So I have been getting some private messages and inquiries here and there, to create a Bluray ripping and encoding guide (Mac only solution). While I believe that, by now, this should be common sense, I also realize that there isn’t such a thing as common sense…not since the early 80’s at least.
Now, I exclusively use XBMC on a new 2010 Mac Mini. So this guide will be focused more towards this particular setup, but can be easily modified to fit your playback needs.
NOTEs:
1. I’m sure there are probably 50 ways to do this, but this is how I get it done.
2. As of Git:489a8fa, XBMC can handle full Bluray ripped mkvs @ OSX 10.6.4 and higher. Transcoding at this point is to save storage space, but keep great quality.
3. With the addition of Changeset 4055, it is now possible to Passthru DTS-HD. This can allow the elimination of step 3 "Let's make a Baby" for the purposes of introducing the DTS-HD track into the .mkv. May still need implementation in respective GUIs. Also note, that step 3 still allows for subtitle inclusion.
End Result:
.mkv file with encoded video, Lossless Audio (DTS-HD/Dolby TrueHD) and Force Subtitles
What’s Needed:
MakeMKV http://www.makemkv.com/download/
MediaInfo Mac http://mediainfo.massanti.com/
Mkvtoolnix (mkvmerge) http://jonthn.free.fr/MKVtoolnix/
HandBrake http://handbrake.fr/downloads.php
Step 1 (Make a .mkv rip):
1. Insert you Bluray disc and run MakeMKV
2. Press the button in the middle of the screen (Bluray to disk)
3. Once scanning is complete, choose the title with the most chapters (main movie). If there is more than one, then assess the info box for the one you want.
4. Be sure to uncheck all other titles.
5. Then make sure you only have a check box in the Title box, Lossless audio track and the full and/or forced subtitle track…
6. Then click on the Make MKV button on the right
Step 2 (Transcode):
1. Feed HandBrake your newly created .mkv
2. We all know that HB can’t passtru a DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD, but none of that matters; just set your audio tab up like this:
3. These are the settings I use on the advance tab (you can choose which ever you like). @rf20:
4. Once your setting are to your liking, start you encode.
Once complete, you should now have 2 .mkv files:
Your original rip & your HB encoded one. Do not try to play the HB encode as it won’t play correctly due to the borked audio.
Step 3 (Let’s make a baby…)
1. Open Mkvtoolnix (mkvmerge) and add the HB encoded .mkv
2. Uncheck the borked audio track
3. Now add the original Bluray ripped .mkv
4. Now uncheck the video and chapter track from this file. In the end (in this case) you should have a transcoded video track, Chapters, Lossless audio track and forced subtitle track checked.
5. Now click Start Muxing, and let it do its thing:
When completed you should now have:
- Original Ripped .mkv
Encoded .mkv
Merged .mkv