How to Convert DVD to Digital and When to Choose What

Physical media is fading, and "disc rot" is a silent threat to your aging collection. Learning how to transfer DVD to digital is no longer just about convenience—it's about preservation. Modernizing your collection for a tablet, streaming via a NAS (like Plex), or simply creating a secure backup of home movies requires a reliable transfer DVD to digital workflow. With physical players disappearing, digital preservation ensures your media remains accessible on any device.

However, the market is flooded with tools that claim to be the "best." Some produce low-quality files, while others fail to read the latest encryption layers. To address the various situations you might encounter, we conducted a simple test (details at the end of the article if you are interested) and created this guide, helping you easily choose the right method based on your disc type, time, and budget.

Disclaimer: We do not advocate ripping or converting authorized or copy-protected DVD videos. Please check your local laws before you digitalize DVDs.

TL; DR: Quick Comparison

Choosing the right way to convert DVDs to digital largely depends on your collection and what matters most to you.

If you have a small number of home videos and prefer a completely hands-off experience, mail-in services like Walmart or LegacyBox offer the simplest "send it and forget it" solution. For minimal effort with eligible store-bought movies, Fandango at Home (Vudu) lets you scan barcodes and get digital copies instantly without ripping. For those with large collections or who want full control and better long-term value, DIY software is usually more practical.

Among the DIY options, VideoProc Converter AI stands out as the fastest and easiest for most people, especially if you have protected commercial DVDs and want reliable decryption with excellent speed and quality. If you need perfect, bit-for-bit lossless MKV backups, MakeMKV is the clear choice.

DVD to Digital Methods We Actually Tested

#1. Video Transfer Service

• Turnaround Time: ~3 to 4 weeks or longer
• Price: Approximately $20–$30 per item (90-minute disc, reel, tape, etc.)
• Supported Disc Types: Non-private home DVDs

For those who prefer a "done-for-you" experience, there are lots of video transfer services available on the market, such as Walmart Photo, Legacybox, etc. These mail-in services are ideal for those with a small collection of home movies, or for anyone who simply doesn't want the hassle of dealing with DVD drives or computers. The process is simple: you place an order, mail them your DVDs, and once digitized, you can download the digital files from their cloud storage or save them to Google Photos. They'll return your originals along with optional add-ons like a USB drive (if applicable).

This is certainly convenient for small batches. However, for large batches, say a modest collection of 20 DVDs, the cost of transferring them to digital could exceed $300. You are essentially paying for the labor and the logistics of physical shipping. Furthermore, they do not digitize copyrighted, commercially produced DVDs that you purchase.

The following is the typical process for converting DVDs to digital using these video transfer services.

1. Check if there's a Walmart Photo located in your region. Then create an order online.
2. Ship the physical DVD(s) or drop off it at a Walmart near you.
3. Wait for a month and you'll receive a digital copy.

Final Verdict:

These mail-in services are ideal for users with a small volume of non-private home videos who prefer a "one-stop, done-for-you" solution. However, they may not be the best choice for those with large collections or for users looking to digitize DVDs for a home media server.

#2. HandBrake

• Time: ~15–18 minutes for a full 90-minute disc
• Price: Free
• Supported Disc Types: Home DVDs and CSS-encrypted commercial DVDs (with libdvdcss)

For users who don't mind a bit of technical "tinkering," DVD ripping software is undoubtedly the way to go. HandBrake is a cross-platform, open-source video transcoder that lets you rip your home DVD to a digital video file out of the box. It supports three output formats: MP4, MKV, and WebM. For DVD ripping, the Fast 480p30 for NTSC or Fast 576p25 for PAL presets are ideal for standard-definition DVDs.

Almost all DVDs you bought from Amazon or offline store are copy protected. If you want to rip a store-bought movie movie disc, you'll need to install libdvdcss for HandBrake, a decryption library for DVDs encrypted with the Content Scramble System (CSS). Even with libdvdcss installed, HandBrake often fails to correctly identify the main movie title on newer commercial discs. It cannot independently bypass modern protection mechanisms such as Disney's "99-title" scheme or Sony's ARccOS.

