Download Install HandBrake libdvdcss to Rip Protected DVDs

What is libdvdcss? It sounds complicated. How to download libdvdcss.pkg Mac or install libdvdcss.dll Windows 10/11 for HandBrake in order to decrypt a movie DVD?

Q - "Handbrake problems help! I can't use handbrake to rip DVDs on my new laptop. When I got it all set up and ripped a DVD, the pictures and sound were all scrambled. Should I download and install the libdvdcss.dll? How can I do this? I'm a Windows 10 PC user."

Libdvdcss has been removed from HandBrake since V0.9.2, and now you can only find libDVDNav in HandBrake under Tools > Preferences > Advanced > DVD Reading. But without libdvdcss, HandBrake cannot rip DVDs encrypted with CSS. To handle the protections, you need to manually download libdvdcss for Handbrake. Here are the steps[with pictures] to install libdvdcss for Handbrake on Windows/Mac to rip protected DVDs.

Note: can downloading and installing VLC libdvdcss Mac/Windows solve the "HandBrake won't work" problems depending on the copy protection.

Rip All Protected DVDs without Installing libdvdcss for Handbrake on Mac/Windows

Downloading and installing libdvdcss.pkg/libdvdcss.dll for Handbrake can only rip DVDs with region codes and CSS. Handbrake with libdvdcss won't work with DVDs encrypted by Disney X-project DRM, RCE, Sony ArccOS, and other advanced schemes.

But you can remove all DVD encryptions with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum - the most powerful Handbrake alternative for Windows and Mac. It rips protected DVDs alone without using libdvdcss or additional tools. It supports CSS encryption, region code, Sony ARccOS, UOPs, APS, RCE, etc. and it gets updated continuously with new protection measures. Easily rip any protected DVD to MP4, H.264, AVI, WMV, MOV, etc.

Part 1. What Is Libdvdcss?

libdvdcss = lib (library) + dvd (DVD) + css (Content Scrambling System, a kind of DVD copy protection)

To sum up, libdvdcss (or libdvdcss2 in some repositories) is a part of the VideoLAN project, which alone is only a free and open-source software library that can find and guess keys to do the DVD decryption, so that CSS-protected DVDs will be played correctly. Together with media player software and free DVD rippers, such as VLC and HandBrake, libdvdcss helps them read and decrypt DVDs of different regions or encrypted with CSS. And because it uses a generated list of possible player keys, libdvdcss has never been legally challenged.

More Info about libdvdcss Mac/Windows

• The latest version is libdvdcss 1.4.3.
• libdvdcss is used only for free software, like HandBrake to decrypt DVDs.
• libdvdcss is allowed to run on macOS (libdvdcss error since El Capitan), Windows NT 4.0 SP4 (with IE 5.0) or later, Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Haiku, Solaris, QNX and OS/2. Many GNU/Linux distributions do not contain libdvdcss (for example, Ubuntu and SUSE Linux) due to fears of running afoul of DMCA-style laws, but they often provide the tools to let users install libdvdcss themselves.
• VLC installed with libdvdcss supports DVDs of all regions (1-6) only if you have RPC1 drives, for raw access to RPC2 drives can't be made successfully, which however is required to circumvent the region protection.

Related external source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libdvdcss

Part 2. How to Download Install Libdvdcss for HandBrake on Windows (11/10)

1. What platforms can install libdvdcss?

Libdvdcss currently can be installed on Windows NT 4.0 SP4 (with IE 5.0) or later, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Haiku, Solaris, QNX, OS/2.

Some platforms come with pre-installed libdvdcss including BackTrack, CrunchBang Linux, LinuxMCE, Linux Mint, PCLinuxOS, Puppy Linux 4.2.1, Slax, Super OS, Pardus, and XBMC Live.

2. Where to download and install libdvdcss?

Libdvdcss is part of the VideoLAN project. The latest version of libdvdcss is 1.4.3, and users can download and install libdvdcss from VideoLAN official site: http://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html

Now let's show you how to download and install libdvdcss/libdvdcss2.dll on Windows (11/10/8/7).

