How to Rip DVD to NAS (Synology/QNAP) for Streaming & Backup

Want to ditch the stacks of DVDs and easily stream your movie collection from your Synology, QNAP, or other NAS? While free tools like MakeMKV and HandBrake are often mentioned to rip DVD to NAS, they might not fully meet your needs. MakeMKV creates large, uncompressed files, eating up valuable NAS space. HandBrake can be tricky with copy-protected discs and isn't always the fastest or easiest to use. So, what's the ideal DVD ripper that can handle all your DVDs, bypass copy protection, deliver good quality in manageable file sizes, and make streaming from your NAS a breeze?

Part 1. How to Rip DVDs to NAS on PC/Mac for Streaming

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum can easily rip DVD to Network Drive Synology NAS, QNAP, etc. in the format you need for easy streaming or safe backup. Download and install the DVD to NAS movie ripper on your computer. This DVD to NAS ripper is available in both Windows and Mac versions.

Free download the Windows (11/10 and earlier) version
Free download the Mac (Sonoma and earlier) version

So, you're ready to ditch the discs and copy your DVD onto your Synology NAS? Awesome! To show you exactly how it's done, we'll walk through the process step-by-step using a Windows 10 or 11 computer as our example.

Step 1. Insert a DVD disc

Insert your DVD into the optical drive. Open the DVD to Synology NAS ripper and click "DVD Disc". Select the source DVD disc and click OK to load it.

Step 2. Choose an output format

Once the DVD is loaded, the main title will be auto selected for a protected movie DVDs without any 3rd party help. Then an output video format list will pop up asking you to select an output format for NAS drive.

To rip DVDs for NAS streaming, you're suggested to rip DVDs to MP4. Go to General Profiles > select MP4 Video from the list. H.264, WMV, MOV, MKV, and devices such as iPhone, iPad, Samsung, and many more are all accessible.

To save a 100% quality DVD copy in NAS media server, navigate to the DVD backup profile and select ISO image or DVD folder as the output format, which will backup DVD to NAS drive with all menus/chapters kept.

Step 3. Set an output folder

Set a folder on your computer to save the output file. Go to "Destination Folder" -> "Browse" -> choose a folder -> click OK.

Step 4. Start ripping DVD to NAS.

Hit the button "RUN" and the DVD to NAS conversion starts right away. Minutes later, you will get a movie video for NAS. Then you can import the DVD movie video to your NAS Synology, QNAP, etc. via File Station or save it to any home media server, hard drives, mobile devices, etc.

Pro tips: After ripping your DVD to NAS, consider using an AI video enhancer to improve its quality before playback. Modern AI tools can intelligently reduce noise, sharpen edges, and upscale standard-definition (SD) DVD videos, making them look clearer and more detailed when streamed from your NAS to TVs or other devices. This ensures a much better viewing experience without simply enlarging blurry pixels. Learn more at best video enhancer software.

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.

Hardware Requirements: Rip and Backup DVD to NAS

Here's a closer look at the hardware you'll need to rip DVDs and store them on your NAS:

Essential Hardware. Computer with a DVD Drive: This seems obvious, but ensure your computer has a functioning DVD drive. Internal drives are most common, but external DVD drives connected via USB also work if compatible with your system.

DVD Compatibility. Not all DVD drives are created equal. Some struggle with heavily scratched or copy-protected DVDs. If you encounter issues with specific DVDs, consider upgrading your DVD drive to a model known for better compatibility. The above DVD ripper for NAS should deal with any copy protected DVD and damaged DVDs successfully.

Network Connection. A stable network connection between your computer and NAS is crucial. Ideally, a wired connection via ethernet cable offers the fastest and most reliable data transfer speeds compared to Wi-Fi.

Part 2. Best DVD Format for NAS: MP4 vs MKV vs ISO

Choosing the right format is one of the most important steps when ripping DVDs to NAS. If you want to stream DVDs through Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby, a highly compatible format like MP4 can reduce unnecessary transcoding. If your goal is long-term preservation, MKV or ISO may be a better choice because they keep more of the original DVD content.

1. Best Format for Streaming DVDs from NAS via Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin

For most home media servers, MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio provides the best balance between compatibility, quality, and file size. This format is widely supported by Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, and smart TVs, reducing the chance of playback issues or real-time transcoding.

• Format: MP4
• Video codec: H.264 (recommended)
• Audio codec: AAC or AC3
• Resolution: DVD standard 480p/576p

When you rip DVDs to NAS in MP4 format, your media server can usually direct play the video without converting it again. This helps reduce CPU usage on the NAS and provides smoother playback, especially on lower-powered Synology or QNAP models.

2. Best Format for DVD Backup on NAS

For users who want to preserve their DVD collection rather than only stream movies, MKV is usually the preferred choice. MKV can store multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapter information in a single file, making it suitable for movie archives and collectors who want to keep more of the original disc content.

• Format: MKV
• Video codec: H.264 or H.265
• Subtitle support: Multiple subtitle tracks
• Audio support: Multiple language tracks

However, MKV compatibility depends on the playback device and media server settings. Some devices may require Plex or another media server to transcode MKV files before playback. For maximum device compatibility, MP4 remains the safer choice.

3. Should You Rip DVDs to ISO for NAS Backup?

ISO images are ideal when you want an exact copy of a DVD. Unlike MP4 or MKV, ISO keeps the original DVD structure, including menus, chapters, and special features. However, ISO files are much larger and are not as convenient for everyday streaming.

Many users choose ISO for archival purposes and MP4/MKV for daily playback, depending on whether they prioritize preservation or convenience.

NAS Transcoding: Why Format Choice Matters

Some NAS devices can transcode unsupported video formats during playback, but real-time transcoding requires significant CPU resources. If multiple family members stream videos at the same time, a NAS may struggle with high-resolution or incompatible files.

Choosing a NAS-friendly format such as MP4 H.264 helps your media server use direct play instead of relying on transcoding, resulting in smoother streaming and lower hardware requirements.

Key Takeaway: For most users, MP4 with H.264 is the best format for ripping DVDs to NAS because it offers the widest compatibility with Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, and streaming devices. Choose MKV when preserving multiple subtitles and audio tracks matters, and use ISO when you need a complete backup of the original DVD structure.

Part 3. What Is NAS and Why Use It for a DVD Collection?

NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a dedicated storage device connected to your home network that allows multiple devices to access files from a centralized location. Unlike a traditional external hard drive that is usually connected to one computer, a NAS works as a personal media server where you can store, organize, and stream your digital DVD collection throughout your home.

After ripping DVDs to a NAS drive, you can watch your movies on smart TVs, computers, phones, tablets, and streaming devices through media server apps such as Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, or Synology's built-in video applications. This eliminates the need to manually move video files between devices or keep physical discs nearby.

Why Store Ripped DVDs on a NAS?

1. Store your entire DVD collection in one NAS location and access it from multiple devices across your home network.
2. Stream ripped DVDs to smart TVs, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Plex, Jellyfin, and other media players without using physical discs.
3. Digitizing DVDs reduces disc clutter and helps protect your collection from scratches, aging, and frequent handling.
4. NAS devices support expandable storage, making them suitable for growing movie libraries.
5. RAID configurations can improve storage reliability and protect against certain drive failures.

For DVD collectors, a NAS provides a convenient way to turn a physical disc collection into a searchable and accessible home media library. Combined with the right DVD ripping format, it can deliver smoother playback, easier management, and a better viewing experience.

Part 4. FAQs about How to Rip DVD to NAS

* Still have trouble about putting DVD collection on NAS drive? Just Email Our Support Team >>