Here's how to rip DVD with Handbrake:

1. Insert the disc and launch HandBrake. It will then scan the DVD and list the titles if the disc is unencrypted or libdvdcss is working properly.
2. HandBrake will automatically select what it thinks is the main title. You can also select a desired title and chapter from the Title and Range drop-downs.
3. Pick an appropriate preset or output format.
4. Set video parameters like encoder, framerate, and quality if needed.
5. Choose the audio and subtitle tracks to include, as well as their formats.
6. Click Browse and choose a folder on your hard drive to save the ripped video file, and give it a sensible name.
7. Click the green Start Encode button on the top toolbar. HandBrake will start will transfer the DVD to a digital file.

Final Verdict:

HandBrake is suitable for converting home-made DVDs and CSS-encrypted commercial DVDs (with libdvdcss) into digital formats for free. It allows you to adjust various parameters to produce decent quality MP4 or MKV videos, despite the inevitable re-encoding process. However, HandBrake may fail to handle commercial DVDs that use stricter encryption methods beyond CSS.

#3. VideoProc Converter AI

• Time: ~8.2 minutes for a 90-minute disc
• Price: $34.95 for a one-year subscription or $54.95 for a lifetime license
• Supported Disc Types: Home DVDs and commercial DVDs

The advantage of commercial software like VideoProc Converter AI lies in its greater ease of use and support for more DVD types. Beyond home DVDs, its built-in DVD converter handles various commercial discs, including those with complex copy protections. VideoProc Converter AI automatically handles decryption and selects the correct title.

There are no complex settings; simply selecting the desired output format yields excellent video quality. If needed, you can also configure specific video parameters. You can create a 1:1 lossless backup like an ISO image or MKV file, or convert it into digital formats compatible with Plex, NAS, smart TVs, and various mobile devices. Safe Mode and Full GPU Acceleration make the entire process more stable and faster.

Follow the steps below to convert DVD to digital using VideoProc Converter AI.

Step 1. Add a DVD disc to VideoProc Converter AI.

Open VideoProc Converter AI and click "DVD" on the main interface. Click the "DVD Disc" button and select the source DVD you just inserted. Click "Done".

Step 2. Choose an output format for the DVD digital copy.

Move to the options at the bottom. Click "Video" and select "MP4 H.264", the best digital format for general use.

VideoProc Converter AI also offers presets for specific use in "Target Format", sorted by device and platform. If you want to make a digital copy without losing any data in your disc, choose "DVD Backup".

If necessary, you can adjust parameters in Codec & Format options, edit metadata, switch audio and subtitles tracks, and apply simple edits.

Step 3. Start to convert DVD to digital.

Activate Hardware Acceleration Engine. Choose an output folder. Hit the "RUN" button to start digitizing DVD in VideoProc Converter AI.

Final Verdict:

VideoProc Converter AI is the ideal choice for users who want easy, fast, reliable, and high-quality DVD to digital conversion, especially with protected commercial DVDs. It excels at handling complex encryptions while delivering excellent speed and offering useful extras like AI tools and device-specific presets. However, it may be overkill for users with only a few simple homemade discs who don't need advanced features.

#4. VLC Media Player

• Time: ~35–45 minutes for a 90-minute disc
• Price: Free
• Supported Disc Types: Home DVDs and CSS-encrypted DVDs

Most users already have VLC on their desktops, making it a tempting choice for an occasional disc to digital task without downloading new software. While primarily a media player, its "Convert/Save" feature acts as a basic DVD to digital converter for unencrypted discs. It is a solid starting point for converting DVD to digital for free.

However, VLC is not a specialized DVD ripper. In our stress tests, VLC struggled with modern multi-layer discs and took significantly longer to convert the DVD into a digital format. It cannot natively bypass most commercial copy protections and failed on all Disney 99-title and Region-coded samples. Furthermore, this program requires manual configuration that might frustrate beginners.

How to convert DVD to digital with VLC:

Step 1. Open VLC, click Media, and select Convert/Save.

Step 2. Under the Disc tab, ensure your DVD drive is selected. You may need to manually specify titles or chapters if the auto-detection fails.

