ratDVD: The Forgotten DVD Compression Tool That Still Packs a Punch

Ever tried backing up a DVD and realized the file size is huge? Like, so massive that it eats up your hard drive space before you even finish your collection? Yeah, it’s a real pain. That’s where ratDVD comes in.

Back in the day, this software was a big deal for people who wanted to compress DVDs without losing menus, subtitles, or extras. Even though it’s not as popular anymore, it’s still a solid tool for those who want to shrink their DVD collection into smaller, more manageable files.

So, let’s dive into what ratDVD does, why it’s still useful, and whether it’s worth using in 2025.

What is ratDVD, Anyway?

A Smart DVD Compression Tool

Most DVD rippers either:

Shrink a DVD into a basic video file (MP4, AVI, etc.) but strip out extras like menus and special features.
Copy everything but keep the file size ridiculously large (looking at you, ISO files).

ratDVD is different. It compresses full DVDs into a much smaller file without losing menus, subtitles, or extra content. So if you want the full DVD experience in a fraction of the space, this tool gets the job done.

Why ratDVD is Still Worth Checking Out

1. Keeps Everything Intact

Ever ripped a DVD only to realize you lost all the special features? No bonus scenes, no director’s commentary—just the main movie. That sucks.

ratDVD preserves everything, so you don’t have to pick between small file sizes and keeping those behind-the-scenes extras. You can navigate menus, switch subtitles, and even watch alternate endings just like on the original disc.

2. Massive Compression Without Destroying Quality

Imagine taking an 8GB DVD and shrinking it down to 1GB or less. Sounds impossible, right? But ratDVD does exactly that, and somehow the movie still looks great.

Sure, it’s not 100% lossless—there’s always some compression—but for most people, the difference is barely noticeable. If you’re trying to store a huge DVD collection without filling up terabytes of space, this tool is a lifesaver.

3. Converts Back to DVD Format Easily

Let’s say you compressed a bunch of DVDs with ratDVD but later want to burn them back onto a disc. Unlike other compression tools, this one lets you convert the files back to their original DVD format with no weird issues.

That means you can shrink your collection for storage, then burn a perfect copy whenever you want. No headaches, no weird formatting problems—just a clean DVD that plays anywhere.

4. Simple Interface, No Extra Bloat

Some DVD software looks like it was designed for NASA engineers. You open it up, and suddenly you’re hit with 50 different settings, sliders, and options you don’t understand.

ratDVD? Super simple.

Insert the DVD.
Click “Convert.”
Wait a bit.
Done.

That’s it. No crazy settings to mess with—just a clean, straightforward tool that does exactly what it promises.

Is ratDVD Still Relevant in 2025?

Okay, let’s be honest—ratDVD was huge in the early 2000s, but these days, most people stream everything or store their movies in MP4 or MKV formats. So, is this software still useful?

The answer depends on what you need:

✅ Yes, if you want to keep full DVD features (menus, extras, multiple audio tracks).
✅ Yes, if you have a ton of DVDs and need serious compression.
❌ No, if you just want a quick MP4 or MKV rip for streaming.

If all you care about is watching movies on your phone or PC, HandBrake or MakeMKV might be better options. But if you still love the full DVD experience, ratDVD is one of the best tools ever made for that.

Final Thoughts: Should You Use ratDVD?

If you’re the kind of person who still values DVDs and wants to keep their full experience, ratDVD is worth a shot. It’s free, easy to use, and ridiculously good at compressing movies without losing anything important.

But if you’re all about digital streaming and just want quick, high-quality MP4s, you might be better off with other tools.

So, what’s your take? Do you still collect DVDs, or have you moved completely to digital? Let’s chat in the comments!