Best DVD Decoders for Window XP/Vista/7/8/10: Features, Pros, and Cons

Table of Contents

How to Decode DVD?

Top 6 Free DVD Decoder for Window XP/11/10/8/7 & Mac
- 1. DVDFab DVD Ripper — Decode DVD to Digital Files
- 2. WinX DVD Ripper
- 3. VLC Media Player
- 4. MakeMKV
- 5. K-Lite Codec Pack
- 6. AnyDVD

Comparison of all DVD Decoders

FAQs
- Why Is Your DVD Not Decoderable?
- Does Windows 10/11 have a DVD decoder?

The Bottom Line

We understand it can be annoying when you put your DVD in the disc drive and receive an error message. Then why not consider trying an external DVD decoder?

This article will help you with wonderful DVD decoders to help you remove the copy protection on your computer regardless of its OS or version and play them seamlessly on your gaming consoles, smartphones, computers, or any other platform without needing extra codecs. Let’s get started to find out the best compatible DVD decoder.

How to Decode DVD?

DVD decoders are computer software that lets you access and read DVD discs on other platforms like smartphones and media players. You can easily bypass any encryption or copy-protection and decode the MPEG-2 format to see the original images. Most importantly, you can play the DVD content using the viewing programs available on your PC.

When you buy a DVD player for your PC or Mac, it already has a DVD decoding program. DVD decoders were pre-installed on older computers, but Windows 8 and upwards no longer have built-in DVD decoders in the Windows Media Player. Furthermore, you must seek a different plan if you purchase a second-hand PC or refurbished model without a DVD decoder. Having said that, if it is not there on your PC, you can try an alternative or check any of these best free DVD decoder for Window XP or Mac.

Top 6 Free DVD Decoder for Window XP/11/10/8/7 & Mac

1. DVDFab DVD Ripper — Decode DVD to Digital Files

💻Working System: Windows PC 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32/64 bit) and MacOS 10.10-13

DVDFab DVD Ripper is a compatible DVD decoder that helps you decode and convert DVDs to video and audio formats for seamless playback on any device or media player, including home theatre. It removes encryptions and copy protection from the latest or old DVDs in 1:1 quality with lossless conversion.

WHAT WE LIKE

Supports latest protected DVDs
Enables high-quality lossless conversion
Seamlessly rip DVD/ISO/Folder to 1000+ formats
Remove Cinavia protection and produce high-quality output

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

The free version has limited functions

How to decode a DVD to digital file using DVDFab DVD Ripper?

Step 1

Launch DVDFab DVD Ripper and Import the DVD Source

Download and install DVDFab DVD Ripper. Select the Ripper module. Now, either insert the DVD into your computer or drag the ISO file or DVD folder onto the user interface.

Step 2

Select a Profile and Customize the Output Video

Click on Choose Other Profile to access the profile library and select your desired profile. You have the option to convert the DVD into popular digital formats or choose a specific output device format.

Then, access advanced settings and modify parameters. Additionally, utilize the built-in video editor to trim, crop, rotate, add watermark and subtitles, and contrast to enhance video quality.

Step 3

Initiate the DVD Ripping Process

Determine the file directory where you want to save the output video. You can also enable GPU Hardware Acceleration to expedite the batch conversion. Once you have configured all settings, click on the Start button.

2. WinX DVD Ripper

💻Working System: Windows PC 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP (32 and 64 bit), and MacOS Sonoma or lower

WinX DVD Ripper is a beautiful suggestion, making its place on our list. This compatible DVD decoder helps decode your DVDs with any encryption or region code, be it CSS, region code, DRM protection, and so on. As it is compatible with all the Windows versions, including XP, Vista, and higher OS, you can encode your DVD docs into multiple formats like AVI, MOV, or MP4 in different video codecs.

Features of this DVD Decoder

Rips any DVD, even if it is damaged or scratched
Allows rapid 1:1 DVD ripping and conversion
Enables you to access and view the files using any device
It provides incredible image quality & supports old and outdated discs

WHAT WE LIKE

Offers several output formats
Allows to adjust video quality
Provides custom profiles and editing tools
Enables using GPU to increase the file conversion speed

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

Promotes folder backups only
Does not have a 2FA
It does not allow canceling the ripping process online

3. VLC Media Player

💻Working System: Windows PC 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, MacOS X 10.7.5 or later, Linux, Unix, iOS, and Android

VLC Media Player is one of the excellent video players, but only a few know that it is also a free DVD Ripper for Windows 10. Users can try the software to decode and rip their DVDs and keep the information safe on their computers. In addition, with cross-platform availability, you can decrypt the DVD and play them seamlessly by converting it to MP4 file format.

