Best 7 DVD Decrypters to Decrypt DVDs

Some individuals searching for 'DVD decrypter' are specifically seeking a software program known as 'DVD Decrypter.' DVD Decrypter was a popular software tool used for decrypting and ripping DVDs. However, it's important to note that DVD Decrypter faced legal challenges due to its ability to bypass copy protection mechanisms, and it is no longer actively developed or supported. As a result, many users may also be looking for alternative DVD decryption software that serves a similar purpose.

In this article, we aim to provide the information you require. We will furnish you with the download link for the software formerly known as 'DVD Decrypter' and recommend up-to-date alternatives capable of handling new DVD copy protection methods.

Part 1. Download DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0

Installing a DVD decrypter on your computer is quite necessary if you need to back up commercial DVDs. Otherwise, you will probably receive errors like "can't find the correct title", "oversized output file", "incomplete DVD ripping", etc, when you try to make a digital copy of your DC Comic and Marvel DVD movie collection. And, it's not going to be good with DVDs from Sony, Lionsgate, or any other producers, there are still errors like "unknown bad sector", "fake playlist", to name a few.

These errors occur because there are copy protection schemes in your DVDs. To avoid these issues, you need to use reliable DVD decryption software to bypass DVD copyright protections.

Are you looking for the software named 'DVD Decrypter' and developed by Lightning UK? As I mentioned above, it is no longer under active development or support. The development and upgrades on DVD Decrypter has halted since 2005. Despite that, the final release 3.5.4.0 can still be downloaded from the mirror site, VideoHelp, etc.

DVD Decrypter is indeed a good DVD decryption program, and the most importantly it is free. With DVD Decrypter downloaded on your computer, you can make a copy of DVD encrypted with Macrovision content protection, CSS, region codes, and user operation prohibition.

However, as a software that has been discontinued for more than 10 years, it is no longer capable of handling the latest and more robust DVD copy protection technologies, such as Disney X-Protect, AACS, and Sony protections. Therefore, if you are unable to successfully decrypt DVDs using DVD Decrypter, you will need to consider an alternative solution. Next, we will recommend a superior alternative software that offers significantly more advanced functionality than DVD Decrypter.

Part 2. Best DVD Decryption Software - Best Alternative to DVD Decrypter

If you're looking for a powerful and up-to-date alternative to DVD Decrypter that can effectively handle the latest DVD copy protection technologies, we recommend WinX DVD Ripper Platinum. And, it has a Mac version.

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is a comprehensive DVD decryption and ripping software that has gained a strong reputation for its reliability and advanced features. Here are some key reasons why it's an excellent choice:

Wide Range of Supported Protections: WinX DVD Ripper Platinum can bypass various DVD encryptions, including Disney's X-Protect, AACS, Sony ARccOS, CSS, Region Code 1-6, UOPs, RCE, and more. This ensures you can rip DVDs from different studios without encountering errors.

High-Speed Conversion: This software is equipped with advanced technology that enables fast DVD ripping while maintaining high-quality output. It supports hardware acceleration, multi-core processors, and Hyper-thread technology, making the process efficient.

Output Formats: It allows you to decrypt your DVDs and convert them to a plethora of formats such as MP4, H264, MOV, AVI, ISO, optimized presets for iPhone, iPad, Android, Xbox, PS4, and more, all while maintaining excellent video and audio quality.

Backup and Cloning: You can effortlessly create backups of your DVDs in ISO image format or DVD folder, or save them as MPEG-2 files, preserving the original quality and structure.

Customization: WinX DVD Ripper Platinum allows you to customize the output settings, such as video quality, resolution, and audio settings, to meet your specific needs.

User-Friendly Interface: It offers an intuitive interface that makes DVD ripping accessible even for users with limited technical knowledge.

Regular Updates: Unlike DVD Decrypter, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is actively developed and regularly updated to ensure compatibility with new DVDs, copy protection methods, and new operating systems.

