Encode Movie collection for my media player and media server

Summary: Do you want to encode your DVD/Blu-ray movie collections for your media player and media server. Pavtube ByteCopy is one of a very practical software.

As a Senior lovers of movie and electronic product, I collected many movies, and had 8 devices. The most enjoyable thing is converting these BD/DVD movies to my devices and watching them content and online streaming throughout the house. So I need to convert the movie to some format supported, and then transfer this file to my device, my media player and media server, sharing. 

Since I had used some encoder software like Handbrake, Staxrip, TMPG Enc, MakeMKV, pavtube and DvdFab, some of them are either not support cuda (Cuda technology can really shorten the time of video encoding.), or the transformation unstable. Then I google "cuda encode Blu-ray to my media player", then there are many information about it.  And I found the Pavtube ByteCopy used CUDA processing from the GPU to speed up the encoding process, that is I wanted. And it is very easy to use. Another advantage is that it can support almost all video formats like MKV, richer set options to support subtitles. From the case I uesd, the stability of Pavtube is good. Following is a brief introduction about my operation :

Step 1. It took me a few time to complete downloading and installing the Pavtube ByteCopy, then I spended a few seconds to load my disc.

Step 2. I setted the format and Output Path, the Frequently used format are MKV and MP4. Then I click the big Convert to complete it. The whole process is only taking me 20-30 minutes.



After that, I transfer files to my various handheld devices, like two iPhones, iPad and other media player and media server. If you want to know about how to transfer Files between Phone and computer, you can visit this article.

Other features about ByteCopy:

• Preserve multiple audio tracks and subtitles-Play DVD ISO/IFO Files on iPad Air with Multi-track
• Keep the chapter structure in a converted movie title-How to rip Blu-ray Disc to MKV and keep chapter markers?
• Offer optimized presets for different HD Media Players-2014 Beat Blu-ray and DVD Movie Backup and Rip tool
• Provide best settings for iOS/Android/Windows Tablets/Phones-Rip and Backup Disney Copy-Protected DVD Movies for Your Kids

Expanding Reading

Cuda technology is most used in civilian video applications. Concerning the video transcoding software, Cuda technology can really shorten the time of video transcoding. Learn more

The best Blu-ray to MKV Ripper for HD Media Players and HTPCs

Pavtube ByteCopy

Rip Blu-ray/DVD movie to MKV with multiple subtitles and audio tracks.

Source From	Export To
	physical DVD (commercial only)	MKV
VIDEO_TS folder, DVD ISO file
	physical Blu-ray Disc (commercial and home-made)	MKV
BDMV folder, BD ISO file

Tip: when ripping movie from a Blu-ray Disc, a Blu-ray Disc drive is required to read the BD.

Pros:

• All-in-one. Do crack and convert DVD and Blu-ray.
• Lossless. Keep multiple original video, audio, subtitle streams without changing.
• Fast. Single layer DVD copied to MKV in 10 mins, BD around an hour under lossless mode; 1.5 -5 hours under compressive mode. GPU acceleration(CUDA) ready.
• Easy operation. 2 steps process for lossless BD/DVD to MKV ripping.
• Flexible. You decide which streams to keep, what codec to use, and what quality to export.

Cons:

• LPCM audio must be converted to PCM/AC3/AAC/MP3, etc.
• Only main movie can be kept, extras and ads  streams are left out.
• Rip Blu-ray/DVD to MKV format only- AVI, MP4, WMV, MOV, M2TS and more formats not included

Update:

Update- A Windows version updates itself automatically. A Mac version will not get updated unless the user contact support for latest version. No extra charge on update.

Main Interface

Find more thumbnails in ByteCopy User Guide & Thumbnails

How does it work?

ByteCopy rips Blu-ray/DVD movie in two modes- lossless backup and compressive conversion. 

• Lossless Blu-ray copy (preserving Blu-ray main movie with original video, audio, subtitles and chapter info)
• Lossless DVD copy (preserving DVD main movie with original video, audio, subtitles and chapter info)
• Compressive Blu-ray to MKV rip (letting users choose resolution, bitrate, codec, channels, etc or use preset HD Player profiles to compress high quality 1080p Blu-ray contents)

Which HD media players does it support?

• WD TV Live family- WD TV Live, Live Plus, Live Hub
• Popcorn Hour NMT family- NMT C-200, A-200, A-210
• Netgear NeoTV 550 Ultimate HD Media Player
• Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player
• Lacie Classic HD Media Player
• TViX Slim S1
• ViewSonic VMP70 FULL HD Media Player
• Xtreamer Pro/Ultra
• FANTEC P2700 HDD Media Player
• Dune BD Prime 3.0
• Boxee HD Media Playe

Why is ByteCopy the best choice for ripping Blu-ray movies to HD media player?