Features of this DVD Decoder

Includes subtitle synchronization with audio/video filters
It offers numerous codecs & quickly plays most multimedia files
Helps do basic video recording and editing
Supports a vast range of formats such as audio CDs, DVDs, VCDs, and many streaming protocols

WHAT WE LIKE

Free and open-source platform
Decode and rip DVD to USB
It helps preview the output while converting the file
Works seamlessly on multiple platforms like Windows, Mac, and Linux

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

Lacks video editing capabilities
Slow and time-consuming process

4. MakeMKV

💻Working System: Windows PC 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, Linux, and MacOS X 10.7 or newer versions

MakeMKV is a popular and free DVD decoder for Window XP that helps you decode Blu-ray and DVDs to convert them to lossless MKV videos. Also, the DVD ripping functionality is absolutely free for Windows and Mac users. You can easily rip your DVD to MKV without losing the quality.

Features of this DVD Decoder

Efficiently reads DVD and Blu-ray discs
Retains videos and audio tracks with HD audio
It does not require additional software for decryption or conversion
Keeps the meta information like audio type, title, track language, and so on
Reads Blu-ray discs protected with the newest versions of AACS and BD+

WHAT WE LIKE

Simple and easy to use
Easily rips encrypted DVD discs
Completely free software
Convert as fast as the drive reads the data

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

No hardware acceleration is available
Results in issues like the incompatible format

5. K-Lite Codec Pack

💻Working System: Windows PC 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/2003/XP (32 and 64 bit) only

K-Lite Codec Pack is a Windows XP DVD Decoder that lets you open DVDs and Blu-ray discs without any difficulty. K-Lite Codec Pack works seamlessly on all Windows OS versions from XP and above. While many versions of the K-Lite Codec Pack are available, you can start with the Basic version.

Features of this DVD Decoder

Free and lightning-fast program
The user interface is simple and easy to use
Install all codecs and tools
Offers numerous video and audio formats

WHAT WE LIKE

Easy to use with consistent performance
Useful and fail-proof player
Never hangs or crashes ever
Easily upgrades the existing player

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

No repeat, i.e., loop button
Automatically sets itself as the default player

6. AnyDVD

💻Working System: Windows PC 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP SP3 (32 and 64 bit) only

AnyDVD is a DVD decoder for Windows that helps remove DVD restrictions silently in the background, making it easier to use other programs without any hassle. While encrypted DVDs are hard to read and play, AnyDVD easily decrypts them to access different media players. Luckily, with a free trial period of 21 days, you can try the program to check its functionality.

Features of this DVD Decoder

Automatically adjusts your monitor’s refresh rate
Quickly modifies files on the disc & easy to customize settings
Removes any restriction like copy protection, encryption, or region code automatically
It eliminates any warnings, forced subtitles, trailers, etc.

WHAT WE LIKE

User-friendly software
Supports HD DVDs for quality viewing
Easily removes region codes and copy-protection
Operates seamlessly in the background without interruptions

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

Time-taking ripping process
It is incompatible with Mac and Linux systems

Comparison of all DVD Decoders

Let’s look at these DVD decoders at a glance to compare them on some common grounds and find out which one is the best.

	DVDFab DVD Ripper	WinX DVD Ripper	VLC Media Player	MakeMKV	K-Lite Codec Pack	AnyDVD
Decode protected DVD	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Converts DVDs to video/audio	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hardware acceleration	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Built-in Video Editor	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No

Upon analyzing the chart, it becomes evident that each of the 6 DVD decoders possesses distinct advantages. Therefore, your selection of a DVD decoder should align with your specific requirements and preferences.

FAQs

Why Is Your DVD Not Decoderable?

Earlier Windows versions had built-in DVD Decoders, but the newer ones, like Windows 8/10/11, do not have one. This is why you get a prompt saying that compatible DVD Decoder is not installed on your PC/computer, and hence, you must get an external DVD Decoder separately.

Does Windows 10/11 have a DVD decoder?

No. Windows 10/11 has no pre-installed DVD decoder in the Windows Media Player.

The Bottom Line

Incompatible DVD decoders are annoying, especially when you need to watch your favorite DVD on your media player. Nothing is more irritating than an outdated driver or a broken DVD drive. In such a case, you can use third-party compatible DVD Ripper to remove the copy protection and delve into a seamless playback experience.