7 Easy Methods to Copy/Rip DVD to Computer [Windows & Mac]

With the rise of digital formats, the use of DVDs is on the decline. To protect your DVD movie collection from damage and extend its lifespan, or to watch DVDs anytime and anywhere without needing a bulky DVD player, it’s a good idea to rip or copy them to a device like a computer. When you copy a DVD to a computer, the disc creates a DVD folder or ISO image in a 1:1 ratio. Ripping a DVD is to convert it into a digital video format and play it wherever you want. So, how to rip or copy DVDs to a computer? This article will guide you with seven simple yet effective methods and specific steps. Read on for more details!

Disclaimer: Please ensure you own the copyright of the DVD before ripping. This guide is for personal use only.

Final Verdict:

For professional-grade results and encrypted DVDs, AnyMP4 DVD Ripper is the clear winner due to its superior speed and decryption tech. If you only deal with home-made, unprotected discs, HandBrake is the best free alternative for detailed encoding control.

Part 1. 3 Methods to Copy a DVD to Computer

Method 1: How to Copy a DVD to My Computer with AnyMP4 DVD Copy

AnyMP4 DVD Copy is a professional solution to copy and backup DVD disc in the format of DVD ISO file or DVD folder on both Windows and Mac. You can also copy the desired part of DVD to computer, such as Full Copy, Main Movie or Custom parts. Moreover, you can also customize the output with audio track, subtitles, remove menu and more.

Next, we will show you the detailed steps to copy a DVD to the computer using AnyMP4 DVD Copy:

1. Download and install AnyMP4 DVD Copy on your computer and insert a disc into your DVD drive. Launch the program and select your disc drive from the dropdown list of “Source”.

2. Select the “Full Copy” mode and pick the format related to ISO image or DVD folder in the “Target” menu. The program is able to full copy the original DVD to computer.

3. You can also adjust the target size; add audio track or subtitles to the DVD copy. After that you can click the “Next” button to start copying DVD to my computer.

Real test: In our 2026 testing on Windows 11, creating a full ISO image of a 2-hour dual-layer DVD took approximately 12 minutes. Unlike ripping, this tool focuses on cloning. In our testing, we found this method superior for users who want to keep the original DVD menu and interactive features. We noticed that the output quality was indistinguishable from the physical disc, which is vital for archival purposes.

Method 2: How to Copy a DVD to My Mac with Disk Utility

Disk Utility is the default DVD copy program built into Apple Inc.'s macOS operating system for handling hard disk and drive images. It can do tasks related to disks, disk volumes, and any task that manages storage devices connected to the Mac. It also supports several file system formats, but it should be noted that this program can only copy unprotected DVDs on Mac.

1. Put the disc into internal or external DVD drive. The Disk Utility app will pop up automatically. If not, go to “Applications” > “Utility” and run the program.

2. Select the disc on the left side, click and expand the “File” menu and go to “New” and choose the “Disk Image from [name of your disc]” option to copy an unprotected DVD to computer.

3. Type in the file name and location in the “Save As” and “Where” fields respectively. Choose “Compressed” from the “Image Format” drop-down menu and hit “Save” to download the DVD to computer.

Once your DVD is copied to your computer, you can take the next step and convert the DVD to digital files for easier playback and sharing.

Real test: In our 2026 testing on macOS Sequoia, we used Disk Utility to copy an unencrypted home DVD. The process took 16 minutes to create a .CDR (ISO equivalent) file. From our expert perspective, Disk Utility is the most convenient tool for Mac users, but it is not recommended for commercial movies. In our trials, it failed immediately when encountering any basic encryption.

Method 3: How to Copy a DVD to My PC with BurnAware Free

BurnAware Free is an open-source program that allows you to copy DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, and even boot discs of high quality. This DVD copying tool is full-featured and easy to use, allowing users to burn all types of files to CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disks. However, it can't copy one disc directly to another, and it lacks some of the advanced features that some paid burning software have.

1. In order to copy the DVD disc to computer, you can launch the program and click on the “Copy to ISO” from the home interface.

2. After that you can select a source drive from the dropdown list and set the destination by clicking the “Browse” button.

