It’s not complicated, but it is tedious and time-consuming...AND it can get expensive.
1. Get a DVD or BluRay disc
2. Get a DVD/BluRay player and plug it into your computer.
3. Use the MakeMKV software (free) to create an MKV file
4. Use Handbrake software (free) to create an m4v file from the MKV file
5. Now you need a place to store the m4v file so it can be played on your tv, phone, computer, tablet, etc. You can just plug a USB drive into your home router, store the m4v files there, and use “Universal Plug n Play” to play the file. I chose the more expensive approach of setting up a home video server (usually called “Network Attached Storage”). I bought a Synology NAS with room for four hard drives. The NAS and drives cost me about $1,000. But it gives me a place to store and access all my music files, tv show files, and movie files. I just drag/drop the file from my Mac to the NAS. I also keep a copy of both the MKV and m4v files on a separate backup drive.
6. I use the Plex (free or low cost) software to access the content files on the server.
7. I use an AppleTV box ($100) plugged into the tv. It also runs the Plex application.
When it’s all set up, I simply turn on the tv, go to the Plex input, and select the music, movies, tv shows, etc I want to play from my server.
Given the explosion of content available on streaming, I’m not sure I would do it again. But I like older and more obscure movies and tv shows which are not available on streaming services or on yet another streaming service I would have to pay for.
So it’s a trade-off. I spent a bunch of money to set up the server system, but I leverage my existing AppleTV, my existing MacBook Pro, and existing DVD/BluRay player. I spent little on software (I sent a contribution to the MakeMKV developer and bought a lifetime license to Plex). It’s a bit of a pain in the neck to bring out the DVD/BluRay player and rip the show, but it’s mainly setting it up. Once the software is doing its job, I go do some other chores (or go to bed) and let the software complete its work. There are two time-consuming software steps — 1) ripping the file to MKV and 2) converting MKV to m4v. Both are time-consuming.
You can buy software that will rip the file and create a playable m4v directly, but the software is largely made in China and I don’t trust it.
Others may have a shorter and easier recipe, but this one works for me.
Interesting. Thanks for the info, and I will keep it. Not sure if I’ll DO it, but will keep the post.