How to Rip Blu-ray Discs on Linux Mint 21.3： Best Software Options

Eh, so you got one of them fancy Blu-ray discs, huh? And you’re sittin’ there with Linux Mint 21.3 wonderin’ how to get them movies and shows ripped onto your computer, right? Well, let me tell ya, ain’t as hard as folks make it sound. I’m gonna tell ya how to do it with some simple software and tricks that work right on that Linux Mint of yours. Real easy, like peeling a potato, just takes a bit of knowin’ which software to use.

First off, what’s this Blu-ray ripping about anyway?

Well, Blu-ray ripping is just a way to take all the stuff on that shiny Blu-ray disc and put it on your computer so you don’t have to stick the disc in every time. Now, don’t go doin’ this if it ain’t your own Blu-ray, alright? Gotta keep it honest. This whole process will save your discs from wearin’ out too, just like keepin’ yer good plates for Sunday dinner.

Now, you’ll need the right software to do this on Linux Mint 21.3. Lucky for you, Linux Mint’s got some good options that don’t cost a penny.

• MakeMKV: This one here’s like a pro tool for makin’ MKV files. MKV’s a format that holds all the video, audio, and them subtitles from the Blu-ray. You get the whole shebang, real clean quality. Best part? It’s lossless, which means you ain’t losin’ any of that crisp, clear picture. To install MakeMKV, just go to their website, grab the Linux version, and follow the instructions. But heads up, sometimes it’ll ask you for a temporary key, which you can find on their forum.
• HandBrake: Another tool you might want is HandBrake. Now, HandBrake ain’t exactly a ripper, but once you got the files on your computer, it can compress ‘em down to a smaller size if storage is tight. It supports all kinds of formats, so if MKV is too big, just convert it to MP4 or somethin’ smaller.
• VLC Media Player: VLC can do a bit of everything, even rip some DVDs and Blu-rays if they don’t have any heavy protection on ‘em. It’s kinda like that all-in-one Swiss Army knife, ya know?

How to Install these Rippers on Linux Mint 21.3

First, open up your terminal on Linux Mint. Looks like a black screen with some text – don’t let it scare ya, it’s real helpful. Most folks use sudo apt install for gettin’ these apps, so try these commands below:

• For MakeMKV, ya might need to download it from their official site, but it’s pretty straightforward once you got it. Just follow their steps.
• For HandBrake, type in sudo apt install handbrake in that terminal of yours, then hit enter. It’ll take a bit, but soon enough you’ll have HandBrake on your Linux Mint.
• For VLC, go with sudo apt install vlc, hit enter, and boom, you got VLC. Easy as pie.

Steps to Rip Blu-ray on Linux Mint

1. Open MakeMKV: Pop your Blu-ray in the drive and open up MakeMKV. When the Blu-ray loads up, it’ll show ya a list of all the different parts – movie, extras, whatever’s on that disc. Choose what ya want, and click “Make MKV.” Wait a bit, and soon you’ll have that movie saved on your computer.
2. Check File Size: Sometimes Blu-ray files can be mighty big, so this is where you can open HandBrake to make ‘em a little smaller. Just drag that MKV file into HandBrake, pick MP4 or whatever format you like, and click “Start.” It’ll shrink it down without makin’ it all fuzzy.
3. Play with VLC: Now you can open that file in VLC to watch it anytime, no disc needed! VLC’s real handy, ‘cause it plays almost anything you throw at it. Just right-click the file and choose VLC from the menu.

Few More Tips for Good Measure

Linux Mint 21.3, being a long-term support (LTS) release, is gonna keep workin’ well for ya till 2027, so this software should stay stable for quite a while. Make sure you’re keepin’ your system updated, too. Just go to your update manager and check for updates now and then. It keeps things runnin’ smooth, and ya won’t run into any snags.

And if you run into any issues, there’s plenty of folks out there on the forums ready to lend a hand. Just look up Linux Mint forums or even the MakeMKV forum – there’s always folks sharin’ tips and tricks.

There ya have it, a simple guide for rippin’ Blu-rays on your Linux Mint 21.3. Takes a bit of patience, but once ya got it down, you’ll be enjoyin’ your movies right off your computer without all that fuss of dealin’ with discs.

Tags：Blu-ray ripping, Linux Mint 21.3, MakeMKV, HandBrake, VLC Media Player