Many people have a large collection of old DVDs, and some are still renting movie DVDs online from Amazon or Netflix from time to time. To copy DVDs to your computer is a good way to archive the video files according to years, genres and actors. After digitizing to your PC, you can search and playback the media content easily.
Find a movie to download. Unless you find a movie that's freely available in the public domain, it's illegal to download commercial movies from the internet. This means that downloading that free Avengers movie you found on a torrent site could actually result in a fine of $750 to $30,000. Preview, buy, or rent Kids & Family movies in up to 1080p HD on iTunes. Browse a wide selection of Kids & Family movies and your downloads will be instantly accessible.
To rip a DVD to a computer is not difficult. But things will be different if, for example, you are trying to back up the latest movie DVDs, exercise DVDs, or some other commercial DVDs. Which tools can do the job well? Here we recommend four of the best ways using free DVD copy software. Please read on.
How to Copy a DVD to Your Computer with VideoProc Converter
VideoProc Converter is all-in-one video software that contains an excellent DVD copy module. This module can be considered as the iteration of WinX DVD Ripper Platinum.
Best for: rip ANY DVDs to computer Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7 or macOS
VideoProc Converter lets you rip virtually any types of DVDs, including Disney DVDs, 99-title DVDs, DRM-protected DVDs, new movies, workout DVDs, NTSC or PAL standards, as well as discs produced in different countries. You can convert a DVD to MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, MKV, MOV, ISO and so on.
Speed is one of the edges of VideoProc Converter. It only needs 5 minutes or so to rip a whole movie DVD by making use of software and hardware accelerations. (But note that the conversion speed is also related to your computer conditions.)
Now follow the instructions to copy a video from DVD to computer.
Step 1. Download VideoProc Converter on your Windows or Mac by clicking on either of the green buttons above.
Step 2. Install and open the program. Tap DVD button and go to the VideoProc Converter – DVD interface.
Step 3. Insert your source DVD in your DVD-ROM of your computer, and tap DVD Disc to load it. You can also add a DVD folder or a DVD ISO image file.
Step 4. Choose a target format listed in Popular, Video, Device, Backup or Music.
- If you want a 100% original duplicate, choose 'Backup', and you can clone the DVD to an ISO, VIDEO_TS, MKV, H264 MKV, or copy the full content of the main title, or only copy the selected video/audio/subtitle track without losing quality.
- If you need a better compatibility or smaller file size, choose a profile in Video or Device, for example, MP4 H264, MP4 HEVC, MKV H264, WEBM VP8, 4K, iPhone, iPad, HUAWEI, Samsung, PS4, Xbox.
Step 5 (optional). If necessary, you can adjust the parameters in Codec & Format, customize the Name & Tag, and set media cover on the best DVD ripper.
Step 6. Run and save the DVD video to your computer.
Disadvantages of the Method:
- It does not copy Blu-rays and CDs.
- It does not support DVD burning.
How to Rip a DVD to a Computer with HandBrake
Everyone likes freebies! HandBrake is a well-known free DVD and video transcoding software application developed in 2003.
Best for: rip homemade DVDs to a Mac for free
The interface is old, but it does not hamper the common DVD copy work. If you plan to rip your homemade DVDs, HandBrake would be the best free option. But if you have a lot of movie DVDs to backup, I recommend you to turn to other options. Besides, HandBrake is friendlier to Mac users.
Steps on how to rip a non-copy protected DVD on Mac:
Step 1. Go to the homepage of HandBrake and get the software and launch it.
Step 2. Insert a disc in your optical drive of computer, and wait until HandBrake reads the DVD and scan the titles. :
Step 3. Select a DVD title in the Title menu to copy and Add to Queue.
Step 4. Choose an option in the Presets. If you don't know which one to choose, we suggest you choose MP4 (H264) that has a good compatibility and 480p that would be enough for the output DVD video quality.
Step 5 (optional). Set Dimensions, Filters, tweak parameters like codec, FPS and Bitrate, specify audio track, customize subtitles and more.
Step 6. Click Start and let HandBrake copy your selected DVD titles to the computer.
Disadvantages of the Method:
- It does not have a direct option to make an exact copy of your original DVD. It is more like a DVD ripping (that would compress the video), not a copying tool.
- You need to install libdvdcss.dll to deal with encrypted DVDs.
- Mac computer has schemes (System Integrity Protection) to make your installing of libdvdcss harder.
- It takes time for a beginner to understand.
How to Copy DVD to Computer with VLC
VLC media player provides you with a straightforward way to copy and transfer a DVD to computer.
Best for: convert and copy a DVD in Windows 10 easily
VLC is nothing difficult, and you don't have to fiddle with codecs and video parameters, so let's head to the steps directly:
Step 1. Make sure you have downloaded and installed VLC on your computer, and also make sure that your computer has a DVD drive or external DVD drive.
Step 2. Open the software. Insert the DVD and load it.
