Like so many users, I have a DVD collection (ripping using MakeMKV) and a growing Blu-Ray Collection. MakeMKV has served me well in my DVD ripping - however, Blu-Ray discs struggle. I’ve searched the discussion boards for suggestions, however - most of the posts that give definitive suggestions are years old. I’ve gone to the net to search - but end up with what appears to be the same core software, with a different skin interface (Pavtube, Wondershare Media Converter, Brorsoft Blu-ray converter) - slickly marketed web pages, but all out of China. Two of the converters take 4 hours plus, to convert a 2 hour movie. Wondershare, (which claims to be 30x faster) wouldn’t even load the Blu-ray disc.
I would really appreciate some advice and experiences regarding software suggestions. I keep reading about MakeMKV working as a stand alone - or a MakeMKV + Handbrake as a possibility - however, my experience hasn’t been all that wonderful in the Blu-ray/MakeMKV arena. Certainly, there must be some good programs that you folks have found. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
The time for an encode takes as long as it takes. It is totally dependent on the processing power of the box doing the work. There are no magic shortcuts. There are ways to shorten the processing time - in turn making the encode junk. Do it right once. Enjoy the end product.
All I’ve ever needed for BluRays was MakeMKV - to get the base tracks out and Handbrake - to deal with the base tracks, with Xmedia Recode thrown in for audio normalization and container swapping (simultaneously) and MKVToolNix for the occasional substripping, metastripping, subextracting, embedded poster removals, joining, etc.
DVD rips go directly to Handbrake. Sometimes MakeMKV leaves out important bits for anamorphic settings - I find it’s just safer to Handbrake right from the disc and cuts a step out of the process.
The guide will take you up to the point where your eyeballs are required for personal adjustments. Apart from that flexible area the guide is bulletproof.
Just makemkv and handbrake is all I have ever used for encodes. Now that I retain full size rips and do not encode, for quality sake, makemkv, mkvtools, mkvtoolnix, and bdsup2sub is all I require. Takes about 45 min from load of the disc to watching in Plex.
Encoding is heavily resource dependent, so it may take a while. I used to fire one off then go to bed and before I went to work and as soon as I got home. 3-a-day got them done pretty quick.
