How to Convert DVD Disc to Digital File with High Quality

DVD is fading away with the emerge of streaming services and the removal of DVD drives from computers and game consoles. TV binge-watchers and movie fans have shifted from in-home DVD player & TV combo to on-the-go mobiles. How can you handle your overstocked DVD discs, prolong their lifespan and prevent them from gathering dust?

You can convert DVD to digital file to give your DVD a second life.

By digitizing DVD collections to MP4, H.264, AVI, or other universally compatible file formats, you will no longer wrestle with finicky DVD players, worry about region restrictions, or fiddle with TV settings. Instead you'll have easy access to digital movies on hard drive anywhere anytime without the hassle of carrying piles of discs, watch your movies on Xbox One S, iPhone, Android, PC/Mac, and save a digital copy in case the precious discs get damaged.

How do you convert DVDs to digital files? Here we'll introduce the best DVD to digital converter software that can convert your home movie DVDs and store-bought DVDs to high-quality digital copies for use on various devices. Additionally, we'll cover popular DVD to digital services if you don't want to digitize DVDs on your own.

Quick Glance at the DVD to Digital Converter Software/Service

Method 1. Convert DVDs to Digital Files th WinX DVD Ripper

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is a comprehensive DVD to digital converter that is ideal for users with a large DVD collections who seek for a fast and cost-effective solution to convert copy-protected DVDs to digital MP4, ISO, MOV, AVI, etc on Windows or Mac.

One of its standout features is its ability to digitize almost all DVDs regardless of the encryption or release date. So you can digitize any protected DVDs you throw at it, without being limited to the library like Vudu. Furthermore, it gets monthly upgrades to support the latest DVD encryptions that 95% of the tools on the market fail to handle. The Safe Mode is a proven option to not only eliminate any converting problem like No valid title found but also avoid any quality errors like dropped frame rates, video/audio out of sync, blocky image, etc.

Thanks to the multi-core CPU, Hyper-Threading tech and advanced Level-3 Hardware Acceleration tech based on Intel QSV, NVIDIA (CUDA) NVENC and AMD, it has the fastest DVD to digital converting speed. In our tests on a Windows 10 (64-bit) PC with an Intel Core i7-8700K CPU, it took just 8 minutes and 45 seconds to rip a 2.5-hour disc.

Free Download WinX DVD Ripper Platinum to Convert DVD to Digital Videos

How to Convert DVD to Digital with WinX DVD Ripper?

DVD digitizing requires clicks only. Even none tech-savvy users can do it fast and easily. Now let's get started to convert DVD disc to digital file in MP4, H.264, HEVC, ISO, and more formats for storing/playing on hard drives, iPhone, iPad, Android mobiles, Plex, NAS, etc. To begin with, download and install this DVD to digital converter on PC (Windows 11, Windows 10 or earlier) or Mac.

Step 1. Load the source DVD disc you want to convert to digital.

Insert the target DVD into your DVD drive, and then click "DVD Disc" button to load the movie DVD. This software will automatically bypass DVD region codes, remove any DVD copy protections, and auto check the right movie title even the tricky Disney DVDs. Of course, you can select title manually.

Unlike VUDU, which charges per conversion, WinX DVD Ripper offers both one-year subscription and lifetime license. During the eligible period, users can load and convert as many DVDs as they like without any additional costs.

Step 2. Choose file format for the output digital copy.

In the pop-up output profile window, you can see all popular formats devices divided into various categories. You can choose any digital video format based on your own needs.

Which is the best format for DVD disc to digital?

• To save a digital copy of DVDs on the computer, you can backup DVD disc to MP4, AVI, WMV, etc;
• To play DVD movie on Apple devices, choose to digitize DVD to MP4, MOV, M4V, or corresponding device profile;
• To watch DVDs on Android/Xbox/PS4, convert DVD to MP4, H.264, 3GP, WebM, MKV;
• To copy DVD with all intact DVD videos/audios/subtitles, copy DVD to ISO files or VIDEO_TS folder;
• To convert DVD to digital copy freely for Windows Media Player or other Windows-oriented platforms, you can select AVI or MP4;
• To have the perfect balance between size and quality, select H.264 MP4.

