How to Rip an ISO to MKV Using MakeMKV?

Well, ISO files are perfect for keeping exact copies of DVDs and Blu-rays, but they aren't always the easiest to work with, especially if you just want to watch a movie on your TV or mobile device.

That's where MakeMKV comes in, a pro at handling ISO files, Blu-ray discs, and DVDs, turning them into high-quality MKV files that store multiple audio, video, and subtitle tracks in one file. Let's get started.

• Head to the MakeMKV's website and download the software for your Windows, Mac, or Linux.
• Install MakeMKV by following the on-screen instructions, then launch it.

• Click on the "File" menu at the top, then choose "Open files".
• Browse to the location of your ISO file, select it, and click "Open".
• MakeMKV will scan the ISO file and display its contents.

If you're dealing with a DVD ISO, this step will be quick. If it's a Blu-ray ISO, it might take a little longer due to the larger file size.

Now you'll be presented with a list of tracks. These could include the movie itself, extras, commentary, and multiple audio tracks (e.g., different languages). Here's how to handle them:

• Video Track: Ensure you select the main movie or the track you want to convert. The file size usually indicates the main movie.
• Audio Tracks: Choose the languages or audio formats you prefer.
• Subtitles: Select any subtitles you want to keep, including forced subtitles (which display for foreign languages spoken within a movie).
• You can also uncheck any unnecessary extras to save space.

If you're working with a TV series ISO, each episode might show up as a separate title. Make sure you select all the ones you want to convert.

• Don't forget to choose a destination folder to save the output MKV file(s).
• Finally, hit the "Make MKV" button on the right side of the window to start the ripping process.

You'll see a progress bar that shows how the conversion is coming along. Depending on the size of your ISO and the power of your computer, this could take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

Sometimes things don't go as planned, but don’t worry, here are a few tips:

• Double-check that your ISO file isn't corrupted. Try re-downloading or re-creating the ISO.
• Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive. MakeMKV needs room to work its magic.

• Converting ISO to MKV, especially for Blu-ray ISOs, can take time. Be patient, or consider upgrading your hardware for faster conversions.
• Close other resource-intensive programs to give MakeMKV more processing power.

• Update your media player. VLC is a great, free option that plays almost everything.
• Check if you accidentally left out the video track during conversion. It happens to the best of us!

• Some ISOs might have tricky copy protection. Make sure you're only converting ISOs of discs you own.
• Check for updates to MakeMKV. The developers are constantly working to overcome new protection schemes.

Remember, the MakeMKV forum is a goldmine of information if you run into any other issues. The community there is super helpful and can often provide solutions to even the trickiest problems.

A: Using MakeMKV to convert ISO files of discs you own for personal use is generally considered legal in most jurisdictions. However, always check your local laws regarding media conversion and backup.

A: Unfortunately, MakeMKV doesn't support batch conversion. You'll need to convert each ISO file one at a time.

A: No, MakeMKV does not compress the video or audio, ensuring the same quality as the original source. For compression, you'd need to use additional software like HandBrake after the MakeMKV conversion.