When people rip Blu-ray for HD media player playback, they want the best quality, if possible, everything original. However, this is not a good idea. Not any HD media player can replace a Blu-ray Disc player so far. Even there are HD media player boxes that lets users to add a Blu-ray Disc drive (e.g. Popcorn Hour C-200), they do not give you full features. Normally you have main movie but lose the menus and special features, and this is called simple BD-navigation.
But most HD media players only read Medias from HDD. That’s why people need get Blu-rays ripped first. When ripping a Blu-ray to HDD, there are quite a lot of formats to save the movie to : ISO, BDMV, M2TS, MKV, and whatever video format you like. Many guys choose ISO because it keeps everything original of the Blu-ray movie. Well “everything original” includes the menus and features and some other files that your HD media player can not play. Without them you can save 3GB or more for a single Blu-ray movie.

And “everything original” also means the 1080p video of very high bitrate, up to 7.1-channels HD audio and PGS subtitles. Now the question is, can your HD media player decode TrueHD and DTS-HD codec? If not, can it pass-through them to an audio receiver that supports these codecs? If not again, you’ll have to down-mix them during Blu-ray ripping, say converting DTS-HD to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio or AAC stereo with ByteCopy, otherwise you’ll watch a silent film… The good news is, not every Blu-ray has 7.1 audio- many Blu-ray Discs still use Dolby Digital codec for main audio stream.

If audio codec is not a problem for you, and you don’t care much about subtitles (captions), MakeMKV is your choice- it rips Blu-ray to MKV with main movie, original audio tracks and subtitles. And 30 days’ free trial. You wanna have subtitles displayed on HDTV when playing ripped Blu-ray? Choose ByteCopy then. It converts the PGS subtitles to DVD subtitle format, which is definitely acceptable by HD media players. It also lets you extract .srt subtitles for MKV file, including forced subtitles.

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Quickly convert DVD into Plex Media Server for streaming

Summary: Are you still  in misery about how to use you phone to watch your favorite movies? Do you still lease the classic DVD from Netflix and wait for his delivery? This document will help you to solve this puzzle. Backup or convert DVD to Plex Media Server, We watch our favorite DVD movies Anyplace at anytime! 

The following example is the real situation of our user feedback, the user wanted to convert his DVD collections to MKV through Plex to his devices, like Android phone and tablet. It is very convenient for his to watch movies in the evenings as a complement to Netflix. Now I briefly introduce the basic circumstances and share the simple steps for you.

As we all know, Plex media player software supports a wide range of multimedia formats and includes features such as playlists, audio visualizations, slideshows, weather forecasts reporting, and an expanding array of third-party plugins. As a media player software, Plex can play most audio and video file formats, Plex media player software is able to decode high-definition video up to 1080p, as well as 10-bit H.264 sources. DVD playback is not yet fully integrated and requires the use of helper applications like Apple's DVD Player. Plex Home Theater (and Plex Media Center) can be controlled remotely using an Apple or Harmony remote control, or via mobile apps. Here we prospective change DVD to this powerful DVD media player, Of course, you must have to download the powerful conversion software-Pavtube ByteCopy

How to convert DVD into Plex Media Server for streaming 

Step 1. Load DVD movies.

Insert your DVD; launch this DVD to Plex converter. Then head to "Load File" icon to import the DVD file. This program will start scanning titles in DVD.



After the files imported, you'll see the interface looks something like screenshot below. All of the major functions are shown in front of you, including the options to check DVD property, choose output format, edit the files, and preview the movie and several other options.

Step 2. Choose Plex Media Server supported format. His choose is HD Viedo-"MKV HD Video (*.mkv)



Then, you might tweak the output parameter settings to get better video/audio quality before the DVD to Plex process. For the most part you can leave this alone; the default optimized settings should be fine as is. 

Step 3: Start DVD to MKV HD conversion.
  
Now you can go ahead and rip that DVD for putting on Plex. Simply hit the "Convert" button at the lower right corner of the window to begin ripping DVD movie for getting onto Plex. This will take a while, depends on the encoding settings, hardware of your PC/Mac computer and the length of the DVD file.

After the conversion completed successfully, drop the file into Plex, then sync your Apple TV, iPad, Samsung, etc for watching and sharing.

