I have been using Handbrake for years to make backup copies of my DVDs. The kids have destroyed my DVD collection so copying them to my media center is a must. Then I pack the original DVDs away. Handbreak has done well over the years to make DVD backups. Handbrake supports multiple formats but I create a single MKV file with some custom compression that has no noticeable jaggies when viewing even the most action packed movie. The big advantage to a compressed MKV is a much smaller file size for a full DVD and a single file. A 4-6GB movie can pre compress to 1-3GB pretty easy. The MKV file format is great because it keeps the full 5.1 surround from the movies as well. The only disadvantage is the time it takes to copy, I mean ‘back up’, my movies. Betwen 2.5 to 3 hours for a compressed MKV on my Mac Mini.
Before Handbrake I used Mac the Ripper to make a straight copy of a DVD. But the guy that created Mac the Ripper got a lot of bad press for wanting to charge for the software or something like that. Then Mac the Ripper became really hard to find. I stopped using it. Mac the Ripper just removed the copy protection and made a copy of the DVD on your hard drive. So you get all the folders that come with a DVD and no compression.
Recently I found out about MakeMKV. MakeMKV creates a MKV file for your DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Yes, if you have a Blu-ray drive you can back them up. The app is fantastic and easy to use. It is now my de facto DVD backup application. It is free like Handbrake but it has several advantages. One advantage over Handbreak is that MakeMKV makes a MKV file with no compression at all. It only takes about 45 minutes to make a complete backup. After compressing my DVDs for years I am going back to a straight copy but with the advantage of having the entire DVD or Blu-ray in a single file using the MKV format. The hardest thing to get right in Handbrake is your compression settings. Since MakeMKV doesn’t have any you don’t need to worry about that. Mac doesn’t have a cheap Blu-ray player/reader but eventually they will and MakeMKV will. Back up Blu-rays when I make the jump from DVD to Blu-ray will be great. Until then I will have to keep the Blu-ray out of the kids hands.
The only disadvantage to MakeMKV is much larger file sizes since there is no compression. But with disc space so cheap picking up a 1TB drive for $100 these days is not a problem.
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What are you using to playback the MKV files on your TV?
As a side note, certain characters like & or : are causing errors when I post, the post still goes through. Just an FYI.
I am getting the same error. I think it has to do with my spam system. I will look at it tonight.
I have my Mac Mini going HDMI out to my TV. So anything I play on the computer get to the TV. Plex is a Mac only media center that is better than anything out there. All my backed up movies site on a couple hard drives and play via Plex.
I will have to get a video of the system in action.