Step 1. libdvdcss-2.dll download on Windows (11/10)
libdvdcss.dll for Windows 32 bit | libdvdcss.dll for Windows 64 bit

Step 2. You don't have to rename libdvdcss-2.dll as libdvdcss.dll. Just cut and paste the downloaded libdvdcss 2 file into your HandBrake program folder. If you didn't manually set the installation path before, it normally is "C:\Program Files\HandBrake".

Step 3. And that's all for installing HandBrake libdvdcss on Windows (10/11).

Part 3. How to Download Install Libdvdcss for HandBrake on Mac

Method 1:

Step 1. Download libdvdcss.pkg on Mac OS.
libdvdcss.pkg for Mac OS

Step 2. Double-click the downloaded libdvdcss installer package file to install libdvdcss on Mac.

Step 3. There is one more step for installing libdvdcss on Mac El Capitan and later macOS as its SIP (System Integrity Protection) will remove libdvdcss by default. To download libdvdcss on Mac later than El Capitan successfully, here are two workarounds:

Option 1. disable SIP. To disable SIP for libdvdcss Handbrake download on Mac, you need to: restart your Mac and simultaneously press down the Command - R keys until you see the Apple logo. Select Utilities > Terminal. Run the command "csrutil disable" in the Terminal and press Return. Exit Terminal and click the Apple menu > Restart to reboot your Mac. Then you should be able to install libdvdcss for Handbrake on Mac without problems.

Option 2. a more complicated but recommended way from a Reddit user (as below).

1. Open a Finder window -> type "cmd+shift+G" or click "Go" and choose "Go to Folder" -> copy and paste /Library/SystemMigration/History/ -> press button "GO" -> open the folder "Migration-[random letters and numbers]" and find "QuarantineRoot" -> libdvdcss file should be in this folder.

2. Again click "Go" on the taskbar -> "Go to Folder" -> type "/usr/local/lib".

3. Cut and paste the libdvdcss file (libdvdcss.2.dylib) to the folder "/usr/local/lib" -> put in your admin password to finish the move and libdvdcss installation on Mac is done.

Method 2:

You can also download and install libdvdcss for Handbrake on Mac Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and earlier using Homebrew. It's pretty simple and fast:

Step 1. Open the Terminal app and install Homebrew on Mac first. Type the following command to complete the installation process:

/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

Step 2. After Homebrew is installed, type brew install libdvdcss in Homebrew and it will automatically install libdvdcss on Mac for Handbrake.

Part 4. How to Rip Protected DVDs for Free Without Installing Libdvdcss?

Libdvdcss is mainly used in free DVD rippers like HandBrake to rip DVDs encrypted with CSS. But libdvdcss can't help crack all CSS keys, let alone many other advanced DVD copy protections besides CSS, such as Region Code, AACS 2.0, Sony ArccOS, UOPs, and Disney X-project DRM. If you are trying to rip Disney DVDs with HandBrake libdvdcss, there might be a "HandBrake won't rip" problem, due to its up to 98 fake titles.

If downloading and installing HandBrake libdvdcss Mac/Windows is too complicated for you, try a much more professional and easier-to-use HandBrake alternative just like WinX DVD Ripper Platinum. It constantly updates with all kinds of latest DVD copy protections.

• Remove all CSS keys, AACS 2.0, UOP, Sony ARccOS, RCE, region, Disney DRM without the need to download libdvdcss on Mac/PC.
• Rip DVD to MP4, MPEG, MOV, WMV, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, Android, PSP, Xbox, etc. (handbrake can't do) and 350+ built-in profiles.
• 1:1 backup DVD to ISO image, copy DVD with full/main title.
• Support sources like DVD discs, ISO files and folders.
• Rip DVDs 5x faster than Handbrake with support for Nvidia/AMD/Intel GPU acceleration, MMX- SSE, 3DNow! and Hyperthreading.

