3 Easy Ways to Copy a Video DVD on Mac * macrodroid.com

Copy a Video DVD on Mac

Copying a DVD to your Mac can be a quick and easy way to preserve your favorite movies, TV shows, or other video content. Fortunately, macOS includes a built-in utility called “DVD Player” that makes the process incredibly straightforward.

To begin, insert the DVD you want to copy into your Mac’s optical drive. Once the disc is recognized, DVD Player should launch automatically. If it doesn’t, you can manually open the application by clicking on the Launchpad icon in your dock and searching for “DVD Player.” Once DVD Player is open, click on the “File” menu and select “Copy Disc.” A new window will appear, giving you the option to choose where you want to save the copied video files.

Next, select the destination folder where you want to save the copied video files. You can choose any folder on your Mac’s hard drive, or you can even create a new folder specifically for the purpose. Once you have selected the destination folder, click on the “Copy” button to start the copying process. The time it takes to copy the DVD will vary depending on the size of the disc and the speed of your Mac’s optical drive. Once the copying process is complete, you will be able to find the copied video files in the destination folder you selected.

Gather Necessary Materials

Before embarking on the process of copying a video DVD on Mac, it is essential to gather the necessary materials to ensure a smooth and successful operation. Here’s a comprehensive list of everything you’ll need:

Computer and Software

You’ll need a Mac computer with a DVD drive. If your Mac doesn’t have a built-in DVD drive, you can use an external USB DVD drive. Secondly, you’ll need a video copying software such as HandBrake, DVD Ripper, or MakeMKV. These software programs are specifically designed to copy and convert video DVDs into various digital formats.

DVDs

Obviously, you’ll need the DVD that you want to copy. Make sure that the DVD is clean and free of any scratches or damage. If the DVD is damaged, it may not be possible to copy it successfully.

Blank DVDs

If you intend to create a physical copy of the DVD, you’ll need blank DVDs. Choose high-quality DVDs that are compatible with your DVD burner and the type of DVD you’re copying (DVD-R, DVD+R, etc.).

Other Materials

Additionally, you may need a few additional materials depending on your specific situation:

Item	Description
USB drive	For transferring the copied DVD files to another computer or storage device.
External hard drive	Optional for storing large video files if needed.
DVD case	To protect and organize your copied DVDs.

Insert the DVD into Your Mac

When you buy a DVD, you are not buying the movie itself, but rather the rental rights for the movie. This means that you can only make one copy of the movie for personal use.

To insert the DVD into your Mac, first locate the DVD drive on your computer. It is usually located on the side of the computer, and it will have a small, round hole in it. Once you have found the DVD drive, insert the DVD into the hole. The DVD will be automatically ejected from the computer when it is finished playing.

What to do if your Mac doesn’t have a DVD drive

If your Mac doesn’t have a DVD drive, you can still copy DVDs using an external DVD drive. External DVD drives are available for purchase at most electronics stores. Once you have an external DVD drive, connect it to your Mac using a USB cable. The external DVD drive will then appear on your Mac’s desktop. You can then insert the DVD into the external DVD drive and copy the files to your Mac’s hard drive.

Mac model	DVD drive location
iMac	On the right side of the computer
MacBook Pro	On the left side of the computer
MacBook Air	No DVD drive

Open Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a built-in application on Mac that allows you to manage and repair your storage devices. It can also be used to copy DVDs.

3. Insert DVD and Select Destination

Insert the DVD you want to copy into your Mac’s DVD drive. Disk Utility will automatically detect the DVD and display it in the left sidebar.

Select the DVD in the sidebar, then click on the “New Image” button in the toolbar. A dialog box will appear.

In the dialog box, select “DVD/CD Master” as the image format. This will create a disk image file that contains an exact copy of the DVD’s contents.

Choose a destination for the disk image file. You can save it to your hard drive, an external drive, or a network share.

Click on the “Save” button to start copying the DVD. The copying process may take some time, depending on the size of the DVD.

Once the copying process is complete, you will have a disk image file that contains an exact copy of the DVD. You can now use the disk image file to burn a new DVD or access the DVD’s contents on your Mac.

Select the DVD and Click “Burn”

Once you have inserted the DVD into your Mac, open the Finder and navigate to the DVD’s icon. Right-click on the icon and select “Copy DVD”. A dialog box will appear, asking you to select the destination for the copy. Choose a location on your Mac’s hard drive and click “Copy”.
The copying process will begin, and a progress bar will appear. The time it takes to copy the DVD will vary depending on the size of the DVD. Once the copying process is complete, you will have a copy of the DVD on your Mac’s hard drive.