To get started with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, you can download a trial version and explore its features.

Tutorial: How to Decrypt DVDs with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum

Here we show you how to bypass DVD copy protection and rip DVD with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum.

Step 1. Free download and install WinX DVD Ripper Platinum (or macOS version) on your computer.

Step 2. Insert the DVD you want to decrypt into your computer's DVD drive.

Step 3. Launch WinX DVD Ripper and click the "DVD Disc" button to load the DVD you want to decrypt.

Then, it will start scanning your DVD and will select the main movie title for you after it finishes the analysis.

If it detects a Disney X-project DRM encrypted DVD, it will pop up a small window like the screenshot below.

Step 4. Choose output profile. You'll find that there're lots of output profiles for PC, Mac, and other devices. Generally speaking, an MP4 preset is a good choice.

Step 5. Check the title you want to rip from DVD. WinX DVD Ripper will select the main movie title for you automatically, but it also provides the flexibility to customize your selection by opting for a different title or multiple titles if needed.

Step 6. Edit and adjust video audio parameters. This is an optional step.

Step 7. Specify destination folder and click "RUN" to begin decrypting and copying protected DVD collection to MP4.

[Video Tutorial] How to Decrypt Copy-Protected DVDs with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum

Disclaimer: Digiarty Software does not advocate ripping copy-protected DVDs for any commercial purpose and suggests referring to the DVD copyright laws in your countries before doing so.

Part 3. Other Free DVD Decrypters

1. MakeMKV

MakeMKV has been working on improving its DVD and Blu-ray decryption capabilities. Let me show you a few examples. With the release of v1.01 build 634, it improved handling for DVD discs with structure protection. With the release of v1.01 build 646, it improved recognition of bogus titles on DVD discs with structure protection. With the release of v1.5.4, it updated Blu-ray keys for AACS v17. With the release of v1.6.7, it added support for new DVD copy protections.

MakeMKV offers enough features for you to get rid of encryption techs from Blu-ray and DVD discs. However, it underperforms in DVD decryption, especially "The volume key is unknown for this disc" error caused by AACS 2.0 encryption.

Key Features:

• Clear BD+, Cinavia from Blu-ray disc.
• The old DVD encryption techs are partially supported like CSS, AACS 2.0, Region Code. As for the enhanced DRM protection techs from Disney, Sony and Lionsgate, it's willing to but powerless to render assistance.
• Make a digital copy of your disc and saved as MKV with multi-track subtitles and audio channels kept.

Pros:

• Free of charge.
• Support decrypting the latest encryption tech in Blu-ray disc.
• Support DVD, UHD DVD and Blu-ray disc as inputs.

Cons:

• Only 1 output format supported, MKV.
• Omit the core tech to remove the latest encryptions used on DVD like AACS 2.0, Sony ARccOS, Disney X-project, etc.
• No 1:1 DVD backup mode.
• No GPU hardware acceleration tech and CPU usage up to 95% during ripping.
• Leave DVD editing and parameter adjustment to be desired.

2. AnyDVD HD

AnyDVD HD is a single module in AnyDVD media suite. Just buy them piece-meal if your sole need is the decrypter. Similar to MakeMKV, this tool also enables you to decrypt DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray DVD. Differently, its only 1 output format is Video_TS folder, not MKV.

Different from other DVD decrypters here, AnyDVD HD removes region code restrictions and copy protections of DVDs and Blu-rays automatically in the background. After you installing and activiating AnyDVD HD, all programs on your computer can access the content of a movie DVD or Blu-ray.

Key Features:

• Partially decrypt DVD, HD DVD, CD and Blu-ray discs. "AnyDVD is unable to crack all CSS Keys on this disc!" message points out the striving direction for AnyDVD HD.
• Rip DVD to Video_TS folder with fast speed and low CPU consumption.

Pros:

• The range of input formats is broad, from CD, DVD to HD DVD and Blu-ray disc.
• No-frills product, easy to use and friendly to newbies.

