How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac for Free

I want to convert a collection of latest bought DVDs to MP4 for my upcoming trip. But, how can I do this on my Mac computer?

Mac's Disk Utility can create an image file from our DVD, but it cannot output MP4 file. To convert DVD to MP4 on Mac, you'll have to download and install a third-party DVD ripper on your Mac. So here we'll introduce you 3 free programs to rip DVD to MP4 on Mac, namely WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free, HandBrake, and VLC. If your DVDs are copy-protected, WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free is the way to go. Now read the detailed tutorials below.

Part 1. Our Top 6 Picks for Best DVD to MP4 Converter for Mac

Method 1. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac with WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free

WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free, a 100% free DVD rippers for Mac, is focusing on helping users rip protected DVD to MP4 (MPEG/H.264) for free on all Mac platforms.

• Supported OS: macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, (High) Sierra, Mac OS X El Capitan/Yosemite/Mavericks, etc.
• Bypass DVD protections: DVD CSS, UOP, RCE, region code, Sony ARccOS, Disney X-project DRM, etc.
• Supported input sources: DVD disc, DVD folder, ISO image file
• Supported output formats: Mac general video (MP4, MOV, M4V), PC general video (MP4, MPEG, AVI), iTunes (MP4, H.264), YouTube video (MP4, FLV), music (MP3, AAC, AC3), image (PNG), device profiles (iPhone, iPad, Android, Sony, Microsoft), etc.

Unique features:

• Convert copy-protected DVDs to MP4 for free on Mac, including region-locked DVDs, old DVDs, unplayable discs, 99-title DVDs, etc.
• The support for Intel QSV and NVIDIA NVENC/Cuda can speed up DVD to MP4 conversion on Mac by about 5x faster than others.
• Practical video editing features like merge titles, cut off trailer/ads, trim video clip, crop, add subtitles, adjust video/audio parameter settings like video resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, etc. to get expected output effect.

* 100% clean and secure, with no adware, malware, spyware, virus at all *

How to Free Convert DVDs to MP4 on Mac?

First of all, free download and install WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free on your M1/M2 Macs, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, or Mac mini.

Step 1: Load the DVD movie into this free DVD to MP4 converter for Mac.

Put target DVD into the DVD-ROM. Open the software WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free, then click "DVD" button on its top-left corner to load the detailed DVD information. DVD folder and ISO image file input options are also provided next to it. This tool can auto check the right DVD main title for you, which the free Handbrake can't do.

Step 2: Choose MP4 (MPEG4/H264) as the target output.

In the auto pop-up Output Profile window, click Mac General Video --> MP4 Video. Then tap "Done".

Before beginning to free convert DVD to MP4 on Mac, you can click "Edit" icon to crop, trim, expand the DVD movie video, or add external SRT subtitles to it; or click the wheel-like icon to open the video/audio parameter settings window to make free adjustments to get desired output effects for the MP4 video.

Step 3: Start converting DVD to MP4 file for free.

Click "Browse" button on the bottom to choose a preferred destination folder to save the ripped DVD movie video.

Then tap "RUN" button to start ripping DVD to MP4 video for free without losing quality with this powerful yet free DVD converter.

Tips:

• Use "Safe Mode" to steer away all hitches if you meet problem in ripping copy protected DVD.
• Maximize the DVD conversion speed by choosing CPU Core use (utmost 8).
• Tick "High Quality Engine" or "Keep Origin" to output best video quality.

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. Still have trouble about converting DVD to MP4 on Mac? Please feel free to Email Us >>

Method 2. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac Free with HandBrake

• Supported OS: Current version 1.5.1 can work well on macOS 10.13 and later.
• Bypass DVD copy protection: No, HandBrake can't circumvent DVD copy protection on its own. If you want to rip copy-protected DVD to MP4, you need to install libdvdcss on Mac for HandBrake.
• Supported input sources: DVD and Bluray sources, and common multimedia files
• Supported output formats: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM

HandBrake is a free and open source tool you can use to convert DVD to MP4 on Mac. It's easy to use and has a variety of customization options for video and audio quality. It also supports batch processing, so you can rip multiple DVDs at once. HandBrake is a great choice if you're looking for a powerful, flexible, and free DVD to MP4 converter for Macbook Pro/Air, iMac, or Mac mini.

