Convert DVDs & Blu‑Rays to MKV with MakeMKV – Easy Guide

Have you ever packed up your classic movie collection, only to find that your old disc drive is dead or that you don’t have a physical disc at all? Converting your DVDs and Blu‑Rays into MKV files with MakeMKV is the simplest way to keep your favorite films in a modern, versatile format that plays on almost any device. In this tutorial you’ll learn each step from downloading the software to creating a tidy library of MKV files, along with handy tips for optimizing your ripping workflow.

What you’ll need:

• A computer with a DVD or Blu‑Ray drive (or a USB drive connected to a consumer‑level optical drive)
• No special coding knowledge – MakeMKV is a point‑and‑click tool
• An internet connection to download the latest installer (the software is free for a trial period)
• (Optional) HandBrake or another transcoder if you want to compress the MKV file later

Let’s dive into the step‑by‑step instructions that will have you back in your movie room in minutes.

1. Downloading and Installing MakeMKV

First, head over to the official MakeMKV website and click the download button for your operating system. The project offers installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Keep in mind that the Windows installer is the most commonly used version for home users.

After you’ve downloaded the installer, double‑click it and complete the wizard. On Windows, you’ll see a standard “Next”, “Install”, “Finish” flow. On macOS, simply drag the MakeMKV icon into your Applications folder, and on Linux you’ll either run the .deb package or use the generic binary. Once the installation is finished, launch the application.

2. The MakeMKV Main Interface

When MakeMKV opens for the first time, you’ll see the familiar dark theme and a simple interface that centres around the current media file.

"When you insert a disk into the disk drive, Open MakeMKV, then you should see the disk show up in the program, click that to 'Make an MKV file'…" – DataHoarder Reddit

At the top left you have the navigation drop‑down which allows you to choose

• the disc itself (DVD or Blu‑Ray)
• an ISO file you’ve already extracted
• a folder of .xvid / .vob files

Your choice depends on whether you’re ripping a physical disc or converting an existing file.

3. Opening a Physical Disc or ISO

Insert your DVD or Blu‑Ray into your computer’s optical drive. The disc will appear automatically in MakeMKV’s drop‑down menu. If you’re working with an ISO image, browse to the file location and select it. The loading time usually takes a few seconds for a DVD and a minute or more for a Blu‑Ray, but the application will show you a progress bar.

Once the content finishes loading, you’ll see a big Open Backup button. This pulls up the makeMKV backup interface, where the actual file‑creation happens.

4. Creating MKV Files – One Video, One Subtitle, One Audio

MakeMKV works by creating the best possible copy of the media without re-encoding. That means the video, audio, and subtitle streams are copied as-is into the MKV container.

The backup interface shows a list of all programs (i.e., movies or episodes) on the disc. Usually a standard movie disc will have a single program entry labelled “Movie” or the title of the film.

"Open the backup (or the disc directly) in MakeMKV and create .mkv files of the contents. You can create one .mkv of the movie and additional .mkv files for any …" – MakeMKV forum guide

Simply check (or uncheck) the boxes for the streams you’d like to include:

• Video – usually there is only one
• Audio – you can choose a single track or keep all language options
• Subtitles – pick your preferred language or keep all
• Optional bitmap – sometimes there are extra images for menus that you might want to skip

Because MKV files preserve all the data, you can have separate MKV files for each audio track after the conversion.

Press the ‘Make an MKV file’ button. MakeMKV will guide you to a save location, and then start the conversion. The progress bar you see here is the actual copying process; it’s faster than encoding and usually finishes in a few minutes.

5. Organizing Your MKV Library

After the process finishes, you’ll have an MKV file that’s named after the film. You can optionally rename the file to whatever you enjoy: Movie Title (Year).mkv.

Recommended folder structure for a local media server:

• /media/movies/
  • Movie Title (Year)/
    • Movie Title (Year).mkv
    • Movie Title (Year)_en.srt (if you extracted external subtitles)

This tidy layout means media server software like Plex or Emby can automatically tag and catalogue your collection accurately.

6. Optional: Transcoding with HandBrake

If you prefer a smaller filesize or better compatibility with mobile devices, you can use HandBrake to transcode the MKV. HandBrake is a free, open‑source encoder that can compress the video while keeping quality high.

Typical steps:

1. Open the MKV in HandBrake and choose a preset – “Fast 1080p30” is a common default.
2. Under the Video tab, keep the H.264 (x264) codec to avoid re‑encoders if you simply want to copy the video. If you want to reduce size, choose the H.265 (x265) codec for more efficient compression.
3. Press Start Encode and preview the outcome. HandBrake will output a new MKV that can be swapped in place of the original.

This two‑step workflow (MakeMKV + HandBrake) gives you the best combination of speed, quality, and file size.

7. Advanced Workflow: Ripping in a Server Environment

If you run a home media server, you may want to automate the process. One community‑approved method is to set up a scheduled task that watches a USB backup drive for new discs, then uses MakeMKV to create MKVs and moves them to the media library.

See HD & 4K Blu‑ray to MKV Disc Ripping Process for an in‑depth look at optimisation tricks, such as:

• Using --all-subtitles flag in MakeMKV’s command‑line interface to pull every subtitle track.
• Setting up automatic cleaning of temporary Disc files to free up space.
• Integrating with media server APIs to trigger a library refresh once conversion finishes.

These steps are a bit advanced but save a lot of manual labor over time.

8. Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Here are a few quick fixes for common hiccups.

• Disc not recognized? Make sure the drive is functioning; try a different disc to rule out physical damage. Some low‑latency drives can misread Blu‑ray images.
• Missing audio tracks? In the backup interface, ensure the corresponding audio check boxes are ticked. Deselecting all audio streams will produce a video‑only MKV.
• Large MKV file size? That’s normal, as MakeMKV does not encode the video. Use HandBrake to compress if needed.

9. Comparing MakeMKV and HandBrake

Many new users wonder why you’d use two programs. MakeMKV is for ripping because it bypasses DRM and copies everything accurately. HandBrake is for compressing – you can fine‑tune bitrate, target device compatibility, and reduce storage costs. A typical rotating player appreciates the high‑quality MKV from MakeMKV; a mobile user wants the smaller file produced by HandBrake.

10. Takeaway

Now you know how to:

1. Download and install MakeMKV.
2. Open your DVD or Blu‑Ray.
3. Create a clean MKV for each movie or program.
4. Optionally transcode for smaller size.
5. Organise your library to keep things accessible.

Armed with these skills, you’ll preserve precious film memories for years to come, making them endlessly shareable across all devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best format for home media libraries?

MKV is the most flexible container, supporting multiple audio, subtitle and video tracks. It pairs well with players like VLC, Kodi, Plex, and Emby. Many users also compress MKV with HandBrake to fit mobile devices.

Is MakeMKV free?

Yes. MakeMKV offers a free trial that lasts until the end of the current DVD’s trial period. After the trial, it remains free. Is there a paid version? No, it’s free forever.

Can I convert to AV1 or other modern codecs?

MakeMKV does not encode; it only copies the original stream. If your disc uses legacy codecs, you’ll need a transcoder like HandBrake or FFmpeg to remap to AV1, H.264, or H.265.

Will MakeMKV work on Linux?

Absolutely – download the .deb file for Debian-based distros or the generic binary for others. Use the command line makemkv or the GUI to rip directly.

How do I keep the subtitle language separate?

During the backup step, tick only the subtitles you want. If you want a separate file, export in .srt format using the MKV muxer, or let the transcoder pull them out.

Happy ripping! MakeMKV has been creating reliable copies since 2002, and with this guide you can throw your old discs into a modern file‑based archive in minutes.