How to Copy DVD Movies With a DVD Recorder

A DVD recorder can be a DVD-copying device.

Copying your home movies from one DVD to another can be done without a computer. Certain models of DVD players have the ability to record onto a blank disc, and you can use one of these DVD recorders to make copies of your own DVDs. Connecting a DVD player to a DVD recorder is a simple matter of hooking up the video cable correctly.

Things You'll Need

• DVD player
• DVD recorder
• Composite video cable

Instructions

Connect DVD Player to DVD Recorder

1. Make sure the DVD player and DVD recorder are connected to power and are close enough for the length of the composite video cable you are using.

2. 

   Composite video cable

   Plug one end of the composite cable into the "Video Out" and "Audio Out" ports of your DVD player. Make sure the colors on the cable plugs match the color of the port you are plugging them into.

3. Plug the other end of the composite cable into the "Video In" and "Audio In" ports of your DVD recorder. Again, make sure the colors match on both the plug and the port.

Copy a DVD Movie

1. Turn on both the DVD recorder and the DVD player.

2. Press the "Play" button on the remote for the DVD player. Let the disc load and then press the "Record" button on the DVD recorder remote as soon as the video begins playing.

3. Press the "Stop" button on the DVD recorder remote once the video has finished playing.

4. Select the "Finalize" option on the menu that pops up after you've stopped the recording.

Tips & Warnings

• Create copies of copyright movies only for backup purposes. Making a copy of a copyright DVD movie for any other purpose is illegal.

References

• Back to Basics: How to Set Up a DVD Player or DVD Recorder
• "PC World": How to Buy a DVD Recorder
• Crutchfield: How to Connect a DVD Player