OV9

Other half wants to copy all her DVDs to a portable hard drive to save space. I’ve tried copying them using VLC but I only get a picture and no sound. Can anyone recommend any software?

https://handbrake.fr/

Never used it but apparently very good. The only thing you need to check is that when converting it, need to pick the correct codec/audio/settings otherwise you won't be able to play it, or will have no audio. It may be a lot simpler these days (not done it in years!) but it depends what she's looking to play it back with.

Her idea is to be able to take them on holiday with us too and plug into a smart tv

I used to use handbrake a lot converting mkv to mp4 so they’d play on an Apple TV. It’ll definitely do the DVD ripping it but it’s quite a laborious process. I’d torrent as much as you can and only rip it yourself if it’s desperately important you must take it on holiday with you.

I used Handbrake years ago. It was good, but as SJ says, laborious.

Do you want just the movies or the whole DVD iso with features and stuff?

If you've a VPN you'd save yourself a huge amount of work just sailing the high seas if all you want is the movie.

Was gonna suggest this. If you have the discs then don't be afraid to get them from your mate Dan. Dan Lord.

Handbrake is the one to use for encoding, but you might find a bit of software which is quicker to do the ripping, then you can can put them over in batches to HB when ready. I only do that now for the odd thing I pick up on DVD on eBay if it's not on available for download somewhere.

If you've bought them just d/l them. Far less hassle.

Also gets round the PITA of finding a DVD that HB can't rip due to the certain protection on it or scratches etc.

Ages since I did mine but used makemkv to rip then handbrake to re-encode. Most players understand the mkv format these days though so that step may not be necessary.

I've used Opera and the 'Bay to download some. Hopefully they will play on a smart TV.

Ascender wrote: Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:50 pm Also gets round the PITA of finding a DVD that HB can't rip due to the certain protection on it or scratches etc.

I still buy the odd DVD, was only recently Jen wanted to watch an old series called GRIMM which a friend was unable to download from the seven seas.

NGRhodes wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 4:30 pm

Ascender wrote: Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:50 pm Also gets round the PITA of finding a DVD that HB can't rip due to the certain protection on it or scratches etc.

I still buy the odd DVD, was only recently Jen wanted to watch an old series called GRIMM which a friend was unable to download from the seven seas.

Really enjoyed Grimm when it was first released. Quite surprised it's lost to the high seas.