When Microsoft dropped built-in DVD playback from Windows, many people turned to VLC Media Player, and for good reason. VLC not only plays DVDs reliably, it often outperforms the old Windows DVD Player. One of the key reasons is its use of libdvdcss (sometimes called libdvdcss-2), an open-source library from the VideoLAN project that helps handle DVD encryption.
So, what does libdvdcss actually do? In short, it allows software to access and decode DVDs encrypted with the Content Scramble System (CSS). While the library doesn’t work on its own, it can be integrated into apps like VLC and VidCoder to make CSS-protected DVDs playable. You can also download libdvdcss separately and add it to programs like HandBrake to rip encrypted discs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to download and install libdvdcss on Windows so you can use it as an effective DVD decoder for HandBrake or other software.
An important thing to note is that libdvdcss must be consistent with your Windows system. For example, you need to install libdvdcss 32-bit for Windows 32-bit and libdvdcss 64-bit for Windows 64-bit. Here, we list the most common libdvdcss.dll/libdvdcss-2.dll files for each Windows version with download links. But you can also check the VLC libdvdcss repository for all available libdvdcss files.
Download libdvdcss.dll 1.2.13 for Windows 32-bit | Download libdvdcss.dll 1.2.13 for Windows 64-bit
Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.0 for Windows 32-bit | Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.0 for Windows 64-bit
Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.1 for Windows 32-bit | Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.1 for Windows 64-bit
Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.2 for Windows 32-bit | Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.2 for Windows 64-bit
Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.3 for Windows 32-bit | Download libdvdcss.dll 1.4.3 for Windows 64-bit
After downloading the libdvdcss file, simply paste the file into the root directory of your software installation folder. Next, open the software and let the library file do its magic. For more information on how to use libdvdcss with HandBrake, please check out this article: Rip Encrypted DVDs via HandBrake Libdvdcss on Windows.
That said , keep in mind that libdvdcss recognizes DVDs with CSS encryption only. Other DVD protections, such as CPRM, Multi-angle, RCE, Sony ARccOS, UOP, Disney X-Project DRM and Cinavia Protection, cannot be decoded by libdvdcss and may cause errors like HandBrake won’t scan DVD, HandBrake won’t rip DVD, or HandBrake DVD rip scrambled. Under such circumstances, it’ll be better to look for a professional DVD decrypter.
libdvdcss has a limited ability to decode DVDs. Where libdvdcss fails you, WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro will come to the rescue. This simple yet powerful DVD decrypting and ripping tool is built with state-of-the-art decryption technology to tackle with not only CSS but also the latest copy protections. Meanwhile, it provides various formats and profiles to let you rip DVDs efficiently. Here is how to use this software to decrypt and rip DVDs on Windows.
Before start, please free download free download the program on your PC.
Insert a DVD into your computer first. Then launch WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro and select DVD Disc (or ISO Image or DVD Folder) to load the DVD source. The program will scan all DVD titles and mark the main title/main movie automatically.
💡 You can also enable Enhanced Decryption if the DVD fails to import or convert.
Press the output format button on the right-hand side to open the output format page. Next, head to the Video section and choose your preferred video format. You can explore other sections, such as Audio, HD/4K, Web, Device, and 1:1 Quick Copy to discover more output options.
💡 Open Settings and you can adjust the encoding settings as you see fit.
Before ripping, you can choose the audio and subtitle tracks to keep.
Finally, set an output folder with ample free space at the bottom and press Run to start the DVD ripping.
Yes, VLC includes libdvdcss natively so as to play DVDs encrypted with CSS.
libdvdcss is used to access and unscramble CSS-protected DVDs. It can be integrated into applications like VLC, VidCoder, and HandBrake for playing and ripping DVDs.
It’s controversial whether libdvdcss is legal in the US. While DMCA outlaws any distribution of service for “the purpose of circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected”, there is no known legal challenge to libdvdcss as of writing this article.
Disclaimer: WonderFox does not advocate any illegal duplication and distribution of DVDs. All information provided in this article is presented for general informational purposes and personal fair use only. Please refer to the DVD copyright laws in your country before you rip any DVDs.
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