I'm not at all tech savvy when it comes to this sort of thing. Is it possible to make a digital copy of an officially released blu ray disc? I'm thinking about buying the Tragically Hip's Up To Here Boxset, primarily for the concert film that comes with it. I would like to be able to put it onto my iPad so I can watch it on flights and when I'm on the road.

It is possible, you’ll need to find the right software. Handbrake used to be my go-to but they’ve apparently removed the ability to decode commercial discs.

Thanks Ted!

Smiffy you want MakeMKV followed by Handbrake. It's pretty straightforward and easy to use.

1. Rip with MakeMKV
2. Take the huge file that results and run it through Handbrake to convert it to H265 with 5.1 audio
3. Check the resulting file from that to be sure it's good, with no errors (spot check, then check the end for lip sync and audio issues)
4. Delete the huge file Make MKV created, Because you now have a good compressed copy of the video.

If you don't care about file space, then you can just keep the original ripped file from MakeMKV.

Thanks Jeff. I've been away for a while, so sorry for the slow response.

I'm surprised that bands from our generation haven't figured out that, aside from purists, nobody watches DVDs anymore.

Now if you want to do a 4K Blu-Ray, it's much more complicated and involves uploading a new firmware to your disc player.

Actually, it's exactly the same, apart from that single step.

Alternatively, you could always find someone thats… already done the work, since you already own the disc.

Not that I would ever condone piracy or anything.

True, BUT you usually have to buy a specific model of 4K blu-ray player to successfully rip, as there aren't custom firmwares avialable for all models. So that's an additional step. Also the files are MASSIVE.

The neat part is taking a 1080p 3D blu-ray and ripping it into a file format that the Meta or other 3D glasses can view! Best way to watch a 3D movie.