Follow the 3 simple steps below to rip protected DVDs without installing libdvdcss on Windows 11/10/Mac.

Step 1. Run the best free DVD ripper and click the "DVD Disc" button to load the inserted DVD movie info. This smart DVD ripper freeware can auto-detect and select the right main DVD movie title for you.

Step 2. Select the output video format or device. You can choose to rip DVD to MP4, WMV, MPEG, H.264, iPhone, Samsung, etc.

Step 3. Hit the "RUN" button to begin ripping DVDs with the best free Handbrake and libdvdcss alternative.

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

Part 5. Libdvdcss FAQs

1. How to play protected DVDs free without Libdvdcss

Most DVD players rely on installing libdvdcss to play copy-protected DVD. However, even without installing libdvdcss, you can still successfully play any protected DVD with ease with the most popular free DVD player - 5KPlayer. This free tool can play any copy-protected DVD or regular DVD flawlessly.

Additionally, 5KPlayer can also: play all 8K/5K/4K/HD 1080p/720p/SD videos in MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, etc.; free download videos/movies/MP3 songs from YouTube and 1000+ video sites; stream videos/audios to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. for free. It is the best all-in-one free media player for Windows (11/10) and Mac.

Step 1. Insert the DVD disc to DVD-ROM. 5KPlayer alone supports smoothly playing any protected DVD without installing libdvdcss.

Step 2. Click the "DVD" button on the main interface and the DVD movie will start playing automatically.

2. Where can I get libdvdcss?

As libdvdcss is part of the VideoLAN project, you can download it from VideoLAN official site: https://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html.

3. Is libdvdcss legal?

The legality of libdvdcss depends on the jurisdiction in which it is being used. In some countries, including the United States, libdvdcss may be considered illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), as it can be used to circumvent digital rights management (DRM) protections on DVDs. In other countries, such as Canada and some European countries, it may be legal to use libdvdcss with Handbrake for personal use, but illegal to distribute or use it for commercial purposes.

It is important to check the laws in your specific jurisdiction before installing libdvdcss for Handbrake or using any other software that may be used to circumvent DRM protections.

4. Does VLC include libdvdcss?

Yes. Libdvdcss is part of the VideoLAN project and is used by VLC media player and other DVD player software packages.

5. How to download and instsall libdvdcss on Linux Ubuntu/Debian?

Handbrake also works on Linux systems and libdvdcss is also required to Handbrake to rip protected DVDs. To install libdvdcss (libdvd-pkg) for Handbrake on Linux, here are the steps:

Step 1. Open a terminal app and update your repos using the apt-get command or apt command:

sudo apt-get update or sudo apt-get upgrade

Step 2. Then type the following command line to install the libdvdcss package for Handbrake:

sudo apt install libdvd-pkg

Step 3. Next, you need to type the following dpkg-reconfigure command to download, compile, and install libdvdcss on Linux Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg

6. How do I know if libdvdcss is installed successfully?

To check if libdvdcss is installed successfully on Windows or Mac, you can follow these steps:

Step 1. Open HandBrake and insert a protected DVD into your computer's DVD drive.

Step 2. Attempt to load the DVD using Handbrake. If libdvdcss is installed correctly, Handbrake should be able to read the DVD and load it without any issues.

Step 3. If you receive an error message like "No valid source or titles found", it means that there is no libdvdcss installed or installed properly on your computer.

7. What is the usage of libdvdcss?

Libdvdcss is a free library used for accessing DVDs encrypted with CSS. It alone is a library and can't play or rip a DVD, but it allows programs that support DVD playback to bypass the encryption and read the contents of a DVD disc. The usage of libdvdcss is important because many commercial DVDs are encrypted with CSS encryption, which makes it difficult for users to access and play the DVD contents on their computers.

So libdvdcss is often used together with other DVD player and ripping applications that allow users to copy the contents of a DVD disc for personal use. For example, Handbrake uses libdvdcss to decode encrypted DVDs, or it can only rip DVDs without protections.