Burning the Copy

To burn the copy to a new DVD, open the Disk Utility application on your Mac. Drag and drop the copied DVD image file onto the Disk Utility window. In the Disk Utility sidebar, select the DVD image file. Then, click on the “Burn” button in the Disk Utility toolbar.
A dialog box will appear, asking you to select the destination for the burned DVD. Choose a blank DVD that is inserted into your Mac’s DVD drive and click “Burn”.
The burning process will begin, and a progress bar will appear. The time it takes to burn the DVD will vary depending on the size of the DVD. Once the burning process is complete, you will have a copy of the original DVD on a new DVD.

Tips for Copying and Burning DVDs

Here are a few tips for copying and burning DVDs:

Use a high-quality DVD burner to ensure that your DVDs are burned correctly.
Make sure that the DVD you are copying is clean and free of scratches.
Use a DVD burning software program that is compatible with your Mac.
Follow the instructions that came with your DVD burner and DVD burning software program.

DVD Copy Option	Description
Burn Folder to Disc	Creates a data DVD that can be used to store files and folders.
Burn Image to Disc	Creates a DVD from an ISO image file.
Copy Disc	Creates a copy of an existing DVD.

Choose a Destination and Start the Process

Once you’ve selected your source DVD and confirmed its presence, you need to designate a specific folder as the destination for the copied video files. Here are the detailed steps to do this:

Click the “Destination” button: The first step is to locate and click the “Destination” button on the DVD Copy interface. This button will open a file browser that allows you to select the destination folder.
Navigate to the desired folder: Use the directory tree on the left-hand side of the file browser to navigate to the folder where you want to save the copied video files. You can create a new folder by clicking the “New Folder” button or select an existing one.
Select the destination folder: Once you have found the desired destination folder, simply click on it to select it. The path to the selected folder will be displayed in the text field next to the “Destination” button.
Confirm your selection: After selecting the destination folder, click the “OK” button to confirm your selection and close the file browser.
Start the copy process: Once you have selected the destination folder, you can start the DVD copying process by clicking the “Start” button. The DVD copy software will begin copying the video files from the source DVD to the designated destination folder.

Troubleshoot Common Issues

Error: “The file is not a valid DVD”

Ensure the DVD is inserted correctly into the drive. Try a different DVD to rule out a disc issue.

Error: “无法访问该文件”

Verify you have read and write permissions for the destination folder. Close any programs that may be accessing the DVD or destination folder.

Error: “空间不足”

Check the available storage space on your Mac. The copied DVD will require a significant amount of space (typically around 4.7GB for a standard DVD).

Error: “无法刻录”

Ensure the writable DVD is inserted and recognized by the drive. Check the drive specifications to ensure it supports DVD burning.

Error: “出现未知错误”

Restart your Mac and try again. If the issue persists, try using a different DVD burning software or contact Apple Support.

Error: “复制过程缓慢”

DVD copying can be a time-consuming process. The speed depends on the DVD size, the computer’s processing power, and the drive’s performance. Be patient and avoid interrupting the process.

Verify the Copy

To ensure that the copied DVD is an accurate duplicate of the original, it is crucial to verify its quality. Here are some steps to do so:

1. Inspect the Physical Appearance

Examine the copied DVD for any physical damage or scratches. These imperfections can affect the playback and readability of the DVD.

2. Play the Original and Copy Simultaneously

Insert both the original and copied DVDs into separate DVD players and play them simultaneously. Compare the audio, video, and any interactive features to identify any discrepancies. This method allows you to detect any subtle differences in quality.

3. Use a Video Comparison Tool

If desired, you can utilize specialized video comparison software to analyze the original and copied DVDs frame by frame. This provides a detailed comparison of the content and ensures that the copy is an exact match.

4. Check the DVD Structure

Insert the copied DVD into a computer and inspect its file structure using a DVD player software or file explorer. Verify that all the folders and files are present and organized in the same manner as the original DVD.

5. Test Playback on Different Devices

Play the copied DVD on multiple DVD players, including standalone players, computers, and portable devices. This helps ensure that the DVD is compatible with a wide range of playback hardware.

6. Check for Audio and Video Quality

Pay attention to the audio and video quality during playback. Ensure that there are no glitches, skips, or distortions. Compare the quality to the original DVD to identify any differences.

7. Verify the Interactivity and Special Features

If the original DVD contains any interactive features or special content, such as menus, bonus videos, or games, check if they function properly on the copied DVD. Make sure that the navigation and user experience are consistent with the original.

Eject the Burned DVD

After the burning process is complete, the DVD will be ejected automatically. If it doesn’t eject, you can manually eject it by clicking the eject button on your Mac’s keyboard or by pressing the eject button on your external DVD drive.

