How to Copy a DVD to Another DVD

The basic process: what you need and how it works

Copying a DVD to another DVD requires three things: a computer with a DVD drive that can both read and write, DVD copying software, and blank DVDs. The process has two steps — first you rip the DVD (read its contents onto your computer's hard drive), then you burn those contents to a blank disc. Most of this happens automatically once you choose your source disc and destination.

The reason this takes two steps instead of one is that most DVD drives cannot read from one disc and write to another at the same time, even if your computer has two drives. Ripping to your hard drive as an intermediate step is faster and more reliable than trying to copy directly between discs.

Before you start, check that your blank DVDs match the type of disc you're copying. A DVD-Video (the kind you watch in a player) goes to a blank DVD-R or DVD+R. A DVD-ROM (data disc) can go to either type as well. The blank disc should have enough space — a standard DVD holds about 4.7 gigabytes, which is enough for most movies.

Key Takeaways

You need a computer with a DVD drive that can write (burn), blank DVDs, and software like HandBrake, MakeMKV, or Nero to do the copying.
The process works in two stages: ripping the DVD to your hard drive first, then burning the files to a blank disc.
Blank DVD-R and DVD+R discs work for most copying tasks, and you should check that your blank discs have enough space for the content.
Some DVDs have copy protection that requires additional software or tools to read, and the legality of removing that protection varies by location.
The whole process typically takes 30 minutes to an hour per disc, depending on your computer's speed and the software you use.

Understanding copy protection and what you can legally do

Most commercial DVDs include copy protection called CSS (Content Scramble System). This encryption prevents standard software from reading the disc. Whether you can remove it depends on where you live. In the United States, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes circumventing CSS illegal in most cases, even for personal backups of discs you own. Other countries have different rules — some allow personal copying, others do not.

Before you proceed, research the laws in your location. If you own the DVD and want to make a backup for personal use, check whether your country or state permits this. If you're copying a disc you don't own, or if the law in your area prohibits removing copy protection, you should not use the methods described below.

If copy protection is legal to remove where you are, you will need software that can handle CSS. HandBrake, a free open-source program, can read some protected DVDs on macOS and Linux, but not on Windows due to legal restrictions in the US. MakeMKV is another option that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, though it is not free after a trial period. Nero, a commercial program, also handles protected discs on Windows.

Step-by-step: ripping the DVD to your computer

Start by inserting the DVD you want to copy into your computer's drive. Open your chosen software — for this example, we'll use HandBrake, which is free and widely available. Click the "Open Source" button and select your DVD drive from the list. HandBrake will read the disc and show you the titles it contains.

Most DVDs have one main title (the movie itself) and several others (trailers, menus, bonus features). Select the title you want to copy. HandBrake will show you the file size and duration, so you can confirm you've picked the right one. Choose your output format — MP4 or MKV are common choices that work on most computers and some DVD players. Set the output location to a folder on your hard drive where you have enough free space.

Click "Start Encode" and let the software run. This can take 20 to 40 minutes depending on your computer's processor and the length of the video. Once it finishes, you'll have a video file on your hard drive that you can play, edit, or burn to a disc.

Burning the file to a blank DVD

Once you have the video file on your computer, you need to burn it to a blank DVD. If you ripped to an MP4 file, you'll need to convert it back to a DVD-Video format first — most burning software can do this automatically. If you ripped to an MKV file, you may need to convert it to MPEG-2 video format before burning.

Insert a blank DVD into your drive. Open your burning software — common options include Nero, ImgBurn (free), or the built-in burning tools in Windows (right-click the file and select "Burn to disc"). Select your video file and choose the blank DVD as the destination. The software will ask whether you want to create a DVD-Video (playable in a standard DVD player) or a data disc (playable on computers). Choose DVD-Video if you want to watch it on a TV.

Click "Burn" and wait for the process to complete. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Once finished, eject the disc and test it in a DVD player to make sure it works. If it doesn't play, the blank disc may have been defective, or the burning process may have failed — try again with a different blank disc.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the software won't read your DVD, the disc may be dirty or damaged. Clean it gently with a soft cloth, wiping from the center outward (not in circles). If it still won't read, try a different DVD drive if you have access to one. Some older or damaged discs simply cannot be read reliably.

If the ripping process is very slow, your computer may be struggling. Close other programs to free up processing power. If it's still slow, your hard drive may be nearly full — check your available space and delete files if needed. A full hard drive can slow down the ripping process significantly.

If the burned disc won't play in a DVD player, the problem is usually one of three things: the blank disc was defective, the burning software didn't complete the process correctly, or the DVD player is very old and doesn't recognize the type of blank disc you used. Try burning to a different brand of blank DVD, or test the disc on a different player. If it plays on your computer but not on a TV player, the issue is likely a compatibility problem between the player and the disc type.

When to use different software for different situations

HandBrake is the best choice if you want free software and don't need to handle copy-protected discs on Windows. It produces high-quality output and works on Mac, Linux, and Windows. The trade-off is that on Windows it cannot read CSS-protected discs.

MakeMKV is better if you need to copy protected DVDs on Windows and don't mind paying after the trial period ends. It's faster than HandBrake at ripping and handles copy protection reliably. The output is an MKV file, which you'll need to convert before burning to a standard DVD.

Nero is a commercial option that bundles ripping and burning in one program, so you don't need separate software for each step. It's more expensive than MakeMKV but handles both protected and unprotected discs, and the burning tools are integrated. If you plan to copy many DVDs, the convenience may be worth the cost.

For burning only, ImgBurn is free and reliable. If you already have a video file and just need to burn it to a disc, ImgBurn is simpler than the full suites and does the job well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a DVD to a USB drive instead of another DVD?

Yes. After ripping the DVD to your computer, you can copy the video file directly to a USB drive instead of burning it to a disc. Most modern USB drives have enough space for a full movie. The file will play on any computer, but not on a standard DVD player connected to a TV unless the player specifically supports USB playback.

What's the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R blank discs?

Both work for copying DVDs, and most modern DVD players accept both types. DVD-R is slightly older and more widely compatible with older players. DVD+R is newer. For practical purposes, either works — buy whichever is cheaper or more available in your area. Avoid DVD-RW (rewritable) discs unless you plan to erase and reuse them, as they're slower to burn and less reliable for long-term storage.

How long does it take to copy a full DVD?

Ripping usually takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your computer's speed. Burning takes another 10 to 20 minutes. The total is typically 30 minutes to an hour per disc. Older computers or slower hard drives may take longer.

Will the copied DVD look exactly like the original?

The video quality depends on the settings you choose when ripping. If you use the default settings in HandBrake or MakeMKV, the quality will be very close to the original, though slightly compressed to fit on a standard DVD. If you want to preserve the absolute highest quality, you can increase the bitrate settings, but this may require a dual-layer blank DVD (8.5 GB instead of 4.7 GB) and will take longer to burn.

What if my computer doesn't have a DVD drive?

You can buy an external USB DVD drive for $20 to $50. It connects to your computer via USB and works with the same software. External drives are useful if you have a laptop or newer desktop without a built-in drive, and they're portable if you need to copy discs on different computers.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.