Easiest way to rip and/or burn DVDs on my new Windows 8.1 laptop
December 7, 2014 9:09 AM Subscribe
I just received my first Win8.1 computer, and I am having some trouble adapting to the new interface. The computer I got has a DVD read-write drive, but I bought the "Signature Edition" of this laptop (Acer E5) from the Microsoft store and that means it doesn't come with the usual pile of bloatware. This is apparently both a good and a bad thing...
because it also means it doesn't seem to come with any software (that I can find) to operate that DVD drive! I tried VLC but I can't seem to make it look at the DVD drive, it only wants to play videos that are on the hard drive. Could someone please suggest the best app or program, preferably free or <$5, that I could use this on new laptop to put copies of my own DVDs into the cloud to watch on my Ipad? Many thanks in advance! PS, the DVDs I have are not blu-ray.
because it also means it doesn't seem to come with any software (that I can find) to operate that DVD drive! I tried VLC but I can't seem to make it look at the DVD drive, it only wants to play videos that are on the hard drive. Could someone please suggest the best app or program, preferably free or <$5, that I could use this on new laptop to put copies of my own DVDs into the cloud to watch on my Ipad? Many thanks in advance! PS, the DVDs I have are not blu-ray.
I recommend Handbrake, which is free/open source. However, Handbrake, VLC, or any open source software alone will not decode DVDs, as you have seen. There is an interesting legal issue with open source DVD programs which requires the installation of libdvdcss prior to reading/viewing DVDs.
There is Lifehacker tutorial on how to do this ripping.
posted by saeculorum at 9:35 AM on December 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
There is Lifehacker tutorial on how to do this ripping.
posted by saeculorum at 9:35 AM on December 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by WizKid at 9:34 AM on December 7, 2014