How to Convert DVD to H.265/HEVC: 3 Best & Free Methods

As the successor of H.264, HEVC (aka, H.265) offers superior compression efficiency, requiring up to 50% less bitrate than H.264 for the same visual quality, which saves bandwidth and storage space. And with the increasingly broadened compatibility of HEVC, more and more people prefer to converting DVD to HEVC to backup their movie collection.

There are three big reasons why converting DVD to HEVC/H.265 might be a good idea. First, HEVC can deliver the same quality with half the size, or higher quality in identical size compared to its predecessor, H.264. Secondly, H.265 has gained widespread adoption in various applications, so you can watch your movies on a wide range of modern devices and platforms, not just on computer and TVS. Thirdly, it can help you protect your favorite movies from getting scratched or damaged.

In this article, we will show you how to convert DVD to H.265/HEVC with 3 popular ways, including 2 free options HandBrake and VLC, which are frequently asked in the communities.

Top 3 Ways to Convert DVD to HEVC/H.265 on Windows/Mac/Linux

#1. DumboFab DVD Ripper - Best Overall to Convert Protected DVD to HEVC/H.265

DumboFab DVD Ripper is a clean, safe and easy-to-use DVD ripping tool. It stands out for digitizing nearly any DVD regardless of encryption or release date. It handles all the DVDs that you may have, whether it is a new release, 99-title, scratched, regional, Japanese, or workout DVD. It supports hardware acceleration to speed up ripping and transcoding. Besides converting DVD to HEVC, you can also convert DVD to H.264, MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, ISO, MPG, 3GP, and 200+ profiles for mobile, Android, TVs, webs, etc.

• Who it's for: DumboFab DVD Ripper is a ideal for users with extensive DVD collections who want a fast and cost-effective solution to convert copy-protected DVDs to H.265 and other digital formats on Windows or Mac. It offers both one year license and lifetime license. During the eligible period, users can convert as many DVDs as they like without any additional costs.

[Tutorial] How to convert DVD to HEVC/H.265 with DumboFab DVD Ripper?

Step 1. Add the source DVD disc/folder

Open the DVD ripper and click Load DVD button to load source disc. It also supports DVD Folder and ISO Image. The DVD ripper supports advanced encryptions like navigation algorithm used in multiple titles. It will easily detect the correct title hiden in DVDs from Disney, Sony, Paramount, etc.

Step 2: Convert DVD to HEVC/H.265 in the Best Quality

Click Format bar and find Common Video and then select H.265 Video(*.mp4).

The default setting works well. Of course, if you want to customize video and audio encoding settings, just click the Settings button to customize these settings. Below are some tips on recommended settings:

• 1. You're not suggested to adjust frame rate, if not necessary.
• 2. Lower the resolution. Typical DVD videos are 720×480 (NTSC) and 720×540 (PAL). Adjust the resolution to 640×480 won't make any quality difference.
• 3. Lower the bitrate to a lower level. For example, adjusting the original 2500 to bitrates of around 1800-2000 is acceptable without noticeable pixellation.

Please note: Adjusting these variables have some effect on the re-encoded video quality. Remember the file size and video quality is based more on bitrate than resolution which means bitrate higher results in big file size, and lower visible quality loss.

Step 3: Begin DVD to HEVC Conversion

Click the Browse button to select a destination folder in the dialog box that opens, and click OK. Then click the big Convert button to start converting.

#2. HandBrake - Free & Highly Customizable to Rip CSS/Regional DVDs to H.265 (libdvdcss)

HandBrake can used as a free DVD to H.265 converter on Windows, Mac and Linux. While it can't rip all DVDs anymore (since version 0.9.3), you can still use a free library called VLC libdvdcss to rip some protected discs to H.265 MP4 and MKV. By loading the libdvdcss library in the application folder, Handbrake will dynamically read CSS and region-locked DVDs. Additionally, it provides a range of customization options for video and audio output, making it ideal for users seeking greater control over their conversion process.

• Who it's for: HandBrake is suitable for those with limited budgets for DVD to H.265 conversion. It is a good choice for digitizing non-protected DVDs. With libdvdcss installed, you can rip some protected DVDs with HandBrake. But it can only cope with CSS-encrypted DVDs only. To rip DVDs with other DVD copy protections, you need a more powerful alternative like DumboFab DVD Ripper.

[Tutorial] How to convert DVD to H.265 free with HandBrake?

Important Notes:

Handbrake can only rip DVDs that aren't protected. If your DVD, ISO image, or DVD folder is encrypted, you can try downloading a free library called " libdvdcss". This helps Handbrake access DVDs with CSS or region code, but make sure you find the version that works with your Windows version. Once you download libdvdcss, copy the .dll file and paste it into your Handbrake folder.

Or, if you try to rip a protected DVD to MP4 without libdvdcss, you might see error messages like "copy-protected sources are not supported" or "no valid source or titles found."

Step 1. Download the latest Handbrake 1.10.2 for the best DVD to HEVC conversion performance. Note that to use the latest Handbrake on Windows 10/11, you need to have Microsoft .NET Desktop runtime 6 or later installed. Then install and open Handbrake on your PC or Mac.

Step 2. Insert the DVD you want to convert to MP4 into the optical drive.

Step 3. Click Open Source to load the DVD movie. Handbrake will take some time to scan the title. The main title will be selected for homemade DVDs by default. For protected DVDs, the libdvdcss will work in the background to help Handbrake find the correct title (you can find the title via VLC and manually select the right title from the Title drop-down box.)

