

Netflix’s DVD rental business began in 1998, long before the rise of streaming services. Co-founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, Netflix initially offered a unique alternative to traditional video rental stores like Blockbuster. For a flat monthly fee, customers could rent DVDs by mail, with no late fees and the convenience of keeping the discs for as long as they wanted. The red envelopes, which contained the DVDs, quickly became synonymous with Netflix’s brand.
At its peak, Netflix’s DVD rental service boasted millions of subscribers and a massive catalog of titles, ranging from the latest blockbusters to obscure indie films. It provided movie lovers with unprecedented access to films that were often unavailable in local video rental stores. But we can convert Blu-ray to mp4 or other formats to better collect our precious collection. I have tried MakeMKV and Handbrake (such those open source software), but they cannot rip blu-ray by themself.
Netflix’s decision to shut down its DVD service marks the end of an era for the DVD industry, signaling a major shift toward digital streaming as the dominant mode of entertainment consumption. This move will likely accelerate the decline of physical media, as fewer consumers rely on DVDs for their viewing needs. However, it also opens up opportunities for DVD to MP4 conversion services, as many users may want to digitize their existing DVD collections for easier access and storage on modern devices. With the right tools or software, converting DVDs to MP4 can preserve personal libraries while adapting to the digital-first landscape. This transition underscores the importance of staying flexible in a rapidly evolving media environment.