QuickTime Player can't play DVD discs or VIDEO_TS folders directly because it doesn't support DVD menus or commercial DVD protection. To watch a DVD in QuickTime on your Mac, you'll first need to convert it to MOV or MP4.
Fortunately, converting a DVD to QuickTime MOV is easier than it sounds. With the right DVD ripper, you can digitize both homemade and most copy-protected DVDs into MOV files that play smoothly in QuickTime Player without requiring the original disc. This guide explains why QuickTime can't open DVDs, compares the best free solutions, and walks you through how to rip DVDs to QuickTime MOV on Mac step by step.
Our Recommended DVD to MOV Converter for Mac
Free download the free DVD ripper MacX DVD Ripper Free [FREE & safe]. It can easily convert any DVD to MOV:
Rip any protected DVDs to MOV without using any extra decryption library. With a built-in DVD decrypter and title-check mechanism, it can remove region codes, CSS, RCE, APS, UOPs, Sony ARccOS, Disney-X Project, etc. Easily rip 99-title DVDs, oversized 75GB DVDs, workout DVDs, Lionsgate DVDs, damaged/unplayable DVDs, bad sector DVDs, and more. Scan and analyze the right DVD title instantly!
Rip DVDs to QuickTime formats. It will convert DVDs to QuickTime MOV, MP4, M4V, AVI, HEVC, as well as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, TVs, webs, and 350+ profiles.
High Quality. It can convert DVD to MOV QuickTime without losing quality thanks to its advanced High Quality Engine.
5X faster speed. With support for the GPU acceleration technologies from Intel, Nvidia, and AMD, it's able to rip a DVD to QuickTime in 5 minutes.
How to Free Rip DVDs to QuickTime MOV on MacBook/iMac
Step 1. Load the DVD
Download the free DVD to QuickTime converter for Mac and install it. Insert the DVD into the Mac's disc drive or an external DVD drive. Open the DVD to MOV converter and click "DVD Disc" on the top menu bar. Select the DVD drive to load the DVD information. You can click "Folder" or "ISO" to import DVD content from DVD folder/ISO image on your Mac computer.
Some freeware DVD to QuickTime rippers claim to have good compatibility with protected DVDs, but in reality, they often provide incomplete DVD rips or rips that are out of sync with the audio. Thankfully, MacX DVD Ripper Free can accurately detect the correct title without the need for any additional applications or analysis errors.
Step 2. Choose an output format for QuickTime
After the program loads the correct title of the DVD, it will bring up an output format window. Select an output format for QuickTime: scroll down the list on the left and find Mac General Video > choose "MP4 MPEG-4" or "MOV MPEG-4" from the list on the right.
Step 3. Select Audio/Subtitle Tracks
Back on the home screen, you can click on the selected DVD title to select a subtitle or audio track you would like to play on QuickTime. For example, you can change the default "Disabled Subtitle" to Track1 English, Track2 French or forced subtitle... If your desired subtitle track is not included in the DVD disc, go to Google to download the subtitle track and click the Edit button on the selected title to add external .srt subtitles and apply other editing.
Step 4. Start to Convert DVD to MOV
Click the "Browse" button and choose the location to save the ripped DVD MOV file on your Mac. Then click "RUN" and this free DVD converter software's conversion engine will go into action; the conversion will be finished within minutes. Then you can play the converted MOV DVD video in QuickTime Player.
Note: If any error occurs during the rip, enable "Backup Mode" on the main interface. It's able to convert any DVD with strict protections to QuickTime with no problems.
MacXDVD software calls for copying or ripping DVD under the concept of Fair Use and does not encourage any illegal reproduction or distribution of copyrighted content. Please abide by the local DVD copyright law before doing it.
Convert DVDs to QuickTime MOV on Mac Using VLC
VLC is a free and open-source media player that can also convert DVDs to QuickTime-compatible MOV or MP4 files. It's a practical choice for homemade or unprotected DVDs. However, it isn't designed as a dedicated DVD ripper, so encrypted DVDs may require manual title selection or additional decryption support.
If your DVD isn't protected, VLC can handle the conversion at no cost. For commercial DVDs protected by CSS, Disney X-Project, Sony ARccOS, or playlist obfuscation (such as 99-title DVDs), VLC may fail to detect the correct movie title automatically, making the ripping process less reliable.
How to Rip DVDs to QuickTime MOV on Mac with VLC
- Insert the DVD into your Mac and open VLC.
