How to Rip DVD Audio to MP3 Using VLC Media Player

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This wikiHow teaches you how to rip a DVD's audio into an MP3 file on your Windows or Mac computer. You can use VLC media player to perform this whole process, though the resulting audio is often distorted or choppy. For optimal results, you can use a free program called HandBrake to rip the DVD into an MP4 file and then use VLC to turn the MP4 file into an MP3.

Extracting Audio from a DVD

  • You can use VLC Media Player on Windows and macOS to rip DVD audio to the MP3 format.
  • On Windows, go to Media > Open Disc… , select "No disc menus," choose Convert from the bottom menu, and select Audio – MP3 as the output.
  • On Mac, go to File > Open Disc… , select "No disc menus," and select Streaming/Saving . Go to Settings > File > Browse and create a filename ending in MP3.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using VLC on Windows

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  1. The DVD should go logo-side-up.
    • If your computer has a CD drive instead of a DVD drive, you may not be able to rip the DVD's audio. You can ensure that you have a DVD drive by looking for the "DVD" logo on the drive's tray.
    • If you either don't have a DVD drive or don't have a space for your disc at all, you'll need to use an external USB DVD drive.
  2. Its app icon resembles an orange-and-white traffic cone.
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  3. It's a tab in the top-left corner of the VLC window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  4. You'll find this option in the drop-down menu.
  5. It's in the upper-left side of the window.
  6. This icon is at the bottom of the window, to the right of the Play button. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
  7. It's in the drop-down menu. This will open a new page.
  8. Click the "Profile" drop-down box, then click Audio - MP3 in the drop-down menu.
  9. It's in the lower-right side of the window. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
  10. In the "File name" text box, type in whatever you want to name your ripped DVD file.
  11. Click a folder in the left-hand sidebar to select it as the save location for your MP3 file.
  12. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  13. This option is at the bottom of the window. Your DVD will begin ripping.
  14. Depending on the DVD's size, this can take anywhere from half an hour to well over an hour. Once VLC finishes ripping your DVD, the completed MP3 file will be in your selected save location.
    • If prompted, click Keep to prevent your MP3 file from getting overwritten.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using VLC on Mac

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  1. The DVD should go logo-side-up.
    • Since most Macs don't ship with DVD drives included, you'll probably need an external USB DVD drive to plug into your Mac.
  2. Click Spotlight
    Mac Spotlight
    , type in vlc , and double-click the VLC result, then click Open when prompted.
  3. This menu item is in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen.
  4. It's in the File drop-down menu. Doing so will open a settings window with your DVD's information.
  5. This button is in the upper-right side of the window.
  6. This option is in the bottom-left corner of the window.
  7. It's on the right side of the window. Your video's conversion settings will open.
  8. This option is at the top of the page.
    • If both "File" and "Stream" are checked, click the "File" checkbox again to make sure it's the only output.
  9. It's in the upper-right side of the window. A pop-up window will open.
  10. Type a name for your DVD file into the "Save As" text box, then type in .mp3 after the name.
    • If you want to name your MP3 file "The Blair Witch Project", for example, you would type in The Blair Witch Project.mp3 here.
  11. Click the "Where" drop-down box, then click a folder (e.g., Desktop ) in the drop-down menu.
  12. It's at the bottom of the window.
  13. This is in the middle of the page.
  14. Check the "Audio" box, then click the "Audio" drop-down box and click MP3 in the resulting menu.
  15. Doing so prompts VLC to begin ripping your DVD into an MP3 file.
  16. Depending on the DVD's size, this can take anywhere from half an hour to well over an hour. Once VLC finishes ripping your DVD, the completed MP3 file will be in your selected save location.
    • If prompted, click Keep to prevent your MP3 file from getting overwritten.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Combining VLC and HandBrake

