WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro Review

Two months ago we reviewed the free edition of a DVD ripping application that had very good results in terms of conversion speed, output quality, and impact on system resources, namely WonderFox DVD Ripper Speedy. Now we are shifting our attention to the professional version of the same program to examine the extra features it provides and find out whether they are worth the money or not.

Compared to its free counterpart, WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro integrates options for converting the DVD movie into another format after ripping it, as well as for loading DVD movies not only from disc but also from local folders and ISO images. It features support for a wide range of output profiles (common audio and video, online publishing, HD quality, playback on external media devices) and comes bundled with standard and advanced settings alike to meet the requirements of all.

Demo limitations, price, installation

The demo edition does not have an expiration date, so users can take it for a spin for as long as they need. However, it permits only the first 15 minutes from a DVD to be ripped. Those convinced by the app's capabilities may purchase the full package for $39.95 / €29.81 (excluding VAT).

The application is unwrapped very quickly. Settings may be applied as default in quick install mode or customized in terms of setup directory, desktop icon, and shortcuts if the original configuration is unsatisfactory.

Interface, movie info, effects

As far as the interface is concerned, WonderFox preserves the same professional and attractive look for Pro as in Speedy, showing three large buttons in the main frame at startup for selecting the DVD source for ripping and conversion: disc, folder, or ISO image.

Showing the interface in WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

Showing a movie loaded in WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

Easily add DVD movies from disc, folder, or ISO image All DVD titles are loaded in the main window, showing their thumbnail duration, size, resolution, and other details. Just as in Speedy, it is possible to select the preferred audio and subtitle streams, as well as to apply various video effects while previewing the title in a built-in media player, such as darkness, grayscale, blur, sharpness, emboss, noise, pixelization, and vintage. The video can be rotated or flipped, while screenshots can be taken and saved to file (BMP or JPG).

Showing the video effects in WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

Take a look at the video effects and pick the preferred one

Extensive file type support for DVD conversion

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro sports a long list of output profiles to choose from: common video (e.g. AVI, MPG, MP4, WMV, MKV, MTS, WEBM), common audio (e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, FLAC, M4A), HD video (e.g. AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV), DVD and VCD (NTSC or PAL), web video (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Yahoo, FLV), for external devices (e.g. Apple, HTC, Samsung, BlackbBerry, Nokia, Sony), as well as user-defined formats.

The tool can create many types of audio and video formats

Custom settings can be made for the output movie when it comes to the audio encoder, channel mode, sample rate, bit rate, and volume level, together with video encoder, resolution, frame rate, and bit rate. Additionally, it is possible to enable deinterlacing, create new output profiles with the customized options, as well as restore settings to default.

Showing the settings in WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

Easily change program preferences

Program preferences

As for app options, users may specify the maximum number for batch conversion jobs, disable sound alerts on task completion or change it into something else, indicate an automatic post-task action (e.g. open output directory, restart, or shutdown PC), pick the number of CPU cores to use and CPU priority, enable GPU acceleration, disable automatic checkups for software updates, and so on.

The Good

The software utility is compatible with all popular Windows versions, including XP and 8/8.1. It carries out ripping and conversion jobs rapidly while using low-system resources, outputting quality video files.

The interface is simple to use by beginners and also features advanced settings for more experienced users. A help file is available to clarify any issues.

WonderFox offers support for numerous output profiles, multiple threads, CPU prioritization, video previews, trimming, effects, and other adjustments, as well as automated post-task actions.

The Bad

The tool froze while we were modifying audio parameters, and we had to terminate its process to restart it.

Some interface issues that were discussed in WonderFox DVD Ripper Speedy's review are applicable here as well, such as the inaccurate display for estimated remaining time.

The Truth

Taking everything into account, WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro is overall a well rounded-up application dedicated to ripping DVD content and turning it into various media formats. Those who are not pleased with the program's price may resort to its free edition, as long as they keep in mind that it contains less features.

NOTE: In association with WonderFox Soft, we are giving away an unlimited number of keys for WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro. Normally, one key costs $39.95 / €29.81 (excluding VAT). They have a lifetime availability (applies to free software updates), work on any number of computers, and must be activated before August 31.

All you have to do is access the app's download page to get the file (the key is included in the downloaded archive file).

The deadline for this giveaway promo is Friday, August 8, at 15:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. PDT/PST).

Follow us on Twitter @spgiveaways to find out the latest Softpedia giveaway offers.

UPDATE: Giveaway over.