More Topics

How to stream Blu-ray movies to any device via Plex over home network
Copying DVD library to Plex Media Server for watching on TV/laptop/Smartphone
Blu-ray VC-1 to H.264 MKV with desired audio track

Top Blu-ray Ripper Reviews: MakeMKV vs. DVDfab vs. ByteCopy

Blu-ray movie are more popular! Also increased are relative products, Blu-ray players, PS3, Blu-ray rippers etc. To protect the expensive Blu-ray Discs from scratching, more and more people are tending to make a backup of their Blu-ray collections. As an experienced user of various Blu-ray ripper tools, the author of this post is pleased to help beginners find their best fit. The following passages take a brief review of three top Blu-ray rippers: MakeMKV, DVDfab and ByteCopy.

MakeMKV Review




MakeMKV is a nice choice for those who feel like to make lossless copy of their Blu-ray and DVD collections. The software does one thing- converting the video clips from encrypted disc into a set of MKV files, preserving most information but not changing it in any way- and does it well. It is very easy to remove unwanted audio or subtitle tracks and pretty fast to back up a Blu-ray. The copying of Blu-ray Avatar took only 86 minutes. All video streams, audio tracks and subtitles are included in resulting MKV file.

Import source: Blu-ray Disc/folder/ISO, DVD

Export file format: .mkv (with original codecs)

To add- MKV (also known as Matroska) is a container file format, in which there can be many audio, video and subtitles streams, allowing the user to store a complete movie in a single file. Practically this means that it is possible to put entire movie with multiple sound and subtitle tracks, chapters and movie thumbnail into single file.

MakeMKV allows for a 30-day trial, and $50 USD is all you pay for lifetime Blu-ray ripping feature. Its DVD ripping feature always stays free, so let’s say thank you to the generous developer of MakeMKV.
  
DVDfab Blu-ray Ripper Review



DVDfab used to stand for an excellent free DVD ripper. Now we know they can do more (and ask for more too). DVDfab Blu-ray Ripper decrypts and rips Blu-ray title to various video files playable on next generation consoles like PS3 and Xbox 360, HD player like WD TV Live, or mobile devices like iPod, iPhone, iPad, etc. Unlike MakeMKV, it exports a lot of video codecs and formats:

Video: MPEG-4, H.264, MP4, MKV, AVI, WMV, M2TS, TS etc.

Audio: MP3, MP4, M4A, WMA, WAV, AAC, AC3, DTS, etc.

So you see the differences here. With MakeMKV you get lossless Blu-ray backupbut only in MKV format; while with DVDfab you lose original Blu-ray quality but get much smaller movie clips in desired format. A preferred feature of DVDfab is their “Lighting speed”, i.e., multi-core CPUs and NVIDIA CUDA support. By taking advantage of CUDA accelerating, the conversion time is greatly shorted.
  
Everyone can evaluate the trial for 30 days before it stops work. To continue using the software, you can buy a one-year license of DVDfab Blu-ray Ripper at $60 USD and $105.6 USD for lifetime license. If you purchase Blu-ray Ripper and DVD Ripper in bundle, it’ll be $93.5 for one-year use and $154 for lifetime. Pretty high price, isn’t it? Especially when you can get a similar Blu-ray Ripper at much lower price?
  
Pavtube ByteCopy Review



You might haven’t heard ByteCopy- as it is released in 2011- but this is absolutely a top choice for those who wannaput Blu-ray to HD media players like WD TV Live and NMT A-210 for playback. So what can it do for you? Basically, the ByteCopy is similar to MakeMKV when it cracks and copied Blu-ray Disc and DVD movie to MKV. However, this app does not only everything (selection of forced subtitles is excluded from the “everything” ) MakeMKV does, but also converts/encodes Blu-ray contents. This feature is a lifesaver for HD media players, as not a HDD player plays 100% of Blu-ray features. E.g. When a BD movie is packed into MKV, WD TV Live can not read the Blu-ray subtitles inlaid. At this moment ByteCopy plays an irreplaceable role- it is the exclusive Blu-ray ripper that converts Blu-ray .sup subtitle to .sub without hurting video and audio quality. When it trans-codes and shrinks Blu-ray contents, CUDA acceleration is employed by default when possible.

Export file format: .mkv

Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, VC-1, MPEG pass-through; H.264, Xvid, MPEG, VC-1 encoded

Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Digital, DTS-HD high-def, DTS-HD MA pass-through; Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, AAC, MP3 encoded.
  
(More thumbnails and user guide)

Trial and Download

ByteCopy for Windows

Requires Windows XP, Vista or Win8/8.1 (32bit and 64bit).

ByteCopy for Mac

Requires x86 Mac OS X 10.5 or later.