How to Free Convert a DVD to MP4 with HandBrake?

If you have installed HandBrake on Mac and inserted target DVD into DVD drive, it's time to open HandBrake for converting DVD to MP4 on Mac.

Step 1. HandBrake will present Open Source dialog on launch. What you need to do there is to select the DVD you just insert. After that, HandBrake will start scanning the DVD. There are usually dozens of titles to scan. Once finished, you should use HandBrake's Title control to select the title you want to convert to MP4.

Step 2. Choose a preset, such as Fast 576p25. After you choose a desired preset, click Summary tab and make sure the format is MP4.

Step 3. If you don't need to adjust other settings, now you can click the Browse button to choose a save path for the MP4 output.

Step 4. Click the Start button on the Toolbar to begin converting DVD to MP4 on Mac with HandBrake.

Method 3. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac Free with VLC

• Supported OS: Current version 3.0.16 requires Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later.
• Bypass DVD copy protection: CSS
• Supported input sources: DVD, Blu-ray, Audio CD, SVCD/VCD
• Supported output formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, WebM, MP3, etc.

VLC is a popular media player that can also convert DVDs to MP4 and other formats on Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, or Mac mini. It's free and open-source, and can handle most types of DVDs, including those with copy protections. VLC has a simple interface and is easy to use, and it can also play a wide range of video and audio formats. This is a good choice if you're looking for a free and versatile DVD ripper that can also play your videos.

How to Rip DVDs to MP4 for Free with VLC?

To get started, download and install VLC on your Mac. Then insert target DVD into your Mac's DVD drive and follow the steps below. Here is a detailed guide on how to convert DVDs to MP4 using VLC:

Step 1. Open VLC, click File menu, and choose Open Disc. Then Open Source window will show up. And here you should see your DVD name. now, click Disable DVD menus.

Step 2. Check Stream output at the bottom left and then click Settings to open Streaming and Transcoding Options. What you need to do here include:

• Check File and click Browse to specify a save location and a name for your mp4 output.
• Click the Encapsulation Method drop-down box and choose MPEG 4.
• Adjust video/audio settings if necessary.

Then click OK.

Step 3. After you get back to Open Source, click the blue Open button to begin converting DVD to MP4 on Mac with VLC. Generally, it will take anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes per half-hour of video.

Method 4. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac with Cisdem Video Converter

• Price: $49.99 lifetime license with free trial
• Supported OS: macOS 10.10 or later
• Bypass DVD copy protection: CSS, RPC, RCE, Disney X-project DRM, UOP, ARccOS, etc.
• Supported input sources: DVD disc, DVD folder, ISO image file
• Supported output formats: MP4, M4V, WMV, MP3, iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Nokia, HTC, iTunes, TV, blackberry, etc.

Cisdem Video Converter is a paid tool for Mac to convert DVDs to MP4, MKV, MOV, H.265 MP4, and various different formats. You can use it to rip protected DVDs to MP4 on Macs. There are also features to trim the video, crop, rotate, apply effects, add watermarks/subtitles, etc. The speed is fast and the quality is good. Compared to other DVD to MP4 converters on the list, it lacks the support for hardware acceleration which can speed up DVD to MP4 conversion a lot. There is no option to save an intact DVD copy in ISO image or Video_TS folder on Mac either.

Steps to Convert a DVD to MP4 on Mac with Cisdem Video Converter

Step 1. Download and install Cisdem Video Converter on Mac. Then launch it and insert the source DVD into Mac’s optical drive.

Step 2. Find the DVD icon in the Finder and drag it to the DVD to MP4 ripper. It will load the source immediately.