The most commonly-used DVD movie digital format is MP4, owing to its wide compatibility, good compression and excellent quality. So here we take DVD to MP4 as an example. Click under the directory: General Profiles - MP4 Video. Then click "OK".

Step 3. Start the DVD to digital conversion.

Click "Browse" to set a folder to store the digital copy extracted from your DVD, and click "RUN" to begin converting DVD to digital copy. The hardware acceleration will speed up the digitizing and finish the task in minutes (its fast speed is the ideal choice for digitizing a large DVD library).

You'll get a progress window, as shown below.

Once done, you can see the digital file in the destination folder you set before.

If you meet problems in the DVD conversion, choose 'Safe Mode' to rip any DVD smoothly.

Tips: Before making a digital copy of DVD movie, you can click the Settings icon to adjust the video/audio settings, for instance,bit rate,  aspect ratio, frame rate, sample rate, etc. You can also click "Edit" to add subtitles, adjust the volume, crop & expand the video to remove black bars, trim the video to get the favorite clips.

Video Tutorial to Turn DVD into Digital File with High Quality

Method 2. Use Disc to Digital Service - VUDU

VUDU is a good choice for users who possess a small collection of DVDs and wish to convert them into digital files without the need for a DVD drive. Now Vudu's name has been changed to Fandango at Home. However, it won't impact the way you use Vudu.

With VUDU's disc to digital service, you can use your mobile device to scan the UPC barcode on your disc to get a digital copy. No need to open your computer. No need to install a DVD to digital converter software. VUDU can save you a lot of effort. Moreover, it allows you to convert your DVDs to HDX quality (1080p), although it is a bit pricey. But for some users, the expense may be worth it.

However, it's important to note that VUDU has region limitations and is exclusively available in the US and Mexico. If you have a substantial DVD collection, the costs can quickly add up. VUDU charges $2 (DVD to SD) / $5 (DVD to HDX) for each conversion, with a cap on the maximum number of conversions per year. Users are restricted to converting 100 DVDs annually. For instance, if you have 500 DVDs to convert, it would amount to $1000 for DVD to SD and $2500 for DVD to HDX, and completing all conversions would take 5 years.

Pros:

• Process DVD to digital right from your mobile.
• There is no need for a DVD drive.

Cons:

• It costs much if you have a large DVD collection.
• It sets limit on maximum conversions per year.
• It is only available in US and Mexico.
• Not all DVDs are supported to convert.

How to convert DVD to digital on Android/iPhone with VUDU?

Before you use this service, you'd better type the name of your movie in Vudu.com's search bar to see if your movie is available for conversion.

Step 1. Visit vudu.com/disc on your Android or iPhone, scroll down and tap the Convert Disc button.

Step 2. Sign up if you don't have an account. And then, sign in.

Step 3. Allow app permissions.

Vudu will request permission to access your location data to ensure the billing address associated with your account matches your phone's location. The aim is to prevent misuse of the service, like scanning random DVDs you find outside your home.

Step 4. Scan the UPC barcode on your DVD case.

Step 5. Select output quality, SD or HDX.

Step 6. Pay for the DVD to digital conversion (DVD to SD: $2 per disc; DVD to HDX: $5 per disc), and then the movies will be available in your Vudu account.

VUDU's DVD Disc to Digital services sound good, but there are a few caveats you should know.

• Another $2-$5 required each disc to video copy. Think if you have a large DVD library of thousands of titles.
• Can't convert all DVDs into digital. First, only DVDs from partnering studios are compatible with D2D. E.g., you can't convert Disney DVDs to digital files with Vudu. Second, D2D services don't "convert" discs, it provides a digital copy instead if it's in their library. That means you can't convert any homemade DVDs.
• No control on the output quality. Sometimes there is SD version available only and you can't do anything to improve the quality.
• No physical ownership. Some services allow you to download the converted DVD video for viewing offline, but you don't really own it. When you cancel the membership, you lose the movies.
• Data Throttling. Online DVD to digital converter services provide digital files via the internet connection, which can be capped soon.
• Region limitations. The major D2D services are open to the US only. Other regions can't take advantage of them.
• Intricate errors. The process can be fraught with issues that are difficult to deal with, for example, can't find any titles in the cart, location doesn't match billing address, can't read barcode, operation timeout, etc.
• 100 limit. You are only allowed to convert 100 DVDs per year.