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  1. HandBrake is a free program for Windows and Mac computers that can be used to rip an MP4 file from a DVD:
    • Go to https://handbrake.fr/ in your computer's web browser.
    • Click Download HandBrake .
    • Double-click the downloaded setup file.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions.
  2. The DVD should go logo-side-up.
    • You can ensure that your computer has a DVD drive (not just a CD drive) by looking for the "DVD" logo on the drive tray. If you don't have a DVD drive, you may not be able to rip your DVD.
    • If your computer doesn't have a DVD drive, you'll need to buy an external one and plug it into one of your computer's USB ports.
  3. Its app icon resembles a pineapple next to a fruity drink.
  4. It's a disc-shaped icon with your DVD's name in the upper-left side of HandBrake.
    • If you don't see the DVD icon, close and then re-open HandBrake.
  5. HandBrake will typically default to an MP4 conversion, but you should double-check the following aspects before continuing:
    • File format — Make sure the "Container" box has "MP4" in it. If it doesn't, click the box, then click MP4 .
    • File resolution — Click Presets , then click a quality (e.g., 1080p ) on the right side of the window.
  6. It's to the right of the "Save As" text box. A pop-up window will appear.
  7. Select a save location, enter a file name in the "File name" (Windows) or "Name" (Mac) text box, and click Save .
  8. It's a green button at the top of the HandBrake window. Clicking it will prompt HandBrake to begin converting your DVD into an MP4 file. Once the MP4 has successfully been ripped, you can proceed.
    • On Mac, you'll just click Start here.
    • DVDs can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours to rip into an MP4 file, so make sure your computer is charged and/or plugged in and well-ventilated.
  9. Open VLC by clicking (or double-clicking) its app icon, then do the following:
    • Click Media (Windows) or File (Mac).
    • Click Convert / Save in the drop-down menu.
    • Click the File tab.
    • Click Add , then select your MP4 and click Open .
  10. It's at the bottom of the window.
  11. Click the "Profile" drop-down box, then scroll down and click Audio - MP3 in the resulting drop-down menu.
    • On Mac, you may instead just check the "Audio" box and make sure that the "Video" box is unchecked.
  12. Click Browse near the bottom of the window, then type in a file name, click the folder in which you want to save your audio file, and click Save .
  13. It's at the bottom of the window. VLC will begin converting your MP4 file into an MP3 file.
  14. Occasionally, VLC will end up in a loop where it attempts to overwrite your file repeatedly. You can solve this problem by force-quitting VLC: [1]
    • Windows — Press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc simultaneously, find VLC on the Processes tab, click VLC , and click End task in the bottom-right corner.
    • Mac — Click the Apple menu
      Mac Apple
      , click Force Quit , click the VLC option, click Force Quit , and confirm your decision if prompted.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I burn my MP3s to CD?
    Community Answer
    Download your MP3 files onto your computer. You need to have decoding software on your computer to expand the compressed MP3 file -- if you don't, there are free trials of such software available online. Then, collect the files into a directory and write them to a writable CD using your computer's CD burner.
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  • Question
    Once I finish converting to the audio, am I able to delete the video file?
    Community Answer
    Yes, once Handbrake and VLC have completed, you may safely delete the the video file. It will not effect your mp3s.
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  • Question
    Can I convert the video files to separate MP3 tracks instead of one big track?
    Community Answer
    See step 6 regarding chapters. If you select each chapter individually, that will create separate files.
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      Tips

      • Using the combination of VLC and HandBrake will produce a much cleaner audio presentation than using VLC by itself.
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      Warnings

      • Your computer may overheat during the ripping process. To avoid this, make sure it is in a cool, well-ventilated area while using VLC and/or HandBrake.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht201276

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open VLC.
      2. Click Media .
      3. Click Open Disc .
      4. Select No disc menus .
      5. Click the down-arrow next to "Play."
      6. Click Convert .
      7. Select Audio – MP3 as the output file type.
      8. Click Browse .
      9. Enter a file name and click Save .
      10. Click Start .

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