Step 3. Choose the titles, subtitle tracks, and audio tracks that you’d like to keep in the output MP4 video. Then click on the format-choosing icon nearby "Convert all tasks to" and select MP4 as the output format.

Step 4. After all the settings, click the convert button to rip DVDs to MP4 video on Mac.

Method 5. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac with Movavi Free Video Converter

• Supported OS: macOS 10.10 or later
• Bypass DVD copy protection: No
• Supported input sources: DVD disc
• Supported output formats: MP4, M4V, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, WebM, MPG, VOB, etc.

Movavi Video Converter is a simple and free DVD to MP4 converter for Mac. It offers the essential functions to convert DVDs to MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, M2TS, 180+ formats and 200+ device profiles. The speed and output quality are acceptable. If you need to speed up the conversion speed and get more editing features, you need to upgrade to its pro version. However, both the free and pro versions don’t support protected DVDs. That means you can only convert homemade DVDs to MP4 on Mac using this program.

How to Convert Unprotected DVDs to MP4 on Mac with Movavi Free Video Converter?

Step 1. Download and install this free DVD to MP4 converter on Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, or Mac mini. Then launch it and insert the source DVD into Mac’s optical drive.

Step 2. Click the Add Media button, then select Add DVD > Open DVD, and find the VIDEO_TS folder on your DVD.

Step 3. In the Video or Devices tab at the bottom of the video converter interface, find and select MP4 as the output format.

Step 4. Click Save to to specify the folder on your hard drive to save the converted MP4 files. Then click the Convert button to start to rip.

Method 6. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac with MacX DVD Ripper Free Edition?

• Supported OS: macOS Ventura or earlier
• Bypass DVD copy protection: Region codes, CSS, RPC, RCE, Disney X-project DRM, UOP, ARccOS, etc.
• Supported input sources: DVD, ISO image, Video_TS folder
• Supported output formats: MP4, M4V, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, WebM, MPG, VOB, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, TV, etc.

MacX DVD Ripper Free Edition is a free DVD to MP4 converter for macOS. It's designed to be fast and efficient, and can rip DVDs with copy protections. The free DVD to MP4 converter for Mac also includes a range of video editing features, so you can trim, crop, and adjust your videos before you convert them. This is a good choice if you need a reliable, fast, and easy-to-use DVD ripper with advanced features.

How to Convert DVDs to MP4 on MacOS with MacX DVD Ripper Free Edition?

Step 1. Download and install this free DVD to MP4 converter on Mac. Then launch it and insert the source DVD into Mac's optical drive.

Step 2. Click the DVD button, then select the source DVD. Wait for it to analyze the DVD information and find the DVD title.

Step 3. Once the DVD is loaded, it will then ask you to select an output format. Choose MP4 from the formats list and click OK to continue.

Step 4. In the Destination Folder section, choose a folder on your Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, or Mac mini to save the converted MP4 video. Then click Run to start converting.

Method 7. How to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac Free with FFmpeg?

• Supported OS: macOS, Windows, and Linux
• Bypass DVD copy protection: No
• Supported input sources: ISO image, Video_TS folder
• Supported output formats: AVI, WMV9, DIVX, MP3, MPEG1-2-4, DV, MJPEG, H.263, H.264, 3GPP, AMR, FLV and many others.

FFmpeg is an open-source command-line tool for audio and video file processing. It's able to convert DVD video (namely the VOB files in the VIDEO_TS folder and DVD ISO image files) into MP4 and various other formats. There are many useful commands and flags that you can use together freely to customize the output files. However, you can't use FFmpeg to rip protected DVDs to MP4 as it doesn't have the DVD decrypting ability. While it's packed with an enormous amount of functionality, FFmpeg is daunting for beginners. But you can find many GUI for it online.

How to Rip DVDs to MP4 on Mac Free with FFmpeg?