Check Vudu disc to digital limits full review >>

In a word, disc to digital services are a good choice for those who would like to digitize relatively small and new DVD collection. You may want a DVD to digital program like WinX DVD Ripper to create high-quality disc to digital copy without extra fee each time, full control on the output video, and freedom to use the digital copies anywhere.

Method 3. Convert DVD to Digital with DVDWalmart - DVD to Digital Service near You

DVDWalmart's Digital Media Transfer service accepts all previously transferred DVDs from Walmart and YesVideo, and other DVDs, MiniDVDs, CDs, and VCDs. It will store the digital copy in MemoryCloud and transfer it to a single USB if you ask it to. This service is ideal for individuals with a modest collection of DVDs seeking a hassle-free digitization process. However, it's important to note that the service comes at a slightly higher cost. The price for creating a digital copy with MemoryCloud online access is $12.96 for the first 30 minutes and $5.46 for each additional 30 minutes. If it is a 2-hour movie DVD, you need to pay $29.34 for this service.

If you have a lot of DVDs that need to be converted to digital format, it will cost a shedload of money. If you're on a budget, DVD to digital conversion software will be a better choice. Take WinX DVD Ripper as an example, you only need to pay $39.95 to get a one-year license, which can be used on 3 computers. After activating WinX DVD Ripper with this license, you can convert as many DVDs as you like and choose a desired output format. And it only takes a few minutes to get a digital copy of your DVD.

If you're interested in WinX DVD Ripper, click the download button below to have a try!

Pros:

• You don't need to do the conversion by yourself.

Cons:

• It is troublesome.
• It is expensive.
• Users will wait long time to get digital copy.

How to use DVDWalmart to transfer DVD to digital copy?

If you're still interested in DVDWalmart, check how to use DVDWalmart to transfer DVD to digital copy.

Step 1. Create your order online or at Walmart.

Step 2. Bring your DVD and order confirmation printout (if you created your order online) to Walmart Photo near you or mail your order.

Step 3. Pick up the digital copy at Walmart if you dropped off your DVD at Walmart and wait for it to be delivered to you if you sent your media directly to Walmart. You may need to wait 3-4 weeks to get the digital copy.

Method 4. Convert DVD to Digital for Free with HandBrake

We notice that HandBrake often emerges as a top recommendation for converting DVDs to digital format. If you want to convert your DVDs to digital files without paying money, you can check HandBrake. This is a free open source video transcoder for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It can convert your non-protected DVDs to digital files in MP4, MKV, and WebM. Additionally, it provides a range of customization options for video and audio output, making it ideal for users seeking greater control over their conversion process.

HandBrake is suitable for those with limited budgets for DVD to digital conversion. It is a good choice for digitizing non-protected DVDs. However, if you intend to rip copy-protected DVDs with HandBrake, you will need to install libdvdcss to bypass DVD copy protection.

Pros:

• It is totally free.
• It provides dozens of output presets.

Cons:

• It can't bypass copy protections.
• Some settings are confusing for beginners.

How to convert DVD to digital with free HandBrake?

Step 1. Download, install, and open HandBrake. The steps are almost same on the Windows and Mac.

Step 2. Under "Source Selection", choose the DVD you want to digitize. Then, it will scan you DVD titles.

Step 3. Choose the specific title you want to convert from the drop-down menu of "Title".

Step 4. Choose the preset and adjust video audio settings based on your own needs.

Step 5. Specify save path for the digital copy by clicking the Browse button at the bottom right.

Step 6. Click the "Start Encode" button (on Mac, it's "Start") on the top to begin converting DVD to digital. Wait for the conversion process to complete. Once the conversion is finished, you can locate your newly created digital file in the destination folder you specified.

Method 5. Convert DVD to Digital for Free with VLC Media Player

In spite of its name, VLC is not just a media player. It has a remarkably long list of features including media playback, online streaming, and DVD digitization. While VLC may not be a dedicated DVD to digital converter, it offers a convenient solution for users who already have the software installed. By utilizing VLC, you can avoid the need for additional programs and extra expenses.

