Diana Smith

DVDFab Editor

Diana Smith is a prolific content creator at DVDFab and specializes in DVD/Blu-ray ripping and backup. With years of experience in software reviews and tech tutorials, her insights have been quoted on many leading tech sites. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, where her research focused on optical signal processing and data encryption. She is a true enthusiast of nostalgic media. Her desk is a testament to this hobby, always neatly stacked with disc drives and DVD collections.
Joined in 2013
Article Contributed: 116

Expertise

Software review | Tech guide | Optical signal processing

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University

Latest Posts

  • How to Rip Blu-ray to MKV on Windows & Mac: 4 Best Converters Tested
    How to Rip Blu-ray to MKV on Windows & Mac: 4 Best Converters Tested

    Ripping Blu-ray to MKV is one of the most effective ways to keep full disc quality, preserve multiple tracks, and make your movies easier to play on different devices. I tested four Blu-ray to MKV converters under identical hardware conditions. DVDFab completed a 33 GB disc in 13 minutes with GPU acceleration; HandBrake needed over 5 hours on CPU for the same source.

    By Diana Smith - May 25, 2026
  • Top 12 DVD to MP4 Converter Software for Win & Mac [2026 Tested]
    Top 12 DVD to MP4 Converter Software for Win & Mac [2026 Tested]

    To convert a DVD to MP4, you'll need "ripping" software to read the physical disc's data and re-encode it into a digital file. While free tools like HandBrake or VLC Media Player are excellent for homemade discs, professional software like DVDFab DVD Ripper is often required for complex movie file structures. To begin, simply insert the DVD, open your selected software, choose the MP4 (H.264/AAC) output profile, and click "Start".

    By Diana Smith - May 22, 2026
  • What is HandBrake Web Optimized and Anamorphic: Details and Guide
    What is HandBrake Web Optimized and Anamorphic: Details and Guide

    HandBrake has two settings that are easy to confuse: Web Optimized and Anamorphic. Web Optimized is for MP4/M4V fast start, so it is worth enabling when the video will be played from a website, CDN, cloud link, or browser. Anamorphic is for display shape, especially with DVD sources that may look stretched or squeezed after conversion. Use Web Optimized for online MP4 playback; adjust Anamorphic only when the output aspect ratio needs to stay correct.

    By Diana Smith - May 21, 2026
  • DVDFab UHD Copy Review (2026): Features, Steps and Tips
    DVDFab UHD Copy Review (2026): Features, Steps and Tips

    In 2026 DVDFab UHD Copy review, we found this software remains the gold standard for home theater enthusiasts looking to back up their physical 4K Blu-ray collections. It balances exceptional decryption power with lossless retention of premium formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. While it requires a compatible UHD-friendly drive, its impressive GPU-accelerated speed makes it a reliable investment for serious media collectors.

    By Diana Smith - May 21, 2026
  • Windows DVD Maker Review: Features, Download Safety, and Alternatives
    Windows DVD Maker Review: Features, Download Safety, and Alternatives

    Windows DVD Maker is a legacy DVD authoring tool once included with Windows Vista and Windows 7. It is not available in Windows 10 or Windows 11, and Microsoft does not offer an official download. To burn videos to playable DVDs on modern PCs, use alternatives such as DVDFab DVD Creator, DVDStyler, or CDBurnerXP.

    By Diana Smith - May 20, 2026
  • How to Rip Audio from DVD with 5 Best Free DVD Audio Extractors [2026]
    How to Rip Audio from DVD with 5 Best Free DVD Audio Extractors [2026]

    To rip audio from a DVD, you can use a free tool like VLC or DVD Audio Extractor to read a disc and export audio as MP3, FLAC, WAV, AC3, DTS, or PCM. For faster results, higher output quality, and support for protected DVDs, I recommend using a dedicated DVD ripper like DVDFab, which can extract the disc’s audio stream directly without requiring a separate video-to-audio conversion.

    By Diana Smith - May 20, 2026
  • Movavi Video Converter Review: Features, Cons, and Alternative
    Movavi Video Converter Review: Features, Cons, and Alternative

    This review offers a clear look at Movavi Video Converter, covering its core features, supported formats, and real-world performance. It also highlights where the software works well and where it falls short. By comparing it with a capable alternative like DVDFab, the article helps you identify which tool fits your video conversion and media management needs.

    By Diana Smith - May 20, 2026
  • Leawo Blu-ray Creator Review: Features, Test, and Alternatives
    Leawo Blu-ray Creator Review: Features, Test, and Alternatives

    Leawo Blu-ray Creator supports standard Blu-ray and DVD burning across Windows and Mac, with 180+ input formats and 40+ menu templates. This review covers the hands-on test results, documented limitations, and alternatives at different prices. The core trade-off is menu flexibility and moderate pricing versus variable output quality. If audio sync accuracy matters for your project, the free trial is worth running on your content before subscribing.

    By Diana Smith - May 19, 2026
  • How to Rip and Extract Hi-Fi Audio from Blu-rays Easily? [2026 Update]
    How to Rip and Extract Hi-Fi Audio from Blu-rays Easily? [2026 Update]

    To rip audio from Blu-ray, you need a Blu-ray reader connected to your computer and software that can read the encrypted Blu-ray disc. The most direct method is to use a Blu-ray audio ripper such as DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper to choose the title, chapter range, and audio stream, then export the audio as FLAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, or another format. For Blu-ray Audio or concert discs, DVD Audio Extractor can also save the audio separately, while MakeMKV with MKVToolNix is better when you want to keep the original Blu-ray audio stream in an MKV first and extract it later.

    By Diana Smith - May 19, 2026
  • How to Rip DVD with VLC Media Player on Windows, Mac and Linux
    How to Rip DVD with VLC Media Player on Windows, Mac and Linux

    VLC DVD Ripper is not a separate product; it is VLC Media Player's built-in disc conversion function for saving readable DVDs as MP4, MKV, AVI, or MPEG files. VLC may work well for simple, unprotected DVDs, and you can simply click "Media > Convert/Save > Disc" to rip DVD with VLC. DVDFab DVD Ripper is more suitable when VLC cannot read the disc, keep subtitles, select the right title, edit the video, or convert the DVD faster.

    By Diana Smith - May 18, 2026
  • How to Copy DVD on Windows 10/11/8/7 Easily [DVD to DVD Copy]
    How to Copy DVD on Windows 10/11/8/7 Easily [DVD to DVD Copy]

    Copying a DVD requires a disc drive and software that fits your goal. For a playable backup disc, DVDFab handles commercial encryption while ImgBurn works for free on unprotected content. For a digital archive without a burner, MakeMKV rips to lossless MKV in 10 to 15 minutes. The guide covers all five methods with tested step-by-step instructions.

    By Diana Smith - May 18, 2026
  • How to Convert 3D Blu-ray to SBS 3D MKV/MP4: Detailed Guide in 2026
    How to Convert 3D Blu-ray to SBS 3D MKV/MP4: Detailed Guide in 2026

    Converting 3D Blu-ray to SBS 3D MKV or MP4 makes 3D movies easier to play on a 3D TV, projector, VR headset, or media player. DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper is a reliable tool for converting Blu-ray to SBS 3D videos, with customizable options for output profiles, subtitles, audio tracks, and video settings. For most users, Half SBS with H.264 is a safe starting point, while Full SBS or H.265 is better for higher detail, smaller files, and compatible playback devices.

    By Diana Smith - May 15, 2026