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Things You Should Know about HandBrake Libdvdcss [2024]

author Mabel Wolfe Mar 29, 2024 Category Rip DVD

You might see people use HandBrake to rip copy-protected DVDs but you can't rip them successfully with your HandBrake software. Why? Well, this is because you haven't installed libdvdcss for HandBrake. So, what is libdvdcss? How to use libdvdcss with handbrake on Windows and Mac? This post will give you the answers. If you want to rip copy-protected DVDs without installing libdvdcss, we will also help you do that.

What Is HandBrake Libdvdcss

Guide List

Part 1. What Is HandBrake Libdvdcss

HandBrake Libdvdcss – Background Information

Created by VideoLAN, libdvdcss is a simple library that allows some media software like HandBrake to access DVDs. Libdvdcss is the integration of library, DVD, and Content Scrambling System (CSS) which is applied on many commercial DVDs to encrypt them. So, you can use libdvdcss to find the key to decrypt the commercial DVDs.

Why Do I Need HandBrake Libdvdcss

Without libdvdcss, you can only play and rip non-encrypted discs. Therefore, if you want to rip some commercial or copy-protected DVDs with HandBrake, libdvdcss is an essential tool for you. It will help HandBrake find the way to DVD decryption. After accessing the commercial DVDs protected by the CSS, some players and rippers software can play and rip copy-protected DVDs. So, if you want to use HandBrake to rip a commercial DVD, note that you need to install libdvdcss to it.

Where to Download HandBrake Libdvdcss

The first thing you need to know is that the libdvdcss is available on GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Haiku, Mac OS X, Solaris, QNX, OS/2, and Windows NT 4.0 SP4 (with IE 5.0). Then, you can download libdvdcss from VideoLAN's official website or GitHub. Here are the steps on how to download and install libdvdcss to HandBrake.

Step 1Go to the official website of GitHub, search Allienx in the search box, and click Libdvdcss-dll.

Allienx Libdvdcss-dll

Step 2We need to choose the latest version of libdvdcss, 1.4.3 version, which has the key to decrypt the newest and oldest CSS involved in the DVDs. So, open the folder named 1.4.3. and click the libdvdcss-2.dll file you need to download it.

Libdvdcss Download

Step 3Copy the downloaded file and paste it into HandBrake's installation folder. Then, you can use HandBrake to decode protected DVDs.

Paste Libdvdcss in HandBrake Folder

Part 2. How to Use HandBrake Libdvdcss After Installing It

Use HandBrake Libdvdcss to Rip on Windows and Mac

After installing the libdvdcss library, you can use HandBrake to rip DVDs on Windows or Mac. Below are the steps to help you.

Step 1Insert the DVD into a compatible drive before connecting it to your computer and launch HandBrake on your Windows/Mac.

Step 2Click Open Source on the left top and open the DVD in your HandBrake. Then, the libdvdcss in it will read the DVD data automatically.

Open Source

Step 3You can choose the video quality from the Preset and click Browse to select a destination folder. Then, click Start Encode to rip your DVDs.

Rip DVD with HandBrake

Troubleshoot HandBrake Can't Decrypt DVD with Libdvdcss

Some users have complained that they still can't open the encrypted DVDs with HandBrake, and they are sure that their DVDs and DVD drives are in the right state. Their failure to rip with HandBrake might be caused by many reasons; let us read on to learn more.

Overloaded CPU

Sometimes, an overloaded CPU can cause a failed ripping. For that reason, you can shut down other software and clear the computer junk to make it operate faster.

Unsupported subtitles

If the subtitles of the DVD are incompatible with the HandBrake, you can find your HandBrake libdvdcss not working. Just choose another subtitle or disable the subtitle in the Subtitles feature.

Older versions of HandBrake libdvdcss

If your libdvdcss version is not the latest version, it might not work. Because the latest version might update the data that needs to decrypt CSS. So, you need to download the latest 1.4.3. version.

Note

Before ripping, you'd better check the laws of your country to see if it is acceptable. Generally, ripping copy-protected DVDs for commercial use is illegal, and you can only rip them for personal use.

Rip DVD without Libdvdcss - Works for Encrypted Disc - DVD Ripper

Installing libdvdcss to HandBrake might be difficult for some users. Therefore, we recommend another powerful but easier tool, DVD Ripper, which allows you to rip commercial DVDs without installing libdvdcss. You can download this software on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 and Mac OS 10.12 or above.

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Blu-ray Ripper

Convert DVDs to more than 500 digital formats such as MP4, AVI, MPEG-1, etc.

It supports almost all DVD types, including DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD folder, DVD ISO files, etc.

EnhanceIt also allows you to edit your DVDs with features like rotating, cropping, trimming, etc.

With the support of hardware acceleration, the player can rip a one-hour movie in 5 minutes, 60 faster than other ripping software.

Here are the steps to use DVD Ripper.

Step 1Launch the DVD Ripper on your computer after connecting the DVD drive loaded with your DVD. The ripper will read your DVDs automatically.

Step 2Click the drop-down list beside Output Format and choose any format you like. Then, you can click Rip All to start ripping.

Choose Output Format

Part 3. FAQs about What is HandBrake Libdvdcss

Conclusion

After reading this article, you must know what libdvdcss is. With the methods we mentioned, you can choose to install libdvdcss to HandBrake and rip your encrypted DVDs without limitations. If you want to adopt an easier way, you can also try the HandBrake alternative - DVD Ripper, which can help you to rip DVDs effortlessly. Just try what you like and enjoy your movies now.

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