficient compression on compatible devices. For 480p or 576p DVDs encoded with x264 or x265, HandBrake recommends starting in the RF 18–22 range. Use Preview to test a short section.

Step 5. Select the audio and subtitle tracks, choose the destination filename and folder, and click Start Encode.

Tips:

HandBrake rips one title of the DVD at a time. If the title you select is not the one that contains all chapters, you'll get only a clip of the movie. To solve this problem, you can play the DVD and figure out the right title in advance or turn to DVD to MKV converters that can rip the full title for you. Here's a detailed guide on HandBrake DVD rip.

4. Rip DVD to MKV with VLC

• OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Output video quality: lossless or compressed (user-defined)
• Input Type: DVD disc, ISO image, VOB file, VIDEO_TS folder, etc.
• Ideal for: both playing and converting media files, including unprotected DVDs

VLC is a cross-platform media player. It has a built-in conversion feature helping users convert DVDs to MKV and other common video formats. Besides DVDs, it is able to rip Blu-ray discs, CDs, and VDCs/SVDs, of course, without copy protection. And the only drawback in VLC is that you cannot change the resolution, bitrate, frame rate, and other parameters.

For DVD to MKV conversion, VLC can both re-encode streams and remux them without re-encoding. However, the price of this flexibility is that you need to have some knowledge of video encoding to choose the appropriate codec and audio/subtitle files. The conversion process can be more manual and clunky. It's suitable for easy conversions, but complex video conversions aren't VLC's core strength and may cause various errors.

How to Convert a DVD to MKV with VLC

Step 1. Open VLC and go to Media > Convert/Save. Select the Disc tab, choose DVD, and confirm the correct disc drive.

Step 2. Set the title and chapter if needed, then click Convert/Save.

Step 3. Create or edit a conversion profile. Set the encapsulation to Matroska/MKV, choose H.264 as the video codec, and select a compatible audio codec such as AAC.

Step 4. Choose a destination filename ending in .mkv, click Start, and inspect several parts of the finished file for the correct picture, audio, subtitles, and synchronization.

5. Rip DVD to MKV with Cisdem Video Converter

• OS: Windows, macOS
• Output video quality: lossless or compressed (user-defined)
• Input Type: DVD disc, ISO image, VOB file, VIDEO_TS folder, etc.
• Ideal for: users who want a paid alternative to convert DVD to MKV

Cisdem Video Converter is a program that can convert videos to numerous formats. Many users install it for its built-in DVD ripper which can read and convert both homemade and copy-protected commercial discs. It enables users to convert DVDs to MP3, MKV, MP4, AVI, and many other formats.

However, based on our tests, Cisdem Video Converter has the worst performance among these software with copy-protected DVDs. As shown in the example figure, Cisdem Video Converter did not recognize the correct title.

How to Convert a DVD to MKV with Cisdem VideoPaw

Step 1. Insert the DVD and open the disc-ripping module in Cisdem VideoPaw.

Step 2. Load the disc and confirm that the selected title matches the movie or episode you want to convert.

Step 3. Open the output-format menu and choose an MKV profile. Review the video codec, resolution, audio tracks, and subtitles.

Step 4. Use the editing tools only if you need to trim, crop, rotate, or make another basic adjustment.

Step 5. Choose an output folder and start the conversion. Check the finished file before storing away the disc.

Which DVD-to-MKV Method Should You Use

MakeMKV is the most direct free choice for preserving a DVD's original video in an MKV file. It is quick because it does not re-encode, but the output remains large. For a smaller MKV from an unprotected DVD, HandBrake offers the strongest combination of quality control, presets, and price.

VideoProc Converter AI is more convenient when you have a protected DVD and want both direct-copy and compressed output options in one interface. Cisdem VideoPaw is another paid option, especially if its broader conversion, Blu-ray, downloading, or recording features are also useful to you.

VLC can handle a basic unprotected disc when it is already installed, but it is the least specialized workflow in this list. Use it for an occasional conversion rather than a large DVD collection or a disc with multiple titles and tracks.

Whichever program you choose, verify the main title, audio, subtitles, chapters, and playback before deleting any temporary files or putting the physical disc into long-term storage.

Final Words

The best free DVD converter goes to the open source software undoubtedly. However, they are not competent to either convert copy-protected DVDs or convert files in a fast manner. Taking the most concerning factors into account, the running system, ease of use, supported DVDs, the conversion speed, and the price, VideoProc Converter AI is actually the best option for you to convert DVDs to MKV and any other formats without any fuss. And don't forget it can do far more than this. Download and unlock more features in VideoProc Converter AI now!

Disclaimer: We do not advocate ripping or converting authorized or copy-protected DVD videos. Please check your local laws before you convert DVDs for personal use.