Step 1. Go to the official site of FFmpeg. Click on the Apple logo and choose the Static builds for macOS 64-bit. After you're redirected to the evermeet.cx site, choose the download option with the shorter filename, for example, click on the ffmpeg-6.0.7z. Then extract the file and click on the file. You may need to change the settings in the System Preferences in order to open it.

Step 2. Double click the FFmpeg file, and a new Terminal window will open. You will then need to enter in the command to convert a DVD to MP4. You need to know that FFmpeg can't read data from a DVD directly. So you need to import the DVD ISO image or Video_TS folder to Mac, or browse for the DVD files in the Finder and get the .vob file name you want to convert.

Step 3. Now enter the command line and click Enter to start converting the DVD video to MP4 on Mac. Based on the source DVD files, here are some example commands:

ffmpeg -i VTS_01_1.VOB -b:v 1500k -r 30 -vcodec h264 -strict -2 -acodec aac -ar 44100 -f mp4 convert.mp4

ffmpeg -i "concat:VTS_01_1.VOB|VTS_01_2.VOB" -vcodec libx265 new-video-h265.mp4

ffmpeg -i My_DVD.iso -c:v libx265 -c:a libopus -c:s copy output.mp4

Conclusion: Which Is the Best Software to Convert DVD to MP4 on Mac?

Each DVD converter has its own advantages and disadvantages. WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free is specially designed to convert DVD, so it features powerful DVD decrypting capability, fast processing speed, and great output quality. HandBrake is a powerful video transcoder with many advanced options, but it cannot handle sources with any kind of copy protection. VLC is a multifunctional tool, but it converts DVDs very slowly. So when it comes to which is the best DVD to MP4 converter for Mac, WinX DVD Ripper Mac Free is the answer. The most professional is the best. You can give it a try!

FAQ about Converting DVDs to MP4 on Mac

1. Can VLC convert a DVD to MP4 on Mac?

Yes, VLC media player can be used to convert a DVD to MP4 format on a Mac, though it can't rip a DVD with copy protection. In Method 3 above, we've showed you how to can convert DVDs to MP4 with VLC.

2. What is the best way to convert DVD to MP4 on Mac?

The best way to convert a DVD to MP4 on Mac depends on what you care or need the most. For example, you may want a fast DVD ripping speed, the DVD decryption ability, convert a DVD to MP4 with customization options, etc, There are several software options available for ripping DVDs, both free and paid. HandBrake, VLC, and WinX DVD Ripper are popular choices. Choose the Mac DVD to MP4 converter that suits your needs and download/install it.

1. Obtain DVD ripping software. Insert the DVD into your Mac computer's DVD drive.
2. Launch the DVD to MP4 ripping software on your Mac and choose the DVD drive as the source to import the DVD contents.
3. Choose MP4 as the output format and adjust various settings if necessary, such as video quality, resolution, audio tracks, subtitles, and more.
4. Once you have set the desired settings, start the conversion process. The software will read the DVD contents and convert them into MP4 format.
5. After the conversion is complete, the software will save the resulting MP4 file to a specified location on your Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, or Mac mini.

3. Can QuickTime Convert DVD to MP4?

No. QuickTime can neither play a DVD or rip a DVD to MP4. However, QuickTime is able to record a DVD and save it in MP4. What you need is to play the DVD movie in another DVD player such as VLC. Then in the QuickTime Player app on your Mac, choose File > New Screen Recording to open Screenshot and display the tools. QuickTime will start to record the DVD movie.

4. How long does it take to rip a DVD to MP4 on Mac?

The time it takes to rip a DVD to MP4 on a Mac can vary depending on various factors such as the speed of your DVD drive, the processing power of your computer, the settings you choose for the ripping process, the length of the DVD movie, and the specific DVD ripping software you use. In general, it takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to rip a standard DVD to MP4 format on Mac. If you want to speed up the DVD to MP4 conversion speed on Mac, you can choose a DVD ripper that supports GPU acceleration or other accelerating tech, such as WinX DVD Ripper or Handbrake.