Step 3. Choose a digital container (e.g., Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)).

Step 4. Set your destination folder and click Start.

Final Verdict:

VLC Media Player works well for casual users who only need to convert a few simple, unprotected homemade DVDs occasionally and prefer not to install specialized software. It offers a quick and familiar way to rip basic discs. However, it is not suitable for protected commercial DVDs or users who need good speed, reliability, or high-quality results with challenging discs.

#5. MakeMKV

• Time: ~12–15 minutes for a 90-minute disc
• Price: Free while in Beta; $60 for a permanent license
• Supported Disc Types: Home DVDs and commercial DVDs

If your priority is preserving the 100% original quality of your discs, MakeMKV is the definitive disc to digital tool. Unlike most converters that re-encode (and thus compress) the video, MakeMKV is able to, and can only, "remux" the data into MKV format. This means the digital file is a bit-for-bit clone of the original DVD, typically consuming about 4–8 GB.

It is particularly favored by the Plex and Kodi communities for creating high-fidelity media servers. While it is technically "shareware," the developer provides a free beta key regularly on their forum, making it a powerful choice for those exploring how to convert DVD to digital free.

Follow the steps below to convert DVD to digital using MakeMKV.

Step 1. Launch MakeMKV and open your DVD disc in it. And it will take a while to scan the disc.

Step 2. Select the content that you want to include in the digital copy.

Step 3. Choose an output folder and ask it to convert the DVD to an MKV file.

Final Verdict:

MakeMKV is the perfect solution for users who want lossless, bit-for-bit backups of their DVD collection, especially for building a high-fidelity home media server like Plex. It preserves every original audio track, subtitle, and chapter without compression. However, it may not be ideal for those with limited storage space or users who need smaller file sizes for mobile devices and streaming, as it only outputs uncompressed MKV files.

#6. WinX DVD Ripper

• Time: ~7 minutes for a 90-minute disc
• Price: $39.95 for a one-year subscription or $59.95 for a lifetime license
• Supported Disc Types: Home DVDs and commercial DVDs

WinX DVD Ripper has enjoyed a reputation for digital DVD backup spanning nearly 20 years. It's often cited as the best way to convert DVD to digital due to its unmatched decryption engine. This program is a dedicated powerhouse designed to navigate the most aggressive copy protections that often crash other rippers. It is particularly effective for digitizing "difficult" discs, such as those with the Disney 99-title protection, Sony ARccOS, or regional locks.

It features a simple interface, retaining only the essential functions for digitizing DVDs. In our tests, it converted DVDs to MP4 format at the fastest speed. However, we also found that WinX DVD Ripper cannot output digital video in MKV format. Its "DVD backup" mode, intended for creating lossless backups, outputs files exclusively in MPG format, which may cause some playback inconvenience.

Follow the steps below to convert DVD to digital with WinX DVD Ripper:

Step 1. Insert your disc and launch the software. Click the DVD Disc button. WinX will perform a structural analysis to auto-detect the correct main title.

Step 2. Choose your target format from the Output Profile window.

Step 3. On the main interface, ensure the Hardware Accelerator (Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD) box is checked. Set your destination folder and hit RUN.

Final Verdict:

WinX DVD Ripper is best suited for users dealing with heavily protected or difficult DVDs, such as new Disney releases, scratched discs, or titles with stubborn copy protections. It stands out for its strong decryption capabilities and fast performance. WinX DVD Ripper always transcodes the video. That said, it may not be the top pick for users who prioritize completely lossless backups or those working mainly with unprotected home videos.

#7. Fandango at Home (Vudu Disc to Digital)

• Price: $2 per disc for SD/HDX copies; $5 to upgrade an SD DVD to an HDX digital version
• Supported Disc Types: Certain commercial movie DVDs with a clear UPC barcode on the physical disc you own

Fandango at Home (formerly VUDU) has a handy in-mobile disc to digital service. Essentially, it converts eligible physical DVDs into digital cloud licenses, with an additional fee on top of the price of the title you already own, of course. You scan the physical DVD's UPC barcode, confirm the title's eligibility, pay the conversion fee, and the movie appears in your account. It's that simple, an official method without any legal controversy. You don't even need to insert the physical disc.

