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: 115

Expertise

Software review | Tech guide | Optical signal processing

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University

Latest Posts

  • How to Rip DVD to Facebook and Upload Videos Easily [2026 Guide]
    How to Rip DVD to Facebook and Upload Videos Easily [2026 Guide]

    Want to share your favorite DVD clips on Facebook? This guide shows you how to rip DVDs into Facebook-compatible formats using both free and paid tools, and how to upload the videos without losing quality. Please make sure to use it only for personal, legal purposes.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 10, 2026
  • How to Convert AVI to DVD on Windows and Mac in 2026: 6 Best Tools
    How to Convert AVI to DVD on Windows and Mac in 2026: 6 Best Tools

    I tested several AVI to DVD converters and found most free options carry a watermark or reliability trade-offs. DVDFab DVD Creator is the strongest cross-platform pick; WinX DVD Author is the only free, watermark-free option on Windows. A comparison table covers all six tools.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 10, 2026
  • How to Convert 3D Blu-ray to 2D Video: DVDFab 3D Converter Guide
    How to Convert 3D Blu-ray to 2D Video: DVDFab 3D Converter Guide

    Playing 3D Blu-ray movies on a regular TV or VR headset requires converting the disc first — whether to flat 2D video for phones and tablets, or to side-by-side output for Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro. This guide walks through the full four-step process using DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper, covering format selection, MVC track handling, GPU speed, and expected file sizes for each output type.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 10, 2026
  • How to Convert DVD to Digital: 7 Free and Lossless Methods
    How to Convert DVD to Digital: 7 Free and Lossless Methods

    Converting DVD to digital is the process of extracting video data from physical discs into digital files like MP4, MKV, or ISO. To digitize a DVD collection, you can use software such as DVDFab DVD Ripper for encrypted discs and HandBrake for homemade DVD, or utilize mail-in transfer services like Walmart. This guide compares best methods to convert DVDs for playback on mobile devices, TVs, and Plex servers.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 9, 2026
  • 6 Best Blu-ray Burners for Mac: Software & Hardware Guide
    6 Best Blu-ray Burners for Mac: Software & Hardware Guide

    To burn Blu-ray on a Mac, you need an external Blu-ray drive and specialized software. This article reviews the 6 best Blu-ray burning software for Mac, including top-rated options like DVDFab Blu-ray Creator and Roxio Toast. Read on for a hardware buying guide and learn how to import your MP4/MOV files, customize premium disc menus, and fast-burn your video projects to BD-R discs.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 9, 2026
  • MakeMKV vs HandBrake: Which to Use for DVD and Blu-ray Ripping? [2026]
    MakeMKV vs HandBrake: Which to Use for DVD and Blu-ray Ripping? [2026]

    MakeMKV and HandBrake solve different parts of the DVD and Blu-ray backup process. MakeMKV is better for creating MKV files from supported DVD and Blu-ray sources while keeping the original video, audio, subtitles, and chapters. HandBrake is better for compressing and converting existing videos to MP4, MKV, or WebM. Many users use both: MakeMKV first, then HandBrake.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 4, 2026
  • 4 Best MakeMKV Alternatives on Windows and Mac: Review and Comparison
    4 Best MakeMKV Alternatives on Windows and Mac: Review and Comparison

    MakeMKV has long been a go-to free tool for ripping DVDs and Blu-rays. But if it's no longer working or can't meet your additional ripping needs, there are several proven MakeMKV alternatives available. In this guide, we'll explore the best and free MakeMKV alternatives that offer added benefits.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 3, 2026
  • MakeMKV Beta Key June 2026: Current Key & Purchase Status
    MakeMKV Beta Key June 2026: Current Key & Purchase Status

    MakeMKV Beta Key has been updated and is valid until the end of July 2026, restoring free beta access. Permanent key purchases remain unreliable because users still report PayPro checkout errors, leaving many dependent on workarounds and official forum updates.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 3, 2026
  • How to Burn a DVD on Mac: 5 Methods That Work on macOS Sequoia
    How to Burn a DVD on Mac: 5 Methods That Work on macOS Sequoia

    This guide covers 5 ways to burn DVD on Mac: DVDFab DVD Creator for playable video DVDs, Finder for data disc backup, Disk Utility for disk images, a Photos/iMovie slideshow workflow, and the Music app for audio CDs. Updated for macOS Sequoia 15, with external drive setup and blank disc guidance.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 3, 2026
  • How to Compress ISO Files: 4 Methods for Storage, Playback, and Archives
    How to Compress ISO Files: 4 Methods for Storage, Playback, and Archives

    Software ISOs barely shrink with general-purpose archivers because their internal files are already compressed; movie DVD ISOs can drop 50-80% when re-encoded. The methods below cover that range: 7-Zip for free lossless archiving, DVDFab for maximum size reduction via format conversion, ISO Compressor for PSP and Wii game files, and UnZiper for browser-based use.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 2, 2026
  • Is HandBrake Safe? What to Know Before Downloading or Ripping DVDs
    Is HandBrake Safe? What to Know Before Downloading or Ripping DVDs

    HandBrake is safe, legitimate, and free open-source video transcoder when downloaded from trusted sources such as handbrake.fr, the official GitHub project, or Flathub. The official software is not a virus and does not normally contain malware, spyware, or adware, but you should avoid unofficial mirrors, fake download buttons, and bundled installers.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 2, 2026
  • How to Convert DVD to AVI Free and Easily [2026 Updated]
    How to Convert DVD to AVI Free and Easily [2026 Updated]

    Converting DVD to AVI effectively requires choosing the right ripper based on your disc type. For encrypted commercial DVDs, DVDFab DVD Ripper is the recommended solution due to its built-in decryption and GPU acceleration. For homemade or unencrypted discs, free tools like VLC and Icepine are viable alternatives. This guide covers 5 verified methods to help you digitize collections for playback on legacy hardware, such as older car DVD players and DivX-certified devices.

    By Diana Smith - Jun 2, 2026