Does unchecking "decrypt video" check box when making backup of 4k UHD disc lose you anything?
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:33 am
When making a backup of a disc a check box appears -- "decrypt video"
"MakeMKV can back up your disc to a directory on a hard drive.
You may choose to save all data from disc as is, without decrypting or changing any files; or decrypt AV files and change related metadata.
In all cases produced backup may be later opened by MakeMKV."
From what I'm reading it would appear you can decrypt it later even without inserting the disc again so when would you want to decrypt vs not decrypt? I ripped a 4k UHD disc with the box unchecked but the disc broke so did I lose anything by not decrypting it when ripping? I appear to be able to export an MKV from a non-decrypted backup that plays in Plex without the disc so I'm confused what am I missing/gaining with this check box?
"MakeMKV can back up your disc to a directory on a hard drive.
You may choose to save all data from disc as is, without decrypting or changing any files; or decrypt AV files and change related metadata.
In all cases produced backup may be later opened by MakeMKV."
From what I'm reading it would appear you can decrypt it later even without inserting the disc again so when would you want to decrypt vs not decrypt? I ripped a 4k UHD disc with the box unchecked but the disc broke so did I lose anything by not decrypting it when ripping? I appear to be able to export an MKV from a non-decrypted backup that plays in Plex without the disc so I'm confused what am I missing/gaining with this check box?