Pavtube ByteCopy rips Blu-ray in 2 ways, lossless copy and lossy conversion. In trial version lossless backup runs 7 times only; for loss conversion, a watermark is put on the screen. A full version is offered at $42 USD. The purchase includes a lifetime license and unlimited upgrades.

Compare: MakeMKV vs. DVDfab vs. ByteCopy

MakeMKV and ByteCopy are good for lossless Blu-ray and DVD backup, while DVDfab focuses on Blu-ray trans-coding to portable devices like PS3, Xbox, etc.

Q: Which Blu-ray ripper keeps Blu-ray movie structure (including chapters)?
A: MakeMKV and ByteCopy

Q: Which Blu-ray ripper keeps multiple audio tracks and subtitles?
A: MakeMKV and ByteCopy

Q: What about the ripping speed of the three Blu-ray Rippers?
A: MakeMKV = ByteCopy (lossless copy) > DVDfab

Q: Which en-decodes Blu-ray with NVIDIA’s CUDA support (GPU computing)?
A: ByteCopy and DVDfab (Tip: CUDA works only when exporting H.264 encoded videos)

Q: Which does better on Blu-ray hacking/cracking?
Not a Blu-ray ripper is able to crack all the Blu-ray Discs as decryption always falls behind encryption. So it’s a question of upgrade and tech support. All the three updates their software along with the come up of new BD+ keys.MakeMKV and ByteCopy charge free for updates while DVDfab asks you pay extra money for the updates.

MakeMKV and ByteCopy are similar, you can compare their features with Pavtube ByteCopy vs. MakeMKV (comparison chart).

More Tipics

The advantages of MKV format for Blu-ray Ripping
1:1 Blu-ray to MKV ripping in 2 steps
The best Blu-ray backup method: Blu-ray to M2TS or Blu-ray to MKV

Copy Blu-ray disc to Mede8er MED800X3D for watching with MKV

Summary: How to prepare your blu-ray disc on Mede8er MED800X3D for watching. Read on this article to get the way for converting blu-ray movies to add on your MED800X3D directly with MKV format. 

Mede8er, The Greatest Show on Earth, is the High Definition Multimedia Players and High Definition Multimedia Player. On 1 June 2013, Mede8er MED800X3D is available in Europe, which received everyone's favorite. Many people want to prefer the style of the 800 over the 1000.



The MED800X3D has a built in 3.5" Hard Drive Bay and is ideal for hosting USB Drives or Network Streaming. Works on 2D and 3D TV. It is the best Value Hard Drive Based 3D MultiMedia Player. And Mede8er MED800X3D support so many Video Formats, like AVI , BDMV Light, BDISO Light, MKV, TS, TP, TRP, M2TS, MPG, MP4, MOV, M4V, VOB, ISO, IFO, DAT, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB,FLV resolution up to 720p, 1080i, 1080p. Meanwhile, to Audio Codecs, Mede8er MED800X3D support MP3, MP2. OGG Vorbis, PCM, LPCM, AAC, RA and so on.

Many People had bought it to play movies for enjoying. As we all know, the Blu-ray is easy to be damaged. And maybe you have the same Feelings, as you replaced Blu-ray to another disc frequently, your Blu-ray discs are damaged. So if you copied all movies from your Blu-ray to Mede8er MED800X3D with supported format, you can enjoying your favourite movies over and over again without worried disc damage.
Perhaps, you have know more about conversion software. You will find that the DVDFab, which can works well, but it is too expensive. you may try makeMKV or Handbrake, you will find that they are slower and they do not work for all BD. Pavtube ByteCopy is your best choice , which price was very reasonable and can support all BD. And the operation is enough simple. Here is a simple conversion workflow.

How to backup BD to Mede8er MED800X3D for watching with MKV format

Step 1. You must download and install the ByteCopy on your PC, Pavtube offers trial version.

Step 2. Then you can load the blu-ray disc form the file menu.



Step 3. When the movie is loaded, the software will automatically help you select the main movie, and you can click the format drop-down box to select the format you need.



Tip: If you need Multi-track MKV , you can find the optimized profile. For lossess Blu-ray to MKV backup you are recommended to choose”Lossless/encoded Multi-track MKV” as output format.



Step 4.Click the big Convert. When the conversion is completed, you can enjoy the film, and you can copy the movie to other devices and enjoy movies over and over again. Now 
you can transfer files over lan and then watch offthe drive later. Many people prefer to use USB slave mode to put media on the player in the first place.

More topics

Quickly Backup/Stream Blu-ray to Plex Media Server for playing on HDTV or portable devices
Play ripped Blu-ray MKV files in MPlayer with audio and subtitles track
Complete lossless Blu-ray to MKV backup in 2 steps