We live in a world where we want every movie and TV show to be available at our fingertips on every electronic device in our arsenal. Shelves chock-full of movies now seem overly cumbersome, and they’re also an unnecessary waste of space that can be better used for something else. On top of that, we all know how boring a flight or train ride can be without access to a robust library of entertainment. There’s more than one way to convert your spinning movie discs to a format that’s compatible with a range of devices, and here to help out is our guide on how to convert a DVD to MP4.
The process is easy whether you’re using the latest version of Windows, or MacOS Mojave. Keep in mind that reproducing copyrighted material is illegal!
HandBrake (free)
Balancing advanced options with a no-nonsense UI, HandBrake is one of the most popular DVD-to-MP4 converters available today. With broad compatibility and no trial timers to worry about — it’s open source, after all — the application is a powerful and versatile option. Handbrake did have a recent issue with malware, but that’s been resolved.
Step 1: Download and install HandBrake
Head to the HandBrake website, choose your operating system, and then click on the appropriate download link to grab the software. When that’s done, you can launch the program.
Step 2: Choose a DVD to convert
HandBrake is pretty straightforward and very user-friendly, and as such, it keeps most of the advanced options behind the scenes until you need them. Thankfully, there are just three options you need to worry about in order to convert your DVD to an MP4. First, choose a DVD via the Open Source button in the top-left corner of the application window.
Step 3: Choose a format, and hit start
Next, choose your desired save location for the resulting file and select MP4 from the drop-down box housed within Output Settings. Then, hit the Start button and allow the software to make the conversion.
Movavi Video Converter (free)
Step 1: Download and install Movavi
Head over to the main Movavi conversion page and click the blue Download for free button for your OS, making sure to select the correct operating system. Then open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Launch the application once installed.
Step 2: Add a DVD
Once open, click your file’s DVD format, then click on the + Add Media button at the top of the window. Then select the DVD you wish to convert into an MP4.
Step 3: Choose a preset and convert
Click on the cog next to Output format at the bottom of the window for a list of customizable presets. Select MP4 (*.mp4) from the list of available formats. Then click Save to: and navigate to your desired save location for the resulting file, and click the Convert button in the lower-right corner to start the conversion process.
WinX DVD Ripper (free)
Step 1: Download and install WinX DVD Ripper
Navigate to the main WinX DVD Ripper homepage and click the green Download free button, then launch the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions. Open the application once installed.
Step 2: Select a DVD
Once open, click the DVD Disc button and choose the DVD you want to convert into an MP4 from its location.
Step 3: Choose a preset and convert
Select the file you wish to convert from the list of available options and select your chosen output format (MP4). Select a save location for the MP4 and choose your desired audio and video settings in the menu underneath. Click the large Run button located in the bottom right to begin the conversion process.
If you want a fast, more optimized method of conversion at the professional level, then you may want to try the Winx DVD Ripper Platinum download instead. It’s around $30 to purchase, but gives you lots of editing options and converts as efficiently as possible.
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DAT file simply stands for “data file” while most of us are not familiar with it. They are commonly used on VCD video files but it is likewise a generic file that other applications utilize to generate data such as games and text editors. Though, DAT files are mostly associated with video contents rather than text documents. If you try to explore the contents of your VCD, you will find out that DAT file actually contains the video itself.
On the other hand, opening DAT file is never easy. There are some media players which support it but majority of them simply don’t because they are not as widely used as before. Moreover, popular streaming websites, video players, Android smartphones, iOS devices and other portable media gadgets don’t have the ability to read DAT files. In case you need to open a DAT file, you should convert DAT to MP4 first being the latter more of a universal file format.
Two Methods to Free Convert DAT video to MP4
Method 1: Apowersoft Free Online Video Converter
Dat To Mp4 Converter Android
The Apowersoft Free Online Video Converter is an application running on the web. There is no need to install for converting video files. Aside from the fact that it saves a good amount of space on your hard drive, using this web-based tool is totally free of charge. This handy file converter is best for people who are using computers in friend’s house or public places because it doesn’t require installations, memberships, registrations or log-in details.
The online application can convert DAT to MP4 online in blazing fast speed, not to mention that using it is extremely easy. You just follow the steps below.
- Click “Select files to start”, you’ll be instructed to download an Launcher to your computer.
- After it is well installed, files can be added to convert.
- Select “MP4” from the Format dropdown listing.
- Hit “Edit” to customize your video like crop, trim, rotate, add effects, insert watermarks, etc.
- Press “Convert” button and the files will be saved to the computer very soon.
It is no ordinary because it doesn’t have file size limitations or time restriction which are quite common in other converters.
Method 2: Using WinFF
Another free DAT to MP4 converter comes to the name of WinFF, a desktop program that you need to install on your PC. Currently, it only supports both Windows and Linux. WinFF is an open source application meaning downloading and using it is totally free. This software can alter both audio and video file formats.
Converter Video Cd To Mp4 Youtube
How to convert DAT file to MP4 using WinFF is nevertheless simple, see the guide below:
Convert Vcd To Mp4 Handbrake
- Right click the DAT file and delete the .DAT extension;
- Replace it with .MP4 or to the format of your desire;
- Launch WinFF;
- Click the “Add” button and select the .dat file you’ve just replaced with .mp4;
- Hit “Convert to” and select MP4;
- Choose the right video quality as well as settings;
- Click “Convert”.
The main disadvantage of WinFF over the online converter listed above is that using it is a bit complex. You need to install the program, download the right version and replace file extensions. Additionally, bear in mind that WinFF is an open source application, which means there might be some bugs, malwares and crashes.
The Shareware to Convert DAT to MP4
If you have a bit of cash to shell out and don’t want to be tied up with free DAT to MP4 converters, check out Apowersoft Video Converter Studio. With this premium software, you can not only convert popular media files to different formats but also you can download videos from various website and edit them as well. Press the “Download” button to install it on your PC and you will finish the conversion instantly.
Moreover, it supports high definition videos with resolutions up to 4K(4096×2160). Directly converting DAT files so as to make them readable by portable media gadgets such as the iPhone, Samsung, Android smartphones, PSP and many other devices is likewise possible with this shareware.Here are the instructions about how it works.
- Click the “Add files” button to load your files
- Open the “Profile” drop-down list, choose your output format as “MP4”.
- Select the folder to place the MP4 file.
- Hit “Convert” button and wait for the completion.
How to Play VCD (.dat) on PC without Conversion?
If you just want to play DAT files on your computer meaning you have no intentions to convert DAT video to MP4, you can use VLC media player. VLC is a free multimedia program that can play a wide variety of formats like FLV, DVD, WEBM, WMV, MP4, DIVX, DAT, VCD and more. It is currently available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X users.