How to Use HandBrake to Convert DVD to MP4: Detailed Guide

When I tried to convert a stack of old 90s home DVDs for easier playback on my tablet, I ran into one stubborn error after another - discs wouldn't load, titles weren't found, or subtitles dropped out. In fact, as one user on Reddit admitted, "I tried libdvdcss but still couldn't get it to work."

This guide explains when HandBrake works out of the box, when it needs extra setup, and what to do if it still fails. You will learn the fastest way to convert DVD to MP4, common fixes that actually help, and reliable alternatives for fully protected discs.

Quick Answer: When HandBrake Works for DVD to MP4

How to Convert DVD to MP4 using HandBrake

Below you’ll find a clear guide showing how to convert both unprotected and protected DVDs into MP4 files that play smoothly on phones, computers, and smart TVs.

For Homemade or Unprotected DVDs

Step 1: Start HandBrake and Select the Source

• Put a blank DVD in your optical or DVD drive.
• After that, launch HandBrake, which will immediately recognize the DVD.
• On the "Source Selection" page, choose your DVD source. Then, HandBrake will begin loading the DVD.

Step 2: Select the Video Title

• In the "Source" row, you can see information about the movie.
• Use the "Title" drop-down menu to pick the video title you want to convert into an MP4. The video with the longest length is often chosen as the main movie or title.

Step 3: Choose a Quality Profile

• The next step is to choose an output profile by clicking in the "Preset" box. To ensure the highest output quality, use a preset that matches the original video settings. Avoid using 720p or 1080p options for DVDs. NTSC DVDs are 720 x 480 (480p), PAL DVDs are 720 x 576 (576p). Opting for a higher preset won't enhance the quality; it will only increase the file size.

Step 4: Select the Output Format

• Go to the Summary tab and choose MP4 as the container format. Under Video, make sure the codec is H.264 (x264) for best compatibility.

Step 5: Select a Location and Convert

• To store the converted video, click the "Browse" button and select a folder destination. Make sure the folder has enough room for the file that you want to convert.

• Click the "Start Encode" button to begin converting.

For CSS-protected DVDs (Using Libdvdcss)

To get started, download and install Libdvdcss by following the steps outlined below. Keep in mind that this method can be tricky and only works for DVDs with basic CSS and RLE protection. For DVDs with stronger protections, using dedicated software like DVDFab DVD Ripper is a simpler and more effective solution.

Step 1: Download and Install Libdvdcss

Install Libdvdcss on Windows:

• Download the latest libdvdcss-2.dll from the VideoLAN archive
• Copy it into the folder where HandBrake is installed—usually C:\Program Files\HandBrake\

Install Libdvdcss on Mac

Due to protocol security on macOS, you cannot install the library file using an installer. So, you have to use Terminal and an add-on called Homebrew. 

• Open "Terminal".
• Copy and paste the following text into the "Terminal" window and hit "Return": 

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

• You'll be asked to click "Return" and input your administrator password. This step also installs some parts of Apple's Xcode developer software. You must Approve when a pop up asks you to do so.
• After finishing the previous step, you'll see normal prompts.
• In "Terminal", paste the brew install Libdvdcss code and hit "Return".
• When the process is complete, you can close the "Terminal" window and you can use HandBrake to rip copy-protected DVDs.

Install Libdvdcss on Linux

• Most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, contain a package management tool, with APT (Advanced Package Tool) being one of the most commonly used. You can use APT to install HandBrake on Ubuntu (version 11 and later), open a terminal, and enter the following commands to start the installation:

The command above will:

Line 1: Add the HandBrake source to APT.
Line 2: Update the list of APT packages.
Line 3: Install HandBrake software.
Line 4: Download extra tools and codecs (including Libdvdcss).
Line 5: Install more tools and codecs.

Step 2: Open HandBrake and Load the DVD

• Choose DVD Drive from the sidebar. HandBrake will scan the DVD source titles, which may take time. Incorrectly installing Libdvdcss will result in an error message claiming the disc can't be read here.

Step 3: Choose the DVD Title

• To convert a specific title, first open the "Title" dropdown box. HandBrake will automatically select the main movie, but if you wish to convert deleted scenes or special features, modify the option here.

Step 4: Select Quality Preset and Format

• Press "Preset" to specify the file's output quality. The "Presets" list contains multiple choices, including "Fast" and "Very Fast" (output will be compact but low quality), as well as "HQ" and "Super HQ" (output will be higher in quality but bigger file size).

• After that, choose a format under the "Summary" tab. Choose MP4 or any other formats if you want to.

Step 5: Decide the Location and Start Converting

• Click "Browse" beside the "Save As" bar to select the folder where your movie will be saved.
• Click "Start Encoding" located at the top of the screen.

