How to Copy a DVD Onto a Computer

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parts

1Installing HandBrake

2Installing Libdvdcss

3Copying the DVD

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Article Summary

This How.com.vn teaches you how to copy the contents of a DVD to Windows or macOS using a free app called HandBrake. If the DVD contains copy-protected data (such as a store-bought movie or television series), you'll need to install a file called Libdvdcss to decrypt the decrypt protected data.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Installing HandBrake

1. 
   1
   Go to https://handbrake.fr/ in a web browser. HandBrake is a free app that allows you to copy the content from a DVD to your computer.
2. 
   2
   Click Download HandBrake 1.2.2. It's the red button on the page. This downloads the HandBrake install file on Windows.

   • If you're using Mac or Linux, click Other Platforms below the "Download HandBrake" button on the main page, and then click the Download link for your operating system.
3. 
   3
   Double-click the install file and follow the instructions. You'll usually find it in the "Downloads folder. On Windows, the file is called HandBrake-1.2.2-x86_64-Win_GUI.exe or something similar. On Mac, the file is called HandBrake-1.1.2.dmg"'.

   • On a Mac, you may need to adjust your Security & Privacy settings to install unverified apps from the internet.
4. 
   4
   Click Next (Windows only). When you see the Welcome window of the installer, click Next in the lower-right corner of the Window to continue.

   • On Mac, clicking the install file creates a folder with the HandBrake app. You can open the HandBrake app from that folder, or you can drag and drop the app into your Applications folder in the Finder.
5. 
   5
   Click Next again (Windows only). This indicates that you agree to the License Agreement.
6. 
   6
   Click Install (Windows only). This installs HandBrake.
7. 
   7
   Click Finish. This closes the HandBrake install Wizard.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Installing Libdvdcss

Windows

1. 
   1
   Go to https://github.com/allienx/libdvdcss-dll/tree/master/1.4.2. This is the link to download the latest version of Libdvdcss.dll, which is a file that helps HandBrake decrypt copy-protected content from DVDs. You'll need this file if the DVD you're copying is a movie, TV show, or virtually any other type of DVD you'd find in a store.
2. 
   2
   Click 32-bit or 64-bit. Depending on which version of Windows you are running, click the version of the file that fits your version of Windows.
3. 
   3
   Locate the "libdvdcss-2.dll" file. By default, downloaded files can be found in your "Downloads" folder. If you see the file in your web browser, you can also right-click it and click Show in Folder.
4. 
   4
   Right-click "libdvdcss-2.dll" and click Cut. This removes the file from your "Downloads" folder and copies it to your clipboard so you can paste it in another location.
5. 
   5
   Open Windows Explorer

   

   . You can do this by pressing ⊞ Win+E or by clicking its icon in the Start menu.
6. 
   6
   Click your local hard drive. This drive, usually called "C:", should be found in the left panel under "This PC."

   • The C: drive may have a different name on different computers. Sometimes it's called "Local Disk", or the name of your computer.
7. 
   7
   Click the Program Files folder. It's in the local "C:" drive.
8. 
   8
   Click the HandBrake folder. It's in the "Program Files" folder on your local "C:" drive. This is where HandBrake is installed.
9. 
   9
   Right-click a blank space in the folder. A menu will expand.
10. 
    10
    Click Paste. This pastes the "libdvdcss-2.dll" file in your HandBrake folder.
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macOS

1. 
   1
   Go to http://download.videolan.org/libdvdcss/1.4.2/macosx/. This is the link to download the latest version of Libdvdcss.dll, which is a file that helps HandBrake decrypt copy-protected content from DVDs. You'll need this file if the DVD you're copying is a movie, TV show, or virtually any other type of DVD you'd find in a store.
2. 
   2
   Click libdvdcss-1.4.2.pkg. This contains the install file for the latest version of libdvdcss.dll for Mac.

   • You may need to adjust your Security & Privacy settings to install unverified files and apps from the internet.
3. 
   3
   Click Continue. It's in the lower-right corner of the install dialogue box.
4. 
   4
   Click Install. It's in the lower-right corner of the install dialogue box.

   • If you want to change your install location, click Change Install Location and select a new location.
5. 
   5
   Enter your password and click Install Software. Use your Mac login password. This copies the file to the correct folder.

   • Click Close when prompted to close the installer.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Copying the DVD

1. 
   1
   Insert a DVD into your DVD drive.
2. 
   2
   Open HandBrake. It has an icon that resembles a cocktail glass next to a pineapple. You can open HandBrake in the Windows Start menu, or in the Applications folder on a Mac.
3. 
   3
   Select your DVD drive. It's in the source menu in the sidebar to the left.

   • If the Source menu doesn't open automatically, click Source in the upper-right corner.
4. 
   4
   Choose a chapter. Use the drop-down menu next to "Title" to select a chapter to copy. If you are copying a movie, select the longest chapter. If you are copying a TV show, select an individual chapter.
5. 
   5
   Click Browse. It's next to the bar at the top of the screen. This opens a file browser you can use to select a save location and give the file a name.
6. 
   6
   Select a save location. Use the file browser to select a folder or location for the DVD file to copy to.
7. 
   7
   Type a name for the video. File type the name of the movie or TV show in the bar next to "File Name."
8. 
   8
   Click Save. This saves the file and location.
9. 
   9
   Select a preset. Choose Normal or High Profile to optimize the video for your computer.

   • You can also select a specific device, such as an iPhone, from the list of presets.
10. 
    10
    Click Start. It's in the upper-right corner near the "Source" button. This starts copying the DVD. It may take a while for the video finish encoding.
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