Welcome to Rokoding
Rokoding is devoted to helping people of all skill levels learn how to convert (called encoding) their DVD and Blu-ray movies to digital files. The Roku supports local video playback via the USB port (if your model has one) or through a media server such as PLEX. When it comes to encoding your video, you can't go wrong with Handbrake. It's considered one of the best encoding programs and it's free, but it can have a steep learning curve for many people. The guides on this site will show you how to use Handbrake to encode your DVD and Blu-ray movies for the Roku. The guides take you through the process, step by step and explain what options are of importance to you. When you're done, you will have a video that plays on your Roku as well as Android and Apple devices (results vary by device).
In order to watch your DVD and Blu-ray movies on your Roku, you need to convert them to digital files and then compress them for playback on the Roku and even your phone or tablet. While this is not as simple or as fast as converting a music CD to MP3, it's also not as hard as it seems. You will need a program to convert your physical media to digital files that are usable with Handbrake. I currently use MakeMKV with Handbrake 0.10.0 to encode my movies for playback on the Roku. You will need some space on your hard drive for your files. How much depends on you and how long you would like to keep the original files on your hard drive. I recommend a minimum of 500 gigs of space for file storage, but more is always better.
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I made a few updates to the tuned (Animation & Film) guides today.
- The 1080p and 720p .h264 level has been changed from 4.1 to 4.0. This will allow for better playback compatibility for iPad's and Android tablets.
- I updated subtitle instructions for all 720p guides. Handbrake now resizes PGS subtitles when burning them into the movie.
I have been getting questions about the Roku 4 and what settings to use for encoding video. I don't have one and I have not really researched it yet myself. My assumption from looking at the tech spec's is that the Rokoding guides will work for encoding 1080p (and below) h.264 video for playback on the Roku 4. So, the video's you encoded for your Roku 3 and below should work fine. I have not experimented with h.265 nor do I have access to 2160p or 4320p video. Your 4k TV should upscale the video for you and from I have seen in the stores, they do a pretty good job.