Common HandBrake DVD to MP4 Ripping Issues

Even experienced users encounter problems when ripping DVDs with HandBrake. Below you'll find the most frequent issues and tested solutions, explained step by step so you can quickly pinpoint what’s going wrong.

Handbrake Converts Only a Part of the DVD

This problem usually means HandBrake read part of the disc but failed mid-way, producing a half-length MP4.

No valid source or titles found

This error usually appears immediately after inserting the DVD and clicking "Open Source." The root causes vary by protection level and operating system.

Subtitles Missing or Out of Sync

Subtitle errors are less critical but common. HandBrake offers both soft (toggle on/off) and burned-in subtitles, which behave differently across players.

The Best HandBrake Alternative for DVD Ripping

If you've cleaned the disc, installed libdvdcss, and tried multiple drives but still see errors when converting DVDs to MP4, the DVD is almost certainly encrypted beyond HandBrake's scope. At that point, using a HandBrake alternative will save you hours of trial and error.

DVDFab DVD Ripper is a DVD to MP4 converter that can decrypt almost all copy-protection either old or new such as APS, CSS, Sony DADC, RC, and many more. So, you don't have to add any extra library to convert encrypted DVDs.

Aside from removing copy protection, this software can convert any DVD to over 1000 video and audio codecs, allowing you to playback on any device. This clearly shows that DVDFab DVD Ripper is better than HandBrake, in which the latter can only convert DVDs to MP4, WebM, and MKV. The following are the key features of DVDFab DVD Ripper:

Supported OS:

Key Features:

• Lossless Quality Conversion: DVDFab DVD Ripper enables you to convert DVDs to MP4, MKV, MP3, AVI, and other 100+ formats, while preserving the original 1:1 quality.
• Excellent Compression: Allows you to compress video size while maintaining original image quality on all mobile devices.
• Support GPU Acceleration: Enabling you to convert 50 times faster, converting a standard DVD movie in just 5 minutes.
• Support Multitasking Mode: Allows you to queue many converting tasks, and the software will begin the next work as soon as one is completed.
• Features Built-in Video Editor: Allows you to trim, crop, add watermark, merge, add external subtitles, and adjust brightness.

How to Convert Any Protected DVD to MP4 using DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1. Download and set up DVDFab 13 on your desktop.

Step 2. Launch the app and pick the "Ripper" tab. After that, place the DVD into the optical drive, or if you've already inserted it, click the "Add" button. If the source is an ISO file or folder, all you have to do is drag and drop into the main window.

Step 3. Click on "Choose Other Profile" to choose the desired video format, then select MP4 as the output format.

You can also customize the output by pressing the "Advanced Settings" and "Video Edit" buttons. Additionally, you can adjust the language and audio tracks, add external subtitles, and extract subtitles from DVD to SRT format.

Step 4. Choose a destination for the output file and click "Start" to convert.

Comparison: HandBrake vs. DVDFab DVD Ripper

Here is a comparison chart covering helpful features for DVD to MP4 conversion that should help you recognize the differences between HandBrake and DVDFab DVD Ripper.

FAQs

How long does it take to convert a DVD to MP4 with HandBrake?

Conversion time depends heavily on the preset, codec, and hardware acceleration in use. In a test environment running Windows 11 with AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, Radeon RX 7900 XT, and 32 GB RAM, a 44-minute DVD ISO (7.83 GB) was encoded using different presets.

What are the best HandBrake settings for DVD to MP4 conversion?

For standard DVDs, follow these tested parameters for the best balance of speed and quality:

• Container: MP4
• Video Codec: H.264 (x264)
• Audio: AAC 160 kbps stereo, or AC3 passthrough for 5.1 tracks
• Preset: "Fast 480p30" (for NTSC) or "Fast 576p25" (for PAL)
• RF (Quality): 20 (standard), 18 (high quality)
• Filters: Enable "Decomb" for interlaced sources

These settings produce efficient files that play smoothly on most devices without unnecessary upscaling.

What's the best alternative if HandBrake fails to rip my DVD?

If you continually encounter No valid source, missing titles, or incomplete rips, switch to DVDFab DVD Ripper. It is one of the best DVD ripping software to rip copy-protected DVDs to MP4. This software detects and removes copy protections such as Sony DADC, CSS, RC, APS, and others, and supports faster GPU-accelerated encoding while preserving original quality and subtitles.

Conclusion

Converting a DVD to MP4 with HandBrake provides a practical balance between file size and playback compatibility. Its open-source nature allows flexible control over quality settings and subtitle integration, yet its performance may vary on protected or damaged discs. For encrypted or unstable sources, more specialized DVD ripping software ensures faster processing and consistent results.