Step 3. Tap the Media tab on the leftmost, and click Open Disc on the drop-down menu.
Step 4. On the pop-up window, check the 'No disc menus' box.
- You can choose Disc device if your computer has several DVD layers.
- You can also set the Starting Position (the number of Title), the Chapter, Audio track and Subtitle track.
Step 5. Click the drop-down menu of Play button and choose Convert.
Step 6. On the pop-up window, you can choose an output format in Profile, browse to set the Destination file, and make some other settings.
Step 7. After all your settings, hit Start. After the DVD copy completes, you can double-click the file to play back it directly with the same software.
Disadvantages of the Method:
- It is too limited to have advanced features.
- It does not offer more detailed settings for quality, format, file size, editing, etc.
- Not always smooth.
How to Save DVD to Computer with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum
Like VideoProc Converter, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is another brilliant way (although not a free way) to save even the copy-protected DVDs to computer without hassle.
Best for: deal with copy-protected DVDs on a PC
It has 350+ profiles, so it can 1:1 copy a DVD to ISO or MPEG2, and convert a DVD to AVI, WMV, MP4, as well as iPhone, iPad, Android, Xbox, PSP, YouTube formats.
Step 1. Head to the official site of WinX DVD Ripper Platinum to download and install it.
Step 2. Insert your DVD, click DVD Disc button on the interface of WinX and load the DVD content.
Step 3. Choose a main title to proceed. You can also choose more titles and tick Merge titles.
Step 4. Click the profile icon that is next to the gear icon, and select an output format in the Output Profile Category.
Step 5 (Optional): Tap the gear icon and set the video options or audio options to customize the output quality and file size. Click Edit button to adjust the audio volume, choose a specific subtitle track, crop the image to change the aspect ratio, or trim the video clip. Click Browse on the lower left to change the Destination Folder to save the output video file.
Step 6. Click the RUN button on the bottom right.
Disadvantages of the Method:
- Does not support CDs and Blu-rays as the inputs.
- Does not allow burning a video to DVD.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Do I Rip a DVD to My Computer for Free?
There are many ways you can rip a DVD for free. For example, you can use HandBrake, which is completely free; and you can also get the free giveaway versions of some commercial software like VideoProc Converter and WinX DVD Ripper from occasionally.
Can I Rip a DVD to Computer Using Windows Media Player?
No, you can't rip a DVD with Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player is a default Windows app developed by Microsoft. It can play audio CDs, rip music from CD, rip audio CDs, and burn CDs or data DVDs, but it does not allow you to rip a DVD on Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10.
Disclaimer: We do not advocate copying authorized or protected DVDs for commercial use.
A report from Gigaom suggests that Vimeo offers 4K lovers a new avenue for getting the super-crisp videos on the new 16-inch Macbook, for instance. That means registered users can download Vimeo videos in 4K on Mac based computers via its own download service. But basic members are restricted to 5 video downloads on Mac/PC per day. And most of videos on Vimeo are unavailable for download actually. Given more and more people beef about this, here we've gathered top 7 effective ways that lead you to save Vimeo videos offline on Mac successfully.
Table of Contents
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[Solution 1] Download Vimeo Videos to Mac with Desktop Vimeo Downloader for Mac
From time to time, saving Vimeo private videos on Mac brings about virus infection, quality degrading and more if an improper way is done. So a safe way able to finish the Vimeo video download is more preferred. Here MacX Video Converter Pro is highly recommended. Specially tailored for Mac users, it is the safest and best way to download embeded Vimeo videos on macOS while ensuring the maximum quality preservation and no virus transmission during installation.
What it can do for you:
- Safe and clean to download Vimeo private videos, 4K movies, trailers, music, TV Shows, etc within just a few clicks.
- Support 1000+ popular streaming sites like Vimeo, Facebook, Vevo, Dailymotion, etc.
- No.1 fast to convert Vimeo videos to MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MKV, etc with intact quality.
- Transfer footages to iPhone (12/Pro/max), iPad, Samsung Galaxy, etc. 420+ preset profiles for Apple, Android and other mainstream devices.
- Capture and save videos from Vimeo to Mac by courtesy of its screen recorder feature.
- Trim, crop, merge, add subtitles and cut the parts out of the downloaded Vimeo video and take the content you really need.
Step 1. Add Target Vimeo Video URL
Install and launch the vimeo video downloader on your Mac or PC, tap YouTube button. Search the video you want to download on Vimeo. Copy and paste its URL to address bar.
Step 2. Analyze Video
Tap Analyze for getting video info, varying from format, resolution, size and codec. Check one version (1280x720 MP4 in this example) and click OK.
Step 3. Start Vimeo Video Download on Mac
Tap Browse button to set target folder and click Download button to free download streaming video on Mac.
Note: if the vimeo video is not what you want for your device, manually tick 'Auto add to convert list' next to 'Download Now' before you go.