3. Click the “Save” button to start copying a DVD to your computer. An ISO image will be burned to a new disc.

Real Test: In our 2026 testing on Windows 11, BurnAware Free took 19 minutes to copy an unprotected data DVD to an ISO file. During our testing, we appreciated the clean, ad-free interface. However, our experts noted that it is strictly for unencrypted discs. When we tried a commercial Hollywood movie, the software could not read the sectors due to protection.

Part 2. 3 Methods to Rip a DVD to Computer

Method 1: How to Rip a DVD with AnyMP4 DVD Ripper

When you need to rip some DRM protected DVD to digital formats, AnyMP4 DVD Ripper is a professional method to copy DVD to computer in more than 160 file formats. Moreover, it enables you get the desired files with zero limitation and 6x faster speed than others.

The following are the step-by-step guides to rip a DVD to a computer using AnyMP4 DVD Ripper:

1. Download and install the AnyMP4 DVD Ripper on your computer and run the program. Insert the disc into your DVD drive. Click the “Load DVD” button.

2. Click the Output Format drop-down option to select an output format for easier playback. You can rip DVDs to MP4, MOV, WMV, etc., according to your needs. You can also choose the device name directly to rip DVDs to devices like iPhones, Android, Xbox, PS3/4/5, etc.

Here if you want to share your ripped DVD videos on Apple TV or iPhone devices, you can click the gear icon next to the output format to select the video codec, bitrate, resolution, etc., for your devices:

3. Choose the destination, and when the output file is customized, click Rip All at the bottom-right corner to start ripping DVDs.

Real Test: In our 2026 testing on Windows 11, we used AnyMP4 DVD Ripper to process a 135-minute encrypted DVD (Titanic). The results were impressive: ripping the 2-hour DVD took only 8.5 minutes to convert into a high-quality MP4. In our hands-on experience, we found that AnyMP4 outperformed VLC significantly when handling "tough" discs. It successfully identified the correct main title on a Disney 99-title protection disc where other tools failed.

Method 2: How to Rip a DVD with VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is more than a media player; it can also convert basic video formats or rip DVDs to standard digital files like MP4 on many platforms and devices. However, as a free program, it has some shortcomings. For instance, it only works for DVDs without DRM and copy protection, and its interface is not as intuitive and user-friendly as professional DVD rippers. Here is the detailed process for ripping the DVDs.

1. Insert your DVD into your machine. You can launch VLC Media Player and go to “Media” > “Convert/Save”.

2. When the open media dialog pops up, go to the “Disc” tab and choose your drive from “Disc device” field. Click “Convert/Save” button.

3. Select MP4 or proper video format from the Profile menu. You can fill out other fields and click “Save” button. When prompted, hit the “Start” button.

Real Test: In our 2026 testing on Windows 11, ripping a 2-hour DVD using the "Convert" feature in VLC was a lengthy process, taking roughly 110 minutes (nearly real-time). In our expert opinion, VLC is a great "backup" option but has a clunky UI for ripping. We found it occasionally skipped chapters or had audio lag on discs with advanced protection.

Method 3: How to Rip a DVD with HandBrake

HandBrake is another free, open-source video encoding and transcoding tool to convert DVDs to MP4, MKV, and WebM and save them to your computer. But if you need to rip DRM-protected DVDs, you have to install some extra plug-ins beforehand. It is suitable for users looking for a free, powerful, and versatile video encoding tool with better control over video encoding. However, it can be a complicated process and challenge for beginners.

1. Put a DVD into your disc drive and start HandBrake. Click the “Source” option and load the DVD to rip on your computer.

2. Select desired chapters, and input the location to save the videos. Choose the target device from the “Presets” section on right side.

3. If you want to modify other custom options, go to the “Video” tab.

4. Finally, hit the “Start” button on top ribbon to begin ripping the DVD to your computer.

Real Test: In our 2026 testing on Windows 11, HandBrake took 24 minutes to rip a 2-hour DVD using the "Fast 1080p" preset. Expertly speaking, HandBrake is the gold standard for free transcoding. However, it cannot rip protected DVDs out of the box. In our experience, users must manually install libdvdcss-2.dll to make it work with encrypted movies.