Step 4. Choose the format MP4 or MKV from the drop-down list in the Summary. Next, click on the Video tab and select H.265 as the output codec.

Step 5. Click the Browse button at the lower part and select a destination folder to save the resulting MP4 file. You can also use an external drive to store your DVD movie on your HDD or SDD, a USB drive, a NAS, or in the cloud.

Step 6. Then click Start Encode on the above toolbar to begin to free convert DVD to H.265 on Windows or Mac. You can watch the conversion process. After the ripping, you can add the H.265 movie to your library in a movie library program like Plex.

#3. VLC - Convert a Couple of Homemade Family DVD to HEVC

While VLC may not be a dedicated DVD converter, it offers a convenient solution for users who already have the software installed. By utilizing VLC, you can avoid the need for additional programs and extra expenses.

With VLC, you can convert your DVDs into H.265, H.264, MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI and WMV. Additionally, it provides options to adjust video and audio parameters such as bitrate and resolution. Furthermore, VLC can even handle some encrypted discs, adding to its versatility.

• Who it's for: VLC is suitable for users who wish to rip DVDs and are comfortable with a potentially slower conversion speed. It's worth noting that VLC's conversion process may take as long as the duration of the movie itself, as VLC technically "streams" the video to a file on your hard drive. Overall, VLC isn't perfect for ripping. It can only rip CSS-protected and regional DVDs, so it won't work for more complexly protected discs. Also, you don't have much control over the conversion process, such as adjusting resolution, bitrate, frame rate, deinterlacing, volume, and other settings.

[Tutorial] How to convert DVD to H.265 freely with VLC?

Step 1. Free download and run the VLC Media Player, click the "Media > Open Disc" to select the DVD movies you want to rip. Or you can press the shortcut Ctrl +D to load your DVD.

Step 2. In the Open Media window, choose the Disc tab. Make sure DVD is selected under DVD Selection and hit "Browse" to choose the right disc device. You can choose the DVD title and chapter to get the exact part that you want to rip.

Step 3. When you have got the right video, go to Media > Convert/Save.

Step 4. Under Settings > Profile, you can choose Video-H.265+MP3 (MP4) as output format. You can edit the Profile settings by clicking the edit button beside the profile options. Under Destination, you can set the name and output location for the ripped videos. Then, click Start.

Step 5. While the DVD is being ripped you will see a progress count in the main UI. The amount of time it takes will depend on the file format and size of the DVD but it will take a while no matter what.

Tip: The ripping process could produce a dozen or more individual files, so it's often best to create a new folder on your hard drive for each DVD.

Step 6. After ripping DVD to H.265 MP4 with VLC, you can get output files and can play them on your portable devices as you want. That's it. Enjoy!

Quick Comparison of the Best and Free DVD to HEVC Converters

Features	DumboFab DVD Ripper	HandBrake	VLC
Applicable Platform	Window, Mac	Windows, Mac, Linux	Window, Mac
User Interface	Intuitive and clean	Complicated for beginners	Not intuitive enough
Supported DVDs	All kinds of DVDs including restriction and protection	Only support some protected DVD discs	cannot rip protected DVD discs
Available output formats	Up to 500+ video/audio formats and device profiles	MP4, MKV	About 20 video and audio formats
Editing function	Trim or crop or add watermark, etc.	No	extremely limited editing capabilities
3D effect adding	Yes	No	No
Internal Player	Yes	No	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it legal about converting DVD to HEVC?

It depends on your jurisdiction and the disc's copyright status. In many regions, making a personal, non-commercial backup of DVDs you own may be permitted or tolerated, while circumventing DRM copy-protection or sharing the copy can be unlawful. For commercial or public use, ripping is generally prohibited.

2. Can I convert copy-protected DVDs to H.265?

It depends on the DVD to HEVC converter software you are using. Some programs, such as DumboFab DVD Ripper, can bypass copy protection and digitize protected DVDs, while others may not be able to. It is important to check the software's capabilities before attempting to turn a copy-protected DVD into a digital H.265 file.

3. Why does DVD to HEVC converter fail with free tools?

Free tools repeatedly fail to convert several DVDs, especially if they are encrypted. For example, during my attempts with VLC, converting three different DVDs ended in endless loops without completing.

These failures stem from lack of support for copy protections and limited error handling in free software. To fix this, try using more specialized DVD ripping programs. Also, clean discs before conversion.

4. H.264 or H.265? What should you choose for digitizing DVDs?

For ripping DVDs, use H.265 (HEVC) if your priority is smaller file sizes and future-proofing for HD/4K, as it offers better compression; but choose H.264 (AVC) for maximum compatibility and faster encoding, as it's less demanding and plays on virtually everything, making it ideal for standard DVD content. H.264 is often the practical, simpler choice for DVD resolution, while H.265 shines for higher resolutions.

Conclusion

Nowadays, ripping your DVDs to H.265 encoded MP4 offers make it possible to digitize your collection and enjoy your favorite movies and shows on modern devices. As mentioned above, tools like DumboFab DVD Ripper, VLC Media Player, and HandBrake each bring unique strengths to the table. No matter you care about speed, simplicity, or customization, there's a solution tailored to your needs.

But if you're looking for a reliable, flexible tool that works with nearly any disc—including copy-protected ones—DumboFab DVD Ripper offers a strong balance of usability, format support, and speed. It's especially useful for those with a large collection to convert.