Quick summary
SmartRipper is a free utility for creating DVD backups on a computer. It’s convenient for anyone who wants to archive a personal DVD collection, but keep in mind it should only be used to copy discs you legally own. Development on the project stopped amid legal concerns, so use the program responsibly and within copyright law.
Getting started (no installer required)
SmartRipper is distributed as a portable set of executable files rather than an installer. After extracting the download, run the SmartRipper.exe to open the program. If there’s no disc in the drive, the program will report “No DVD found.” Insert a DVD into your optical drive and the application will detect it and run a brief verification to make sure the contents are readable.
How the program detects and prepares discs
Once the disc has been authenticated, the main interface appears and you can proceed to select what to copy. The software automatically scans the DVD structure and presents information about the available titles and chapters.
Available copy methods
- Full-disc backup — create an image of the entire DVD, preserving all menus, extras and data.
- File selection mode — pick individual files or titles to save; useful when you only need specific parts.
- Movie-only rip — extract the primary feature without bonuses or menus.
If you’re unsure which files correspond to the content you want, start with a full-disc backup to capture everything, then remove unneeded items later.
Technical information and advanced options
The lower portion of the interface provides detailed technical metrics for each title and chapter: aspect ratio, display mode, resolution and bitrate statistics (minimum, maximum, average). These diagnostics are mainly valuable to multimedia professionals or anyone planning to further edit or transcode the material.
Audio extraction choices
- Extract as a new VOB — produces a standalone VOB file that remains compatible with DVD authoring and can be re-burned after editing.
- Demux to a separate file — exports the soundtrack on its own (WAV), letting you edit or convert the audio independently of the video.
- Direct stream copy — copies the audio track bit-for-bit from the disc without modification.
Note: the demux option saves audio in WAV format; you can convert it to MP3 or other formats with a separate converter if needed.
Flexibility and target users
SmartRipper can be run using default settings for straightforward backups or extensively configured for advanced workflows. Casual users will find the basic modes sufficient, while power users can fine-tune nearly every aspect of the ripping process.
Recent update
- Added support for extracting d2v project files (new indexing output).
Technical
- Windows
- Free