A Python GUI tool for automated DVD archival with MakeMKV integration and H.265 conversion.
- One-click DVD ripping and conversion process
- Automated MKV to H.265 MOV conversion
- Real-time file monitoring and processing
- SMPTE timecode logging for professional workflows
- High-quality output settings for archival purposes
- User-friendly GUI interface
- Uses MakeMKV for initial DVD ripping
- Implements H.265/HEVC encoding via FFmpeg
- Real-time file system monitoring using watchdog
- Multithreaded processing for better performance
- Quality-focused encoding settings (CRF 18, slow preset)
- Professional-grade audio settings (AAC 256k)
- Python 3.7 or higher
- MakeMKV
- FFmpeg
- tkinter
- watchdog
- Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/zac-the-ripper.git
cd zac-the-ripper- Create and activate a virtual environment (recommended):
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate- Install Python dependencies:
pip install watchdog- Install external dependencies:
- Launch the application:
python zac_the_ripper_v5_mkv+h265.py-
Configure the following settings:
- MKV Output Folder: Temporary storage for initial DVD rip
- MOV Output Folder: Final destination for converted files
- DVD Drive Index: Your DVD drive number (usually 0 or 1)
-
Click "RIP!" to start the process
- Video: H.265/HEVC (CRF 18, slow preset)
- Audio: AAC 256kbps
- Container: QuickTime MOV
- Logging: SMPTE timecode format
- Windows, macOS, or Linux
- DVD drive
- Sufficient storage space for temporary MKV files and final MOV output
- 8GB RAM recommended for optimal encoding performance
Files are automatically named using the following format:
[Original_Name]_[YYYYMMDDHHMMSS].mov
Process logs are automatically generated in the MOV output directory with SMPTE timecode timestamps for professional workflow integration.