How to Make a Copy of a DVD That Will Play on a DVD Player

You can burn DVDs to back up your favorites.

Burning a duplicate copy of a DVD lets you create a backup copy an existing DVD you already have. This ensures you won't have to purchase another copy if the original DVD breaks or gets damaged. In some cases, too, you may want to back up precious and irreplaceable memories, like a DVD with footage of a child's birthday party or first steps.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with DVD-burning capabilities
• Blank DVDs

Instructions

1. Buy a reliable brand of blank DVDs, such as Sony or TDK. Not all blank DVDs will play on all DVD players.

2. Decrypt your DVD. In order to save the movie file from your DVD to your computer, you must decrypt or "rip" it from the disc. Download or purchase a DVD-decrypting program; there are many free options available to download online. A very good quality DVD-decrypting program can be downloaded for free from dvdvideosoft.com, which offers a free DVD-burning program as well.

3. Download or purchase a DVD-burning program. Most computers that come with an internal DVD burner have a companion DVD-burning program. However, if your computer does not (or you do not like the one that it comes with), there are many free DVD-burning programs available for download online. Dvdvideosoft.com, nero.com and easydvdburning.com offer good DVD-burning programs.

4. Open your DVD-copying software and select the decrypted DVD file that you wish to put on the disc. Select any options available, such as creating a title menu or whether you would like your DVD to start playing immediately from the DVD player. Press the Burn DVD button. The burning process can take up to an hour to complete.

5. Verify that your DVD was successfully copied by attempting to play it in your DVD player. There are always some blank DVDs that simply do not work right. If your copied DVD does not play, repeat the steps with a different blank DVD.

Tips & Warnings

• Some DVDs are copyright protected and it is illegal to make a duplicate. Make sure that you are allowed to make a copy of your DVD before burning a new disc.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish