5 Best DVD to AVI Converters [2024]

To convert your DVDs to AVI, follow these simple steps:

  1. Download and launch Movavi Video Converter.
  2. Add files to the program.
  3. Choose AVI as the output format and convert your files.

Edited by Ben Jacklin
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In this guide, we explore how to convert a DVD to an AVI file. You’ll find a review of paid and free programs that can help you convert .dvd to .avi.

Software

OS

Best for

Download

Windows

Converting using presets

Windows, Mac, Linux

Converting and playing videos

Best tools to convert DVD to AVI for free

Supported OS: Windows, Mac

Best for: converting and editing videos

G2 rating: 4.5/5, 3 reviews

Movavi’s DVD-to-AVI converter lets you rip straight from a DVD. With incredibly simple and straightforward controls, it is easy to choose the exact settings you want, and this means you can rip the file you require in extremely high-quality. This is ideal for editing or just for uploading elsewhere. Movavi also makes it easy to rip to a mobile device. Just set the output file to go to the target folder on your device while it is plugged into your computer. The software has both a Windows and Mac version, too. Here’s how to convert DVD to AVI with Movavi Video Converter:

Step 1: Download and install the DVD-to-AVI converter by Movavi.

Step 2: Drag and drop media files into the window to start the conversion process.

Step 3: Choose the target format you are looking for. In this case, it will be AVI, but the software supports over 100 file types.

Step 4: Click Convert to start the process of conversion, setting the destination folder to save your new AVI file.

Pros:

  • Easy drag and drop functionality.

  • Support for over 180 formats.

  • The simple and straightforward layout on both Windows or Mac.

Cons:

  • Can’t add videos for conversion via URL

Supported OS: Windows

Best for: converting using presets

CNET rating: 2.8/5, 195 reviews

With the free version of AVS Video Converter, it’s easy to convert media files to more than 150 formats. The program supports HD, 2K, and 4K videos and device-targeted conversions. AVS Video Converter is perfect for converting videos for social media platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also convert multiple files using the batch conversion mode. AVS Video Converter uses hardware acceleration to speed up the conversion process.

Step 1: Get AVS Video Converter.

Step 2: The program supports direct DVD-to-digital conversion. Just select your DVD in the Input Video File field.

Step 3: Click Browse, open the VIDEO_TS folder and select the VIDEO_TS.IFO file.

Step 4: Select AVI as the output format. Customize the preset according to your needs or just proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Click Convert Now! to start the process.

Step 6: Click Open Folder to view the converted videos.

Pros:

  • Presets for specific social media platforms

  • HD, 2K, 4K support

  • Device-targeted conversions

  • Supports hardware acceleration

Cons:

  • Interface might seem confusing to inexperienced users

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems

Best for: converting and playing videos

CNET rating: 4.6/5, 37 reviews

VLC Media Player is very popular open-source software. It’s developed by VideoLAN and works on both Mac and Windows operating systems. For many people, it is a go-to piece of software for using to play video files that are downloaded from the internet, but it is also capable of playing DVDs. On top of this, you can convert DVD to AVI or a few other file formats if you need to.

Step 1: Download and set up VLC Media Player and insert your DVD into your disc drive. This should load the video in the software, but it doesn’t matter if not.

Step 2: On the Media menu, click Convert/Save.

Step 3: Click on the Disc option.

Step 4: Under Disc Selection, locate the DVD option and click this. You will then be able to choose the location of the DVD drive to use.

Step 5: Click Convert/Save. This will bring up an option for the rip settings. You can select to rip DVD to AVI in this menu.

Step 6: Choose a destination folder, and then click Start. This allows you to choose where you want the file to be saved once it is complete.

Pros:

  • Excellent free DVD-to-AVI ripper. The VLC media player is easy to use.

  • Works on Mac and PC just as easily.

  • Free of charge with no watermarking on ripped files.

Cons:

  • May not allow you to rip protected DVDs.

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Best for: converting chapters into separate files

CNET rating: 4.1/5, 109 reviews

This software has a free version to allow you to do the basics of converting a DVD to an AVI file. Still, Xilisoft’s features are mainly hidden behind a paywall, and you will have to upgrade to their premium software to get the options to edit your videos, for instance. One of the best features of this software is that it allows you to download the video in chapters easily, so if you need to access one particular segment, this is very easy to do. This is ideal for those who are ripping DVDs because they want to edit the contents. It lets you find the footage you need quickly.