- Play the DVD first and note the correct movie title number. This step helps when VLC cannot automatically identify the main title, especially on DVDs with multiple fake playlists.
- Choose Media > Convert/Save.
- Open the Disc tab, select your DVD drive, and enter the title number you noted earlier.
- Click Convert/Save again and choose MOV or MP4 as the output format.
- Select an output folder, then click Start to begin converting the DVD.
VLC is an excellent free option for basic DVD conversion, but its success largely depends on the DVD's protection scheme. If you're ripping commercial DVDs regularly, a dedicated DVD ripper with automatic title detection is generally faster and more reliable.
Always make sure your DVD ripping activities comply with the copyright laws applicable in your country or region.
MacX DVD Ripper Free vs. VLC: Which Is Better for DVD to MOV on Mac?
Both MacX DVD Ripper Free and VLC can convert DVDs to MOV on macOS, but they work quite differently. If you're ripping commercial DVDs or simply want the easiest solution, the differences below can help you choose the right tool.
| Feature | MacX DVD Ripper Free | VLC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| QuickTime MOV Output | ✔ Native MOV profile | ✔ Supported |
| Protected DVDs | ✔ CSS, Region Code, UOPs, Sony ARccOS, Disney DVDs | Limited support |
| 99-title DVDs | ✔ Automatically detects the correct title | Manual title selection required |
| DVD Analysis | Automatic | Manual |
| Additional Libraries | Not required | May require extra decryption support |
| Output Formats | MOV, MP4, HEVC, AVI, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, 350+ profiles | MOV, MP4 and basic presets |
| GPU Acceleration | ✔ Intel, NVIDIA & AMD | Limited |
| Conversion Speed | Fast hardware-accelerated ripping | CPU-dependent |
| Ease of Use | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Best For | Commercial DVDs, beginners, frequent DVD backups | Homemade or unprotected DVDs |
Conclusion
Ripping a DVD to QuickTime MOV format is a way to digitize and preserve the contents of a DVD in a more versatile and accessible format. This process allows you to play the DVD QuickTime media player as well as on various devices and platforms that support QuickTime MOV files. VLC is a handy tool to convert a DVD to MOV, but it doesn't support protected DVDs natively. MacX DVD Ripper Free Edition is more professional and much faster to rip an encrypted DVD to QuickTime MOV on Mac.
FAQs about Ripping DVDs to QuickTime MOV on Mac
1. Can QuickTime Player play DVDs directly?
No. QuickTime Player doesn't support DVD discs or VIDEO_TS folders. To watch a DVD in QuickTime, you'll need to convert it to a compatible format such as MOV or MP4 first.
2. Can HandBrake rip DVDs to QuickTime MOV on Mac?
No. HandBrake doesn't support the MOV container format. It can only export videos as MP4, MKV, or WebM. If your goal is to play DVDs in QuickTime, choose MP4 in HandBrake or use a DVD ripper that supports MOV output directly.
3. Can VLC rip copy-protected DVDs to MOV?
Only in limited cases. VLC can convert some DVDs, but it doesn't include a built-in DVD decryption engine. It may struggle with CSS-encrypted discs, Disney 99-title DVDs, Sony ARccOS, and other modern copy protections. For commercial DVDs, a dedicated DVD ripper is generally more reliable.
4. Should I choose MOV or MP4 for QuickTime?
Both formats work well with QuickTime Player. MOV is a better choice if you plan to edit the video in Final Cut Pro or iMovie, while MP4 offers wider compatibility across Windows PCs, Android devices, TVs, and media servers.
5. Will ripping a DVD reduce video quality?
Not necessarily. Since DVDs are standard-definition discs, a good DVD ripper can preserve the original video quality when using appropriate output settings. Higher compression may reduce file size but can also slightly lower image quality.
6. How do I burn a MOV file to a DVD on Mac?
You can use Finder to burn a MOV file onto a blank DVD as a data disc:
- Insert a blank DVD into your Mac's optical drive.
- Open Finder and drag the MOV file onto the blank DVD.
- Click Burn, enter a disc name, choose a burning speed, and start the process.
Note: Finder creates a data DVD for file storage. If you want a DVD that plays in a standalone DVD player, you'll need DVD authoring software.
Bella has been working with DVD digitization for over 12 years. She writes articles about everything related to DVD, from disc drive, DVD copyright protection, physical structure, burning and backup tips. The unceasing passion of DVD movies helps her build a rich DVD library and ensure a practical solution to address almost all possible DVD issues. Bella is also a crazy fan for Apple products.