[Solution 2] How to Save Videos from Vimeo to Mac using Safari
Besides the desktop software that enables to capture streaming videos on Mac, there is another method that gives better-quality result - take advantages of Safari's little tool called Activity Window to save streaming videos for offline use on your Mac. Without further ado, here are the steps provided to capture web videos, say Vimeo private videos, to Mac OS X.
- Step 1: Launch the Safari window with the Vimeo video to be downloaded on your Mac.
- Step 2: Press Command+Option+A, or go to Windows > Activity (shortcut: alt+apple+a) in Safari
- Step 3: Look through the activity for 'Video Name'. If you'd like to download the true video file, just choose the largest file size.
- Step 4: Here we go, double click to download the video from Vimeo etc to Mac.
Please note that the file saved from Safari is usually in FLV that is incompatible with Mac's QuickTime player. And you'll need a video converter for Mac that helps to convert Vimeo FLV video to MP4, MOV or M4V format readable on your Mac computer.
[Solution 3] How to Download Vimeo Videos on Mac using Firefox
Firefox browser is equipped with many useful add-ons. One popular Firefox extension is the free DownloadHelper that works well work with many popular video streaming sites, including Vimeo, Facebook, etc. Follow the detailed tutorial to save Vimeo embeded videos on Mac.
Step 1: Install the extension and then the DownloadHelper icon appears at the bottom of the browser.
Step 2: Open the Vimeo in Firefox and find the Vimeo video you'd like to download.
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Step 3: start playing the video and click on the icon after which you can see one or more listings for the video in Flash format or others in MPEG4 format.
Step 4: Choose one of the MPEG4 and it downloads to your Mac.
[Solution 4] How to Grab Vimeo Videos on Mac using Google Chrome
Google Chrome offers the option to get vimeo videos offline on Mac. Follow the instructions below to get the Vimeo download process on your Mac using Chrome.
Step 1: Activate 'Enable resource tracking' in Google Chrome.
Step 2: Sort the resources based on size.
Step 3: Go to the Vimeo with the video you like.
Step 4: Pick the highest quality video available.
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Step 5: Copy the URL of the video with the largest size.
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Step 6: 'Paste and Go' to the copied URL. Then the Chrome will download the video in FLV automatically. If the video is saved in MP4, just right-click the MP4 video to 'Save Video As…'
Step 7: Check whether the downloaded video is the one you need.
[Solution 5] Download Videos from Vimeo to Mac Online
Perhaps the fastest and easiest way to grab any video from Web like Vimeo, Facebook, etc is to make use of an online video downloader service to handle the task. There are many smiliar services available for your needs, like SaveVideo.me, Video Grabber, Downloadvimeo.net, Clipconverter.cc, Videoripper.me, and so on. All you need to do is to go the Vimeo video address, place the URL and hit the download button. Some online Vimeo video downloaders are even allow you to save Vimeo video to MP4, AVI, MOV and 3GP format.
Please bear in mind, the web services are great for capturing web videos. But you may know that such websites may not function properly. Or sometimes, they may be incorporated with adware, spyware or malware or temporarily unavailable. So you'll need an anti-virus program or a desktop software to copy with the Vimeo video download on macOS.
[Solution 6] Save Videos from Vimeo to Mac using Screen Recorder
There is another way that is generally thought as a brute force - using a screen recorder to grab Vimeo videos on Mac in real time. Here we take the well-received MacX Video Converter Pro's built-in screen recorder for Mac feature as an example.
Step 1: Download the Mac screen recorder, install and run it. Open the video on Vimeo you'd like to record and then press the 'Screen Recorder' button on the main interface. Carrot virtual turntables.
Step 2: Customize the screen recording area by choosing 'Keep Full Screen' or 'Crop Region'. Select the quality of Vimeo video to be recorded, tweak the video frame rate, add sound effect to your video, and alike.
Step : Click 'Browse' button in output setting area and select a destination folder to save your recorded Vimeo video.
Step 4: Hit 'Start Record' button, the program will start to record screen on Mac.
[Solution 7] Download Vimeo Videos on Mac Using its Download Button
If you are a Vimeo buff, you will notice that some videos on Vimeo come with a download button at the bottom of the video. Here we provide the 3specific steps to save Vimeo embeded videos on Mac without any third-party helper.
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Step 1: Activate 'Enable resource tracking' in Google Chrome.
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Step 2: Search for the video on Vimeo. Find the Download button, if available, in the tool bar. Hit it and choose the video format, resolution and size as you wish. The downloaded Vimeo video format depends on the resource. And you can download the video in MOV, FLV or MP4.
Step 3: Start downloading the video. Right click the video and choose the 'download linked file', then it will be downloaded in the background.
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Note: Viewers without a Vimeo account cannot download the source files. For a basic user, you can download 5 Vimeo private videos per 24 hours. For Vimeo Plus and Pro members, they can store the original untranscoded source files on Vimeo and make their original file downloadable by others, too.