With VLC, you can convert your DVDs to a dozen of formats, such as MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, and WMV. And it can even deal with some encrypted discs. The disadvantage is that it takes as long as the movie length to finish ripping DVD. If you don't mind this, just follow the steps below to use VLC to turn your DVDs into digital videos.

Pros:

• It is free of charge.
• It can do more than DVD to digital.

Cons:

• It requires quite a long time to digitize DVD.
• Strictly protected DVDs are not supported.

How to digitize DVD with VLC?

Step 1. Download and install VLC if you don't have this tool on your computer. Then, open it.

Step 2. Click "Media" and then select "Convert/Save".

Step 3. Click "Disc" tab and choose disc device, title, chapter, audio, and subtitle track. Then hit "Convert/Save".

Step 4. Choose profile.

Step 5. Click "Browse" to specify destination file.

Step 6. Hit "Start" to begin converting DVD to digital.

Note: The resulting DVD digital files created by VLC may be incompatible with standard media players or contain playback errors that prevent smooth playback. It could be caused by incomplete or corrupted digital copies of the DVD content from VLC Media Player.

Method 6. Convert DVD to Digital for Free with MakeMKV

MakeMKV is a popular DVD ripper, frequently mentioned in online forums. As its name indicates, MakeMKV can only export MKV files. And, there is no compression, which means you'll get a high-quality but large-size digital copy. But the surprise is that it can convert protected Blu-ray and DVD discs for free during BETA.

MakeMKV features a simple and user-friendly interface, making it an excellent option for beginners who may be new to DVD and Blu-ray ripping. Its straightforward navigation system ensures that users can easily navigate through the software without encountering any complexities.

Pros:

• It can decrypt DVDs and Blurays.
• It is free to use.
• It keeps the original quality.

Cons:

• It can only output uncompressed MKV files.
• Output is uncompressed. Large file size.
• Lack editing options.
• Users are required to upgrade to new versions or input a registration key when new updates are released.

How to transfer DVD to digital with MakeMKV?

Step 1. Download and install MakeMKV on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.

Step 2. Open MakeMKV and insert the DVD you want to convert to digital.

Step 3. When MakeMKV detects your DVD, click the Open DVD disk button to let MakeMKV access your DVD.

Step 4. When you see a tree structure with your titles, video tracks, audios, and subtitles, just choose which titles or tracks you want to convert.

Step 5. Click Set output folder button to specify where you want to save the digital copy.

Step 6. Click the Make MKV button to begin converting DVD to MKV digital file.

Wrapping up

For converting DVDs to digital formats, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is highly recommended due to its diverse pricing options, support for various DVD types, multiple output formats, and fast conversion speeds. VUDU offers convenience but is limited to the US and Mexico with some DVD title restrictions. DVDWalmart provides transfer services but is expensive and slow. Free software like HandBrake and VidCoder can only handle unencrypted DVDs, while VLC is slow and struggles with commercial discs. MakeMKV supports some encrypted DVDs but only outputs in MKV format. For whatever reasons, just choose based on your budget, DVD collection size, and desired formats.

FAQs about DVD Digitization

1. How to convert DVD to digital on Mac?

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum has a Mac version which can help you digitize DVDs on Mac. The procedure is like digitizing a DVD on Windows, so just download this tool and follow the steps in method 1.

Free Download for Mac OS X 10.6 or later

If you want to try something different, you can try Disk Utility – Mac's built-in app that can digitize DVDs without copyright. However, it can only export image file. Don't expect it to make a MP4 copy or other mainstreaming format from your DVD. If it's ok for you, just follow this:

Step 1. Go to Applications > Utilities, find and open Disk Utility.

Step 2. Locate your DVD and click on it.

Step 3. Choose New Image which is in the centre along the top.

Step 4. The next option to look out for is Image Format, which you should set to DVD/CD Master.

Step 5. Set Encryption to None.

Step 6. Hit save and the DVD will begin copying to the destination you specified. When the process is complete, just eject your DVD.

Disclaimer: Digiarty Software does not advocate ripping copy-protected DVDs for any commercial purpose and suggests referring to the DVD copyright laws in your countries before doing so.

Still have trouble about converting DVD disc to digital on Windows (10)/Mac? Just Email Us