Cons:

• Unable to handle the challengable encryption techs like Macrovision, Cinavia, CPRM, Disney, Sony ARccOS, etc.
• The sole utput format is Video_TS folder, which is incompatible with most mobile devices. You need pay for another product CloneDVD Mobile in media suite if you're prone to convert DVD to MP4, MOV, etc.
• Price is a little stiff, €59 for 1-year version, €75 for 2-year version and €109 for lifetime version.
• Only available for Windows PC, no macOS version.
• DVD editing and parameter adjustment are of absence.

3. DVD Shrink

DVD Shrink is a free DVD transcoder for Windows. It is designed to reduce the amount of data stored on a DVD, such as making a shrunk copy of a dual layer (8.5 GB) DVD to fit on a single-layer (4.7 GB) DVD. Built with a DeCSS decryption algorithm, DVD Shrink will remove the region code (or, you can set for any region code) and decrypt DVDs with CSS copy protection, User operation prohibition (prohibiting skipping over previews or "FBI Warnings" and so on).

But unfortunately, this software has been out of development for many years. The final English version is 3.2.0.15 while the final German version is 3.2.0.16. Be careful when you decide to download dvd shrink, because there are some fake versions called "DVD Shrink 2010/2011" or something. To get a valid DVD Shrink version, you can go to Softpedia, DVD Shrink Forum, or doom9 forum.

Key Features:

• Compress the data inside the DVD and export an ISO image copy or a DVD Video_TS folder.

Pros:

• Free to use.

Cons:

• It cannot decrypt DVDs with more recent forms of copy protection such as Macrovision Ripguard.
• It cannot burn ISO or VIDEO_TS folder to DVD itself.
• No Mac version.

4. DVDFab HD Decrypter

Free, easiness and DVD decryption ability make DVDFab HD Decrypter a nice try for DVD decryption software. Actually, DVDFab HD Decrypter isn't a standalone program. It is built into the all-in-one software package – DVDFab. When you click the download button in the product page of DVDFab HD Decrypter, you’ll download DVDFab. After you finish the installation, you'll be notified that HD Decrypter has already been activated.

Free DVDFab HD Decrypter allows you to remove DVD protections (CSS, RC, RCE, APS, UOPs, and Sony ARccOS) and Blu-ray protections (AACS, RC, UOPS, and BD-Live) from DVDs and Blu-rays released one year ago. It cannot remove Cinavia protection.

Key Features:

• Accept old DVD and Blu-ray discs as inputs.
• Remove old encryption from DVD and Blu-ray discs.
• Copy full disc or main movie only.

Pros:

• Free of charge.
• Well-designed with an intuitive interface, simple to use.
• Fast speed for DVD backup.

Cons:

• Only let you decrypt old DVD and Blu-ray discs, any new encryption techs excluded.
• Only two copy modes are available.

5. Handbrake + libdvdcss

Handbrake itself lacks the knack to cope with copyright protected DVD. But it's not the case once it gets the help from libdvdcss. Libdvdcss is a free and open-source software library, originally created by VideoLan. With this library installed, your DVD player and DVD ripper can access and unscramble DVDs encrypted with CSS.

Different from DeCSS using a cracked DVD player key to perform authentication, libdvdcss uses a generated list of possible player keys. If none of the keys work (for instance, when the DVD drive enforces region coding), libdvdcss brute-forces the key, ignoring the DVD's region code (if any).

Downloading libdvdcss into the HandBrake installation folder will help HandBrake decrypt DVDs and convert DVDs to MP4, MKV, or WebM format.

So now, you may want to learn how to download and install libdvdcss into HandBrake.

Key Features:

• Excel in getting rid of encryption from DVD and Blu-ray under the help of 3rd party apps. But keep in mind just part of encrypted DVDs, not all, esp. not the latest DVDs.
• Rip DVD to MP4, MKV, or WebM, with over 87 preset profiles adjusted with perfect parameters for iPhone, Android, iPad, etc. mobile devices.
• Intel QSV decoding is supportive to speed up DVD conversion speed.

