Introduction to Blu-ray Ripping
Blu-ray ripping refers to the process of extracting content from Blu-ray discs and saving it as a video file on your computer. This allows you to play your media on various devices without needing the original disc. However, you should always be mindful of the legal and ethical considerations—make sure to rip only the discs that you own for personal use.
Linux Mint 21.3 is a reliable and user-friendly distribution of Linux that makes multimedia handling, including Blu-ray ripping, quite straightforward thanks to its vast software support and system stability.
Getting Your Linux Mint 21.3 System Ready
Before you start using any Blu-ray ripping software on Linux Mint 21.3, you need to make sure your system is properly set up:
- A Blu-ray Drive: Ensure your hardware supports Blu-ray reading. External USB Blu-ray drives are usually plug-and-play.
- Required Libraries: Some ripping software requires additional libraries to decode encrypted Blu-rays.
- Root Access: You’ll need sudo privileges to install some packages.
You can update your system first:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThen install common multimedia libraries:
sudo apt install libaacs0 libbluray2 libbdplus0MakeMKV: The Best Tool for Blu-ray Decryption
MakeMKV is one of the most popular tools for ripping Blu-ray discs. It decrypts AACS and BD+ protected Blu-rays and saves the content in MKV format without quality loss.
To install MakeMKV on Linux Mint 21.3:
- Download the latest version from the official website.
- Extract and build it using make and install scripts:
tar -xvf makemkv-bin-*.tar.gz
tar -xvf makemkv-oss-*.tar.gz
cd makemkv-oss-*
make -f makefile.linux
sudo make -f makefile.linux install
cd ../makemkv-bin-*
make -f makefile.linux
sudo make -f makefile.linux installOnce installed, launch MakeMKV from your applications menu. Insert your Blu-ray disc, and it will detect the titles. Choose what you want to rip, then click ‘Save’.
HandBrake: Transcoding and File Compression
HandBrake is a powerful video transcoder that works perfectly alongside MakeMKV. While MakeMKV preserves full quality, HandBrake allows you to compress files into more manageable formats like MP4 or MKV with adjustable resolution and bitrate.
Install HandBrake using the command:
sudo apt install handbrake handbrake-cliOpen HandBrake, import the MKV file generated by MakeMKV, select your desired preset (like Fast 1080p30), choose your subtitle or audio preferences, and start encoding.
This combination—MakeMKV for decryption and HandBrake for compression—offers a professional-level ripping pipeline for Linux Mint 21.3 users.
VLC Media Player: Basic Ripping Support
VLC isn’t a dedicated ripper but can rip Blu-rays under certain conditions. It supports unencrypted Blu-rays natively and some encrypted ones with additional libraries.
To install VLC:
sudo apt install vlcUse the Convert/Save option in the Media menu. Select the ‘Disc’ tab, choose Blu-ray, and configure the desired output settings. VLC is not as reliable as MakeMKV for Blu-ray discs with advanced encryption, but it’s a convenient tool for basic tasks.
K3b: Optical Disc Utility for ISO Copies
K3b is a KDE-based disc authoring tool ideal for making ISO backups of Blu-ray discs.
Install K3b:
sudo apt install k3bOnce launched, insert your Blu-ray and choose the option to copy the disc or create an image. This is especially helpful if you want to archive your media in its original format.
ARM (Automatic Ripping Machine): Full Automation
For advanced users or server environments, ARM (Automatic Ripping Machine) automates the whole ripping process. It combines MakeMKV and HandBrake to automatically detect when a Blu-ray disc is inserted, rip it, encode it, and store it.
Installation typically involves Git cloning the ARM project and setting it up with Docker or native Python dependencies. ARM is ideal if you want to build a media server using Plex or Jellyfin.
Tips for Troubleshooting and Optimization
Ripping Blu-rays on Linux Mint 21.3 can sometimes face issues:
- If MakeMKV fails to read a disc, check if the disc is dirty or damaged.
- For encrypted discs, ensure that
libaacsand keydb.cfg are correctly placed in~/.config/aacs/. - HandBrake users may need to experiment with different bitrate and encoding presets to balance quality and file size.
Comparison of Popular Tools
| Software | GUI/CLI | Decryption Support | File Conversion | Automation | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MakeMKV | Both | AACS, BD+ | No | Manual | Full-quality MKV backup |
| HandBrake | Both | No (relies on MKV) | Yes | Semi-auto | Compression and format conversion |
| VLC | GUI | Limited | Basic | No | Simple ripping, limited support |
| K3b | GUI | No | No | No | ISO creation and disc backup |
| ARM | CLI | Yes (via MakeMKV) | Yes | Full | Automated ripping & encoding |
Sample Workflow for Blu-ray Ripping on Linux Mint 21.3
Here’s how a typical workflow might look for someone using Linux Mint 21.3:
- Insert Blu-ray into external drive.
- Open MakeMKV and rip the desired title into MKV format.
- Use HandBrake to compress the MKV if needed.
- Store the file or import it into a media server.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
If you’re looking for the best Blu-ray ripping software on Linux Mint 21.3, MakeMKV is by far the most reliable tool. When paired with HandBrake, you get an excellent combination of full-quality ripping and customizable compression. VLC and K3b offer additional flexibility, while ARM is perfect for users who prefer automation.
Related Articles
Molegar A156N 15.6 Laptop User Manual PDF: Complete Detailed User Guide
Weiss Tech WSL-XC Inclined Impact Testing Machine
Complete Guide to Omen Laptop 15 300MHz SSD Location and Upgrade Process
Fix Software Kollgod2.2 – Full Guide, Features, Usage & Safe Optimization Tips