Step 1: Download Xilisoft DVD to Video and install the DVD-to-AVI converter free. Load your DVD into your disc drive.

Step 2: Choose between the three modes. Title mode converts the whole DVD to one file. Segment mode lets you choose clips. Chapter mode converts the movies as chapters.

Step 3: To extract a clip, set the Start Time and Duration to get the file length you need.

Step 4: Choose the AVI format from the video format list. You can then hit the Convert button to start to convert.

Pros:

  • Easy to use the different modes, so you only extract the video clips you want.

  • Free software for both Windows and Mac.

  • Relatively simple layout, easy to use.

  • Impressive speed compared to some other free DVD-to-AVI converters.

Cons:

  • Struggles to convert copyright-protected discs.

  • You might not be able to convert the whole video you want, as you might be asked to provide payment.

Supported OS: Windows

Best for: simple conversion

Trustpilot rating: 3.6/5, 574 reviews

If you are a Mac user, Freemake isn’t an option for you, but if you are a Windows user, then it could be a good solution without spending any money. The layout is not as easy-to-use as some of the other software on the market. Still, it has plenty of functionality and recognizes hundreds of file types, and lets you rip HD content from DVDs ready to store elsewhere or upload to your phone or another device. Freemake is a good solution for older versions of the Windows operating system, too. It works with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and even models as far back as Vista.

Step 1: Download and install Freemake Video Converter.

Step 2: Insert the DVD you wish to convert.

Step 3: Choose your conversion files. As well as being a free DVD-to-AVI converter, this also supports MP4 and MKV formats.

Step 4: Choose conversion parameters to get the size you need.

Step 5: Choose the output folder and hit OK to start the conversion.

Pros:

  • Free of charge and easy install for Windows users.

Cons:

  • This software is a little bit clunky to use, not as intuitive as the others.

  • No Mac version, the DVD to AVI software recommends Handbrake for Mac users.

Here’s what Movavi Content Team does to provide you with only verified information:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All the products covered in this article have been tested by our team.

  • When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

disclaimer_person

How to convert DVD to AVI with Movavi Video Converter

Let’s start with Movavi Video Converter. This easy-to-use software for Windows or Mac is designed to make video conversion as easy and fast as can be. It'll help you transfer your DVD video into digital files without losing quality. With this app, you can also edit your videos – cut, merge, or crop video files, add subtitles, apply filters, and more.

Download Movavi Video Converter and start the DVD-to-AVI ripping. Just follow our step-by-step tutorial below, and you’ll have a digital movie library in no time.

Step 1. Install and run the free DVD to AVI converter

Install the program following the guidelines on your screen.

Step 2. Add the DVD for conversion

Hit Add Media, then select Add DVD and click Open DVD. Find the VIDEO_TS folder on your DVD and click Select Folder to add the files to the conversion list.

How to add files for the DVD-to-AVI conversion

Step 3. Choose your output format

Go to Video at the bottom of the program window. Expand the list of AVI formats and choose a specific type of AVI, for example, with a different codec or resolution.

How to specify the output format to convert DVD to AVI or AVI to DVD

Step 4. Convert your DVD to AVI

Make sure the correct Save to folder is selected and click Convert to start ripping your DVD. Using Movavi Video Converter, you can encode most file types both ways, so it’s also possible to convert AVI to the DVD (.vob) format or any of the other 180+ presets.

How to rip DVD to AVI and save the result

* Disclaimer. Please be aware that Movavi Video Converter does not allow to convert copy-protected videos and DVDs.

Summary: How to choose DVD to AVI Converter

Though there are some free options out there, it is worth thinking that free versions of software often come with limited functionality and features. Some free DVD-to-AVI converters may even watermark the videos so that the ripped DVD will end up with an annoying logo on it. Paid software may be a better option for some. It usually gives more opportunities for file types and formats, as well as resolution options. Unlike DVD-to-AVI freeware, they won’t watermark your video. Paid software is usually easier to set up with more file options, too.