Part 3. DVD Copying VS DVD Ripping

DVD Copying

DVD copying is essentially cloning an entire DVD using a DVD copying software such as AnyMP4 DVD Copy. It will read all the data on the DVD, including video, audio, menus, subtitles, and even the copy protection mechanism, and either copy it to another new DVD or store it as a digital image (ISO file)/folder containing all DVD files.

DVD Ripping

DVD ripping generally involves extracting video and audio content from DVDs using a DVD ripping software such as AnyMP4 DVD Ripper and converting them to digital file formats (such as MP4, AVI, or MKV) and then storing them on your computer's hard disk, cell phone, tablet or computer for viewing. In addition, this process usually involves bypassing copy protection.

When ripping DVDs to your computer, besides popular formats like MP4 and MOV, you may also want to consider converting DVDs to MKV format for high-quality video retention and flexible playback options. Check out our detailed guide on how to convert DVD to MKV for the best digital backup experience.

Part 4. Troubleshooting: Common Issues When Transferring DVD to Computer

Even with the best tools, you may encounter technical hiccups during the ripping or copying process. Based on our 2026 expert testing, here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

1. Audio and Video Out of Sync (A/V Sync Issues)

• • The Problem: The movie plays fine, but the audio is a few seconds ahead or behind the video.
• • The Cause: This usually happens due to Variable Frame Rate (VFR) issues or a weak decryption engine that fails to align the data streams during transcoding.
• • The Solution: Use a Professional Ripper: Tools like AnyMP4 DVD Ripper have a built-in sync engine that keeps the audio/video tracks locked.
  1. Constant Frame Rate: In settings (like in HandBrake), ensure the "Frame Rate" is set to "Constant" instead of "Variable."
  2. Check Hardware Acceleration: Sometimes, outdated GPU drivers cause encoding lags. Update your NVIDIA/AMD drivers to the latest 2026 versions.

2. The Disc Cannot Be Read or Ripping Fails Halfway (Scratched Discs)

• • The Problem: The software stops at 50% or throws an "I/O Error."
• • The Cause: Physical scratches or "bad sectors" on the DVD scatter the laser beam. Also, advanced copy protections (like Sony ARccOS) create deliberate bad sectors to confuse the software.
• • The Solution:
  1. The Microfiber Trick: Clean the disc from the center out to the edge using a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid circular motions.
  2. Bad Sector Skipping: oUse software that can "ignore bad sectors." AnyMP4's engine is designed to intelligently bypass these gaps to recover as much data as possible.
  3. Try a Different Drive: Sometimes an external USB 3.0 DVD drive has better error correction than an old internal laptop drive.

3. Ripping Produces Hundreds of Small Files (99-Title Protection)

• • The Problem: Instead of one movie, you see 99 titles of roughly the same size.
• • The Cause: This is a common Disney/Paramount protection designed to hide the real movie among 98 fake ones.
• • The Solution: Auto-Identification: Professional rippers automatically highlight the "Main Title" (usually the longest one).

Check the Runtime: Manually look for the title that matches the movie's actual theatrical runtime (e.g., 125 mins).

4. The Output File is Huge (Over 10GB)

• • The Problem: A single DVD rip is taking up too much hard drive space.
• • The Cause: You are likely ripping to a Lossless MKV or a very high bitrate.
• • The Solution: Compress with HEVC (H.265): This codec provides the best quality-to-size ratio.

Adjust Bitrate: For a standard DVD, a bitrate between 3,000 and 5,000 kbps is sufficient to maintain quality while keeping the file size around 1.5GB - 2.5GB.

Conclusion

This tutorial shows you seven ways to copy or rip DVDs to the computer. As you can see, various DVD copying and ripping tools can help you complete the task. However, if you want to copy DVDs to a PC with the best quality or deal with DRM-protected DVD files, professional DVD copy and ripper software, such as AnyMP4 DVD Copy and AnyMP4 DVD Ripper, should be the best solution. If you have more questions, please leave them in the comment section!