Posted: 12/24/2025 7:46:01 PM EDT
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I need a drive for ripping my old movies so I can store them on a Unifi UNAS Pro. I need an external drive that will work with a MBP M4 Pro or M1 Pro. The only capable windows machine I have belongs to my employer, so that isn't an option. I plan on using a mini PC or older Mac mini to run either Plex or Jellyfin, haven't decided on either yet, but need to start the ripping. Any suggestions on USB-C/Thunderbolt external drives and software to help me move down this rabbit hole? Drive speed isn't much of a concern, I have plenty of time to get this project going. |
Who, What, Where? Call Sign, Snowball
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It's been a while since I finished ripping all of my media but I used this drive for the bulk of it. Handbrake and MakeMKV were the two applications I used. |
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Are you doing this project for the sake of having a project and your own learning or enjoyment? Or are you just wanting a way to get all these converted to digital format for your Plex/Jellyfin? If it's the latter, just download them from the various sites that offer such things (Use a VPN). You already own them and what you're doing is functionally time- or format-shifting, which is legal. When I do rip discs (usually 4K), I have an LG UH12NS40, made in 2018. But it's a 5.25" full-size serial ATA drive. You'd need to get an external case for it, but then would likely work over USB-C/Thunderbolt. As an aside, the UNAS Pro is a great box. I've got six 24 TB enterprise drives in mine and it serves files for my Plex server and more just fine. It's connected to the switch with 10 Gig fiber. I use a MinisForum MS-01 with a 12600H CPU for the Plex server. The iGPU on that is a beast. It transcodes multiple streams with breaking a sweat. |
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Originally Posted By Sartorius: Are you doing this project for the sake of having a project and your own learning or enjoyment? Or are you just wanting a way to get all these converted to digital format for your Plex/Jellyfin? If it's the latter, just download them from the various sites that offer such things (Use a VPN). You already own them and what you're doing is functionally time- or format-shifting, which is legal. When I do rip discs (usually 4K), I have an LG UH12NS40, made in 2018. But it's a 5.25" full-size serial ATA drive. You'd need to get an external case for it, but then would likely work over USB-C/Thunderbolt. As an aside, the UNAS Pro is a great box. I've got six 24 TB enterprise drives in mine and it serves files for my Plex server and more just fine. It's connected to the switch with 10 Gig fiber. I use a MinisForum MS-01 with a 12600H CPU for the Plex server. The iGPU on that is a beast. It transcodes multiple streams with breaking a sweat. 
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Who, What, Where? Call Sign, Snowball
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I ripped all my bluray earlier this year. 280 discs. Get MakeMKV to rip the disk, then Hybrid to re-encode if you want the files smaller. I just use my desktop box to do the work, amd run my Plex server. Storage is simple, just some 6 and 8tb disks in raid1 for now. |
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Originally Posted By JackwagonJim: I ripped all my bluray earlier this year. 280 discs. Get MakeMKV to rip the disk, then Hybrid to re-encode if you want the files smaller. I just use my desktop box to do the work, amd run my Plex server. Storage is simple, just some 6 and 8tb disks in raid1 for now. I am considering picking up a refurb Intel based Lenovo or HP mini PC and using a Win compatible drive but it would still have to be USB based. |
Who, What, Where? Call Sign, Snowball
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Originally Posted By Saker13: I would use a desktop but I haven't had one of those since 2022. I need something USB-C/Thunderbolt and Mac compatible. I am considering picking up a refurb Intel based Lenovo or HP mini PC and using a Win compatible drive but it would still have to be USB based. Originally Posted By Saker13: Originally Posted By JackwagonJim: I ripped all my bluray earlier this year. 280 discs. Get MakeMKV to rip the disk, then Hybrid to re-encode if you want the files smaller. I just use my desktop box to do the work, amd run my Plex server. Storage is simple, just some 6 and 8tb disks in raid1 for now. I am considering picking up a refurb Intel based Lenovo or HP mini PC and using a Win compatible drive but it would still have to be USB based. Have you thought about setting up a NAS to use as a media server and back up drive for your computer? I have a Mac Mini and I use MakeMkv to rip movies then store them on the NAS. I use Emby for my media server. |
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Originally Posted By ScubaDachshund: Have you thought about setting up a NAS to use as a media server and back up drive for your computer? I have a Mac Mini and I use MakeMkv to rip movies then store them on the NAS. I use Emby for my media server. The UNVR NAS will hold the movie files, it has about 10 TB of space free now on a RAID 5, 3X 8TB setup and room to add 4 more drives. Either more 8TBs or start a new pool with another size. A Mac mini or mini PC will hold Plex, Jellyfin, or whatever I pick. |
Who, What, Where? Call Sign, Snowball