However, the thing is, Fandango at Home currently operates only in the US and Mexico, meaning you cannot stream your collection while abroad. Additionally, not all studios participate in the "Disc to Digital" program, so the library may not include every movie you wish to convert. In our tests, most titles from Warner Bros, Universal, and Sony worked flawlessly, while Disney and many indie titles were unsupported. There is also a strict limit of 100 conversions per calendar year.

Here's how to Convert DVD to digital with Fandango at Home.

Step 1. Download the VUDU app to your Android/iOS smartphone.

Step 2. Create your own VUDU account and sign in.

Step 3. Choose Disc to Digital option and scan the barcode of your disc.

Step 4. Select your ideal output quality and tap Submit List.

Step 5. Watch the digitalized DVD file on a VUDU-enabled device.

Final Verdict:

Fandango at Home is perfect for converting specific commercial movie DVDs that are eligible for the "Disc to Digital" program, not home DVDs. By scanning the UPC barcode, you receive a digital cloud license associated with your account, rather than an actual downloadable digital video file. This is ideal for movie fans who prefer not to deal with specific codecs or profiles.

How We Tested the Best DVD to Digital Converters

To provide an authentic guide, our team spent 40+ hours testing over 15 software options. Our evaluation was performed on a high-performance workstation equipped with an Intel Core i7-13700K processor (up to 5.4 GHz), 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU. All software was tested across both Windows 11 Pro (24H2) and macOS Sonoma environments using an external ASUS ZenDrive U9M via USB 3.0.

Real-World Test Samples

To ensure our findings apply to your library, we selected two distinct types of media:

• A 90-minute Commercial Feature: This Hollywood title was chosen for its complex Disney 99-title encryption and CSS protections, which typically cause free tools to crash or produce out-of-sync audio.
• A 15-year-old Homemade DVD-R: This disc featured significant surface scratches and aging data sectors, allowing us to measure the error-correction capabilities of each DVD to digital converter.

Our Evaluation Benchmarks

We transcoded these samples into MP4 (H.264) for mobile compatibility and MKV (HEVC/H.265) for high-efficiency NAS storage. During this process, we tracked four critical metrics:

• Conversion Speed: The actual time required to transfer DVD to digital using Full GPU Hardware Acceleration.
• System Efficiency: Real-time monitoring of CPU and GPU utilization to ensure the software doesn't freeze your computer.
• Visual Fidelity: A side-by-side frame analysis to check for "waxy" skin textures, macroblocking, or interlacing artifacts.
• Decryption Stability: The ability to bypass regional codes and structural protections without manual intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert my DVD to digital?

Yes, you can convert your DVDs to digital files using either professional video transfer services or DIY software. DIY tools like VideoProc Converter AI or MakeMKV make it easy to create digital copies for backup, streaming, or watching on mobile devices. The process is straightforward and works for both homemade videos and commercial movies, as long as you own the discs.

What is the best format for a DVD digital copy?

The best format for most users is MP4 (H.264), as it offers excellent compatibility with smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and media players while maintaining good quality and reasonable file size. For lossless archiving on a Plex or NAS server, MKV is preferred since it preserves all original audio tracks and subtitles without compression.

How to convert DVD to digital for free?

You can convert DVDs to digital for free using open-source tools like HandBrake, especially for unprotected homemade discs. For commercial DVDs, MakeMKV offers a free beta version that works well for lossless backups. Keep in mind that free tools often have limitations with heavily protected discs compared to paid software.

Is a digital copy the same as a DVD?

No, a digital copy is not exactly the same as the original DVD. While it contains the same video and audio content, the digital file is usually compressed for better compatibility and smaller size. Lossless backups like MKV come closest to the original quality, but most conversions involve some level of re-encoding.

Does Walmart still do Disc to digital?

Yes, Walmart still offers DVD transfer services through their photo department or partnered providers. You can mail in your home videos or drop them off at participating stores. However, they typically only accept non-commercial, personal DVDs and do not digitize copyrighted movies you purchased.