Pros:

• 100% free to use and get free upgrades at high frequency.
• Both DVD and Blu-ray discs are acceptable.
• Rip DVDs with selected chapters.
• Go fast and produce a high-quality file.

Cons:

• Need to install VLC or libdvdcss library.
• Only three video container formats.
• No DVD backup mode.

Part 4. Side-by-side Comparison on Top DVD Decrypters

Magic DVD Ripper, Clone DVD, and RipIt4Me are lesser known DVD decrypter programs and are not highly recommended. Here, we pick top 7 best DVD decrypting tools and make a detailed comparison. You can't generate an intuitive picture of their differences. That's why this part exists, presenting you a visualized comparison table with the main DVD encryption techs covered.

The table is self-explanatory. The top pick, for most users, goes to WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, for it can handle 98% DRM protected DVDs and rip DVD to any format with 350+ pre-programmed profiles. For those who are in possession of a broad array of Blu-ray discs, MakeMKV is really up to the mark. Handbrake also wins 5-star recommendation if most of your DVDs are old discs and your need is a free DVD decryption application.

Part 5. Common DVD Decrypting Errors You May Meet

Here we sift through the most common errors resulted from Marvel, DC, Disney, Sony, Lionsgate DVDs, and others.

1. "DVDs with Unknown Bad Sectors"

You must feel confused why the DVD decrytion application says bad sectors on DVD disc since your DVD disc isn't physically damaged or scratched. It doesn't concern the external physical matter but the DVD copyright protection.

* This error usually occurs when you rip Sony Picture DVDs, such as Spider Man, Little Women, Venom, etc.

2. "Can't find correct title"

The free DVD decrypter you use auto selects title 9 (only 1 minute in length) of DVD Power Rangers while other users point out the main title being title 40 or 41. But your tool doesn't unfold title 40 or 41.

* This often shows up in Disney DRM DVD decryption (with 99-title encryption) like, Frozen, Maleficent Mistress Of Evil, The Lion King, etc.

3. DVD Playlist Obfuscation

When you rip Lionsgate DVD movies like Midway, Knives Out, etc., you will find that there are over 30 VTS_xx folders listed with the same length pgc/ ifo titles in there. Though some of your Lionsgate discs can be decrypted, some minor discrepancies exist between the output rips and the original disc in playback. In most cases, your DVD encryption removal tool just quits and doesn't progress.

* Playlist Obfuscation (aks. Screen Pass protection) is the main copyright protection scheme used in Lionsgate DVD.

4. I/O Error!

The I/O errors prevent a user from backing up some new DVDs. The error messages come with ID CRC or ECC Error or Copy Protection Key Exchange Failure - Authentication Failure, indicating that the free DVD decrypting software can't handle the new schemes. You can fix the I/O error here.

5. DVD Decrypter Freezes

A DVD decrypter gets stuck in the middle of DVD backup without giving any clue. Users may see error messages like ParseVTSM Runtime Exception, Abnormal Program Termination, etc., or a blank screen.

6. Incomplete DVD Rips

No exception or error pops up during DVD decryption and ripping. But it comes after the rip. Some, if not all, complain that the output only has 7 Mb inside.

7. Oversized Output File

Quite a number of users ask on forums if someone can shed light on why the output DVD file has 74 1GB files on it. As is known to all, that is not possible on a DVD. Yes, this attributes to DVD DRM protection and often happens on Disney DVDs.

These errors ruin your day! How to avoid these errors during DVD decryption and ripping? First things first. Use well-qualified free DVD decryption software. Instead of aimlessly looking around with much time wasted, it would be much wiser to have a check on our recommendations. Each of them has their own talents with the purpose to address your different needs.

Part 6. Frequently Asked Questions