How to Do DVD Duplication

For the consumer with home audio/video equipment, the fastest, most efficient way to duplicate a DVD is to rip the source DVD to your computer's hard drive, then burn the contents to a blank, recordable DVD using the computer's DVD burner. DVD recorder components for home theater perform the same function, but there are two types: a recorder with a built-in hard drive for storing the program before you burn it to disc, and the less expensive DVD recorders that must be connected to a separate DVD player that holds the source DVD you wish to record. This guide explains each of these ways to duplicate a DVD.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with DVD burner DVD recorder with built-in hard drive or DVD recorder, a separate DVD player and audio/video cables. Blank recordable discs Source DVDs for duplicating

1. Duplicate a DVD on a computer by inserting the DVD to be copied in the computer's DVD tray. Rip the program for temporary storage on your computer hard drive, using the multimedia software that comes with the DVD burner. Most software comes with straightforward prompts that will ask you to select the program you wish to rip and where on the hard drive you wish to store it. Creating a file such as "my DVD recordings" makes your ripped programs easier to find later.

2. Remove the prerecorded DVD from your computer and insert a blank disc. Burn the recorded program from your hard drive to the blank disc.

3. Duplicate a DVD on a DVD recorder with built-in hard drive by placing the source DVD in your machine and copying the disc to the internal hard drive. This can be done from the front console of your DVD recorder, or you can follow on-screen prompts using the remote control if your machine is connected to a TV.

4. Place a blank disc in the DVD recorder's tray and burn your program to disc, following the prompts on your machine.

5. Duplicate a disc by connecting a DVD recorder to a DVD player that will be used to play back your source program for recording.

6. Connect the audio/video cables between components. Plug the red (right channel) audio jack into the right audio output of the playback DVD and the right audio input of the DVD recorder. Plug the white (left channel) audio cable into the left output jack of the DVD player and the left audio input jack of the DVD recorder. Plug the yellow video cable into the video output of the playback component and the video input jack of the DVD recorder.

7. Begin playback of your source DVD and activate the record function on the DVD recorder.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy recordable DVDs in bulk, and take advantage of sales and rebates.
• Copyright violation is a federal crime that is punishable by fines of up to $250,000 for each infringement and prison time.

References

• DVD duplication information