  1. Movavi Video Converter – full video conversion package
  2. AVS Video Converter – converting using presets
  3. VLC Media Player – suitable for downloading podcasts within a desktop media player
  4. Xilisoft DVD to Video – converting chapters into separate files
  5. Freemake – simple and quick conversions

For converting using presets

AVS Video Converter
Bestseller

For converting and editing videos

Movavi Video Converter

For simple conversion

Freemake

DVD and AVI: comparing formats

While an AVI file is a standardized file type, .dvd file extensions are often used for video editing software and people looking to convert DVD to AVI for free. A DVD file may contain data, along with both audio and video files. Technically, the DVD is a disc, first and foremost, designed to hold more data than a CD.

File format

DVD

AVI

File extension

.dvd

.avi

Category

Video and Data File

Video and Data File

Main facts

Often used by the video conversion software.

Standardized video file type.

Video encoding format

MPEG-2 compressed video

XviD, or DivX, or MPEG-2 codecs

Frequently asked questions

▶️ How to convert DVD to AVI on Windows 10?

To rip DVD to AVI on Windows 10, you can use Movavi Video Converter. The following simple steps will allow you to take a DVD file and turn it into a digital file to store on your computer or a disc drive.

Download Movavi Video Converter for Windows

  1. Install and run the program.
    Install the program following the guidelines on your screen.

  2. Add the DVD for conversion.
    Hit Add Media, then select Add DVD and click Open DVD. Find the VIDEO_TS folder on your DVD and click Select Folder to add the files to the conversion list.

  3. Choose your output format.
    Go to Video at the bottom of the program window. Expand the list of AVI formats and choose a specific type of AVI, for example, with a different codec or resolution.

  4. Convert your DVD to AVI.
    Make sure the correct Save to folder is selected and click Convert to start ripping your DVD. Movavi Video Converter lets you encode most file types both ways, so it’s also possible to convert AVI to the DVD (.vob) format or any of the other 180+ presets.

▶️ How to convert DVD files to AVI using VLC?

Converting DVD to AVI is possible with the VLC media player. Many people use VLC for different uses, as it is a versatile free DVD-to-AVI ripper.

  1. Download and set up VLC Media Player.

  2. Insert your DVD into your disc drive to load the video.

  3. On the Media menu, click Convert/Save.

  4. Click on the Disc option.

  5. Under Disc Selection, locate the DVD option and click this. This lets you choose the DVD drive.

  6. Click Convert/Save. This will bring up an option for the rip settings.

  7. Choose the destination folder, and then click Start to begin the ripping process.

▶️ How to rip a DVD to AVI on Mac?

You can use Movavi’s DVD-to-AVI converter for Mac to create a DVD rip, turn the video file on your DVD into an AVI file, and be ready to edit or use elsewhere.

Download Movavi Video Converter for Mac

  1. Install and run the program.
    Install Movavi Video Converter for Mac. Ensure that you have chosen the DVD-to-AVI Converter Mac version. Follow the guidelines to install the program to Applications.

  2. Add your media.
    Hit Add Media, then select Add DVD and click Open DVD. Find the VIDEO_TS folder on your DVD and click Select Folder to add the files to the conversion list.

  3. Choose your output format.
    Go to Video at the bottom of the program window. Expand the list of AVI formats and choose a specific type of AVI, for example, with a different codec or resolution.

  4. Convert your DVD to AVI.
    Choose the Save to folder you want before you click Convert. This will start ripping your DVD. Using Movavi Video Converter, you can encode most file types both ways.

▶️ How to convert protected DVDs to AVI files?

If you are looking to convert a protected DVD to use the files elsewhere, you will find that some software cannot do so. To rip a protected DVD, a lot of people choose to use the Handbrake software. This requires you to download a libdvdcss-2 DLL file to get around the copyright protection. You shouldn’t convert a protected DVD unless you have checked that you have permission to copy the DVD to AVI and that it is legal to obtain the footage from a DVD to use elsewhere. Copyright law is complex, but some DVDs may be available under Creative Commons or Fair Use rules.

▶️ Is it legal to rip a DVD you own?

If you have a DVD that contains the footage you have shot yourself or own the copyright to, then you are entitled to rip this to an AVI file. For other copyrighted work, it might technically be illegal to make copies. The DVD box may well state that it is a protected work with copyright, and making a copy, even a digital copy, is not allowed under Title 17 of the United States Code.

Most people are looking to rip DVDs for personal use rather than selling copies. Most government enforcement focuses on people who illegally redistribute rather than someone who puts a film on a Hard Drive. It’s a bit like the days before streaming music when you might technically make a copy to put your music on a hard drive. It may not be technically legal.

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