May 27, 2025Posted by Kevin Miller to Rip DVD
ISO files are complete copies of DVDs but in digital format. These formats are commonly used for archiving and backing up the physical discs. Although they keep a complete disc structure, they are inconvenient to play and are incompatible with most devices and media players. However, through ISO to MKV conversion, you can make it playable across devices and players. MKV is a good option as it offers high-quality video containers supporting multiple tracks and high-definition video. This post will show reliable ways to convert ISO files to Matroska video format. This way, you can improve playback compatibility for modern devices and media players. Plus, you can keep the video quality without needing disc images.
- Way 1. Convert ISO to MKV with Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper
- Way 2. Convert ISO to MKV with MakeMKV
- Way 3. Convert ISO to MKV with DumboFab Video Converter Ultimate
- Way 4. Convert ISO to MKV with HandBrake
Way 1. Convert ISO to MKV with Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper
Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper is a free yet highly efficient tool to convert ISO to MKV. It is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and macOS 10.12 or above. It can handle DVD ISO files for conversion to over 500+ media formats, including MKV. Don’t stress out if your ISO file is encrypted with copy protection! The software can bypass any copy protection to make the conversion possible and easy. You can also customize profile settings by adjusting parameters like encoder, bitrate, resolution, etc. Plus, it has built-in editing tools to add subtitles, change audio tracks, configure effects, etc.
Here’s how to convert ISO file to MKV:
Step 1.Get started by downloading the Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper for free. Install the ISO ripping software on your computer and complete the installation process. Once finished, place the DVD into your computer’s disc drive and launch the software.
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Step 2.Click Load Disc to add the DVD containing the ISO file. Apart from discs, you can also load a VIDEO_TS folder or IFO files. Click the pulldown menu to access the Load DVD Folder and Load IFO Files buttons. Next, select a loading mode in the popup window.
- DVD Navigator Mode: Select this mode to accurately detect and read the ISO files. It ensures correct detection of titles and reduces the chance of error loading.
- DVD Parser Mode: Choose this mode to load damaged or corrupted structured ISO files. It helps when the Navigator Mode fails to detect the main movie or throws errors.
Step 3.Click the Profile pulldown menu and navigate to the General Video category. Select the MKV Video Format (.*mkv) for high-quality ISO file rips. If you prefer a high compression rate for the output format, choose the H.265/HEVC MKV Video Format (*.mkv) option.
If needed, click the Settings button next to the Profile field to configure the profile settings. You can change parameters like ratio, bitrate, channel, resolution, encoder, bitrate, frame rate, etc.
Step 4.Move to the Destination field and click browse to set the output directory. After specifying the destination path, click Convert to transform ISO files to Matroska Multimedia Container. The software will initiate the ISO file conversion without losing quality.
I was surprised by how easy the Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper is to use. It detected the ISO file without any issues and quickly converted it to MKV format. I also liked how it handles copy-protected DVDs effortlessly, eliminating additional steps for DVD decryption.
Way 2. Convert ISO to MKV with MakeMKV
MakeMKV is a specialized software that converts ISO files to MKV format. It can extract videos, multiple audio tracks, and subtitles for conversion into a single container. Best of all, the software can handle copy-protected DVDs efficiently and maintain the full original quality. However, it doesn’t offer compression and converts content without re-encoding, resulting in a large size.
Step 1.Open MakeMKV, click File, and select Open Files to access the ISO file from your drive. Browse to the folder that contains the ISO, select it, and click Open to import. The software will scan the loaded ISO file and display all the available content.
Step 2.Toggle all the titles you want for MKV conversion if the ISO file contains multiple titles. Uncheck bonus content like previews or short featurettes if you don’t need them. Double-click each selected title to expand and choose specific audio tracks you want to keep.
Step 3.Move to the Output Folder section and click Folder to select a destination path. Then, click the MakeMKV button to convert the file to an MKV container. You don’t need to specify the output format; it automatically transforms the files to MKV format.
MakeMKV was perfect for converting ISO files without losing quality. It felt powerful because it kept everything in an MKV file. However, the file sizes were too large, and its output format was limited to the MKV container only.
Way 3. Convert ISO to MKV with DumboFab Video Converter Ultimate
DumboFab Video Converter Ultimate is a flexible software that can batch convert ISO to MKV. It provides multiple formats, including lossless MKV, with the option to select all audio and subtitle tracks. Aside from MKV format, it also offers formats like MP4, H.264, AVI, and 350+ others. Additionally, you can finish the conversion at a fast speed.
Step 1.Launch DumboFab Video Converter Ultimate on your operating system and click the Load Disc button. Select the Load IFO/ISO option to add the ISO file you want to convert. Once loaded, the software will analyze the ISO file and list all available titles.
Step 2.Click the Format field and navigate to the Multi-track Video category. Select the Lossless/encoded Multi-track MKV (*.mkv) option to keep multiple audio and subtitle tracks. Meanwhile, select the MKV HD Video (*.mkv) option for single-track ripping.
Step 3.In the Output field, click the Browse button to specify the destination folder. Then, click the Refresh button in the lower-right corner to start the conversion. DumboFab Video Converter Ultimate will remux the content from ISO to your chosen format.
Dumbo Fab Video Converter Ultimate is almost a complete tool for converting the ISO files. However, the software is not free. It is a paid software that requires a subscription for full access. This means there are several features, mainly advanced ones, that you won’t be able to access.
Want to know more about ISO files? Check the full description here to learn what the ISO file is.
Way 4. Convert ISO to MKV with HandBrake
HandBrake is a highly recognized video transcoding software to convert ISO to MKV for free. It offers powerful encoding technology and advanced customization options, including modern compression codecs. You can choose the main title, adjust the resolution, set bitrate, and add subtitles/audio tracks. Now, a small heads-up: HandBrake does not support encrypted ISO files.
Step 1.Run HandBrake on your system and select the File option as your source selection. The software will scan the file and list the available titles as soon as it loads. But here’s the deal: You must download libdvdcss first if you’re ripping protected ISO files.
Step 2.Click the Titles pulldown menu and select the title of the ISO file for conversion. If you are unsure which is the main movie title, look for the title with the longest duration. Move to the Summary tab and select the MKV option from the Format field.
Step 3.Proceed to the Save As field and click the Browse button to select a folder destination. Now, move to the top section of the software and click the Start Encode button. The software will begin the ISO conversion immediately to MKV format.
HandBrake was great for compressing ISO files into smaller MKV sizes. The open-source software is a big plus, and it works across various platforms. Unfortunately, it can’t handle encrypted ISO files, and the interface is confusing.
Wrapping up
ISO to MKV conversion is a smart way to modernize your digital library. Though convenient for backups, ISO files are not easily playable across devices and media players. Meanwhile, MKVs offer more flexibility in playback, storage, and editing. Among the tools presented, the Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper shines as a highly recommended solution. The free software supports over 500+ formats and efficiently handles encrypted ISO files.