If you’re using a MacBook without an optical drive, you can use an external DVD drive to burn and eject DVDs. External DVD drives are available for purchase at most electronics stores.

Here’s how to manually eject a DVD using your Mac’s keyboard

Press the Command (⌘) key and the E key at the same time.
In the Finder sidebar, select the DVD you want to eject.
Click the Eject button in the Finder toolbar.

Here’s how to manually eject a DVD using the eject button on your external DVD drive:

Locate the eject button on your external DVD drive.
Press the eject button.
The DVD will be ejected.

Mac Keyboard Shortcut	Action
Command (⌘) + E	Eject the selected DVD

Store the Copy Safely

Once you have successfully copied your DVD to your Mac, it’s important to store the copy safely to prevent damage or loss.

Here are some tips for storing your DVD copy safely:

1. Choose a safe storage location. Store your DVD copy in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Avoid storing your DVD in places where it could be exposed to moisture or dust.
2. Use a protective case. Store your DVD copy in a protective case to prevent scratches and other damage. You can purchase DVD cases at most office supply stores or online.
3. Back up your DVD copy. It’s a good idea to back up your DVD copy to a hard drive or cloud storage service in case the original copy is lost or damaged.
4. Label your DVD copy. Label your DVD copy with the title of the movie or TV show and the date you copied it. This will help you keep track of your DVD copies and easily find the one you want to watch.
5. Handle your DVD copy with care. When handling your DVD copy, be sure to hold it by the edges and avoid touching the surface of the disc.
6. Clean your DVD copy regularly. To keep your DVD copy in good condition, clean it regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth.
7. Avoid using harsh chemicals. Do not use harsh chemicals or cleaners to clean your DVD copy. This could damage the disc.
8. Store your DVD copy upright. Store your DVD copy upright in a vertical position. This will help prevent the disc from warping.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your DVD copy will last for many years to come.

Use a DVD Copying Software

There are various DVD copying software available for Macs, such as Burn, Express Burn, and DVD Cloner. These programs offer a user-friendly interface and provide step-by-step instructions for copying DVDs.

Insert the DVD into the Mac’s Drive

Locate the DVD drive on your Mac and insert the DVD you want to copy. The Finder will open and display the DVD’s contents.

Choose the Copy Mode

Select the “Copy” or “Burn” option from the software’s menu. The software will provide various copy modes, such as “Copy DVD to DVD,” “Copy DVD to ISO Image,” or “Copy DVD to Video File.” Choose the mode that suits your needs.

Select the Output Destination

Specify the destination for the copied DVD. You can choose to burn the DVD to a blank DVD disc, save it as an ISO image file on your Mac’s hard drive, or convert it to a video file format like MP4 or MOV.

Adjust the Copy Settings

Some DVD copying software allows you to adjust copy settings such as video quality, audio format, and compression level. These settings can impact the size and quality of the copied DVD.

Start the Copy Process

Click the “Start” or “Copy” button to initiate the DVD copying process. The software will display a progress bar indicating the copy’s status.

Finalize the DVD

Once the copy process is complete, the copied DVD will be ejected from the drive. If you chose to burn the DVD to a blank disc, it may require finalizing to ensure compatibility with DVD players.

Verify the Copied DVD

To ensure that the copied DVD is functional, insert it into a DVD player and play it. Check for any errors or inconsistencies between the original and copied DVDs.

Eject the DVD

When finished, eject the copied DVD from the drive. You can now store the copied DVD or distribute it as needed.

Bonus Tip: Create a DVD Folder

Instead of burning a physical DVD, you can also create a DVD folder on your Mac’s hard drive. This allows you to store the DVD’s contents digitally and access them when needed. To create a DVD folder:

Open Terminal.
Enter the following command: “hdiutil create -ov -type DVDROM -fs HFS+ ”
Drag and drop the DVD’s contents into the created DVD folder.
Close Terminal.

How to Copy a Video DVD on Mac

To copy a video DVD on a Mac, you will need the following:

A DVD drive
A DVD burning application
A blank DVD

Once you have all of the necessary equipment, you can follow these steps to copy a video DVD on a Mac:

Insert the DVD you want to copy into your DVD drive.
Open your DVD burning application. Some popular DVD burning applications include Toast, Burn, and Disk Utility.
Select the “Copy” or “Burn” option. This option will typically be located in the main menu of the DVD burning application.
Choose the destination folder for the copied DVD. This folder can be located on your hard drive, an external hard drive, or a USB drive.
Start the copying process. This process can take several minutes to complete, depending on the size of the DVD.

Once the copying process is complete, you can eject the DVD from your DVD drive and label it for easy identification. You can now play the copied DVD on any DVD player.