How to rip DVD movies and import into iMovie for editing

How do I rip DVD movies onto my computer so it can be used in iMovie?

Question: How do I rip and import DVD movies into iMovie?

I have the newest edition of the macbook and I have two home DVD's that I acquired well over a year ago that I want to put into iMovie to edit. I know this can be done through a camcorder but I do not have the orginial camcorder and tapes. Any suggestions?

Answer

As we may know, DVD is not supported by iMovie. So if you'd like to import a DVD to iMovie for editing, you need to get a Mac DVD Ripper software to rip, copy and convert DVD movies to iMovie supported video formats then import into iMovie. Get iFunia DVD to iMovie Converter for Mac to rip and import DVD movies into iMovie.

Things you'll need

• A DVD movie you want to copy
• A DVD Drive
• Mac DVD to iMovie Converter software
• iMovie

Step-by-Step to rip your DVD movies for iMovie

Step 1: Download & install iFunia DVD to iMovie Converter for Mac

We’ll be using a very nice DVD converter tool for Mac OS called ‘iFunia DVD to iMovie Converter’ for ripping our DVD, head over here and download the free trial version. Next step is to install the program.

Step 2: Run iFunia DVD to iMovie Converter for Mac

Now get your DVD disc and insert it. Then run iFunia DVD to iMovie Converter on your Mac and click the big button "Load..." to load your DVD disk, you may see the name of DVD Movie disk if you insert DVD disk before running this DVD ripper tool (see the image below to have an idea). This may take up to a minute or two depending on the contents of the DVD and the speed of your optical drive.

Step 3: Select the titles you'd like to convert

A movie DVD usually has several titles. However, only the first title is the content of DVD movie ( you may recognize it from the 'Length', see the image below), the other titles are the theatrical trailers. You may un-check the options not to convert these useless titles. Just check the first title option and convert all chapters of DVD movie content to one single video file. The shorter titles on the DVD are usually the video backgrounds used in the DVD menu screens and DVD extras like movie trailers. Unless you are a graphic artist, you probably don't want to convert these titles.

Step 4: Change the output settings to convert videos with best quality

iMovie can support MP4 (mp4v/h264 codec) with MOV (h264 codec) formats. Learn more about iMovie supported movie formats.

You may set the output format as following in iFunia DVD Ripper Pro:

• Set video format as MP4-MPEG Video File (*.mp4) and video codec as mp4v
• Set video format as MPEG4 H264 (AVC) Video File (*.mp4) and video codec as h264
• Set video format as MOV-QuickTime Video File (*.mov) and video codec as h264

Step 5: Start converting DVD movies

Now you may click the big button "Start" to begin converting DVD movies for iMovie.

Why rip your DVDs for iMovie

• Editing your videos! The videos ripped from DVDs can be used for video editing in iMovie & Final Cut Studio.
• Keep your DVDs safe! Movies stored safely in your computer can't get lost, scratched or broken.
• Find movies faster! Use your Mac's built in search tool, Spotlight, to find a movie in your collection... instantly.
• Easily organize your movies! Moving files around on your computer is a lot easier than alphabetizing shelves full of DVDs.
• Simplify entertainment on the go! Why carry around bulky DVD cases or disc wallets when you don't have to?

Mac DVD Ripper Pro for iMovie

DVD Ripper Pro for Mac is a professional DVD ripping software to rip DVD movies to MP4/MOV videos for importing into iMovie. It helps you rip and convert DVD content to iMovie support video formats for video editing in iMovie.

(PC user? Get Windows version here)