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Listed in Most modern TVs do not include a built-in DVD drive, but that does not mean your DVD collection has to stay on the shelf. By copying your DVDs to a TV-compatible video format, you can store the movies on an external hard drive and play them through your TV's USB port.
Below, we'll show you how to prepare the drive, copy the DVD in the right format, and play the movie on your TV. You'll also find solutions for common problems, such as a drive that is not recognized or a video that will not play.
Can You Copy a DVD Directly to an External Hard Drive
You can copy a DVD to an external hard drive, but simply dragging the files from the disc is rarely the best approach. An unprotected DVD may let you copy its VIDEO_TS folder, but many TVs cannot play that folder directly. Commercial DVDs may also use copy protection that prevents a normal file copy.
For easier playback, the practical solution is to rip the DVD into a TV-compatible video file, such as an MP4 encoded with H.264, and then transfer that file to the external drive. This gives you a single movie file that is easier to store, organize, and play through your TV's USB media player.
If you want to preserve the complete DVD structure, including its menus and extra content, you can create an ISO image or copy the VIDEO_TS folder instead. However, these formats are better suited to backup and computer playback than direct playback on most TVs.
Note: Copy-protection laws vary by country and region. Only copy DVDs that you own and are legally permitted to back up.
Before You Start: Check TV and Drive Compatibility
Before ripping the DVD, check what your specific TV model can read through its USB port. A movie may play correctly on a computer but fail on a TV if the drive format, video codec, audio codec, or file size is unsupported. Check the following details in your TV's manual or support page:
- USB media playback: Make sure the USB port supports video playback. On some TVs, a USB port may be intended only for service or power.
- Drive file system: Confirm whether the TV supports FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, or another file system. Do not reformat the drive until you have backed up its existing files.
- Video and audio codecs: Checking the file extension alone is not enough. For example, an MP4 file can contain different video and audio codecs. MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is a widely compatible starting point, but support still varies by TV.
- File-size limits: FAT32 cannot store a single file larger than 4GB. Because a copied DVD movie may exceed this limit, exFAT or NTFS is a better choice if your TV supports either format.
- Video and audio codecs: Checking the file extension alone is not enough. Two MP4 files can use different video and audio codecs, so your TV may play one but not the other. MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is a widely compatible starting point, although support varies by TV model.
Tip: If FAT32 is your only option or your TV does not support the current video format, VideoProc Converter AI can help with both issues. Use its Compressor to reduce the file to under 4GB with minimal quality loss, or its capable conversion feature to change the video and audio codecs to a format supported by your TV.
How to Copy DVD to External Hard Drive to Watch on TV
The process is simple: prepare the drive, convert the DVD to a TV-compatible video, and then connect the drive to your TV. Let's start with the external hard drive.
Step 1. Prepare the External Hard Drive for Your TV
Connect the external hard drive to your computer and check its file system. If the format is already supported by your TV and the drive has enough free space, you can use it as it is. There is no need to reformat it.
If the TV does not support the current file system, back up everything on the drive before formatting it. Formatting erases all stored files. Choose a file system supported by your TV; exFAT or NTFS is often preferable for large movie files, while FAT32 cannot store a single file larger than 4GB.
Step 2. Copy the DVD to the External Hard Drive with VideoProc Converter AI
Copying a DVD for TV playback involves more than dragging its VIDEO_TS folder to an external hard drive. Commercial DVDs often block this type of file copy, and most TV media players cannot open DVD folders or menus in the first place. Thus, turning your DVD into a standalone video file encoded in a format your TV supports can make your life easier.
VideoProc Converter AI is a practical choice for the job. With the support for 420+ output formats, it can copy a DVD directly to a MP4 H.264 and other TV-compatible video file. To help users play DVD movies from external hard drive on TV offline easily, it sets up an output profile for TV including Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, and LG.
Better yet? It can handle homemade discs as well as many region-coded and copy-protected commercial DVDs, including Sony movie DVDs and Disney 99-title DVDs. Another alluring part of VideoProc Converter is its multiple DVD copy modes – 1:1 copy, full title copy, main copy, ISO, VIDEO_TS, for retaining the original quality of a physical DVD.
Why Use VideoProc Converter AI
- Well-rounded output presets for TV, mobile device, and the web.
- Rip DVD to 370+ video formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, etc.
- Copy the main movie or select specific titles, audio tracks, and subtitles.
- Lossless copy to keep HD quality, additional tracks, and subtitles.
- The fastest processing speed boosted by level-3 hardware acceleration.
- AI-driven! Upscale and enhance low-quality DVD videos into UHD 4K quality.
Follow these steps to copy the DVD to your external hard drive:
1) Insert the DVD into your computer's internal or external DVD drive.
2) Open VideoProc Converter AI, hit DVD. Choose the inserted disc and let the software load its titles.
3) Open Target Format > Common Video Profile > TV Video, and select a profile for your TV. If your TV is not listed, choose MP4 H.264 as a widely compatible option.
4) Connect the external hard drive and set a folder on the drive as the output destination. If you prefer, you can save the movie to your computer first and transfer it afterward.
5) Click RUN to create the digital copy. When the process is complete, safely eject the external hard drive before disconnecting it.
Tips: How to Enhance the DVD Movie for your HD/UHD 4K TV
DVD video can look soft on an HD or 4K TV because its original resolution is much lower than the TV's display resolution. If needed, you can use AI upscaling after creating the digital copy. This can make the video look cleaner when enlarged, although it cannot restore details that were not present on the DVD.
Open Super Resolution, add the copied video, choose the appropriate video type and scale, and then export the enhanced version to the external hard drive.
Step 3. Connect the External Hard Drive to TV
Open your TV and press the Source/Media button on your remote to switch the input signal to USB. Plug your HDD into a USB port at the back of your TV set. And you'll feel a slight vibration or see the TV screen flicking on and off as it recognizes the external hard drive.
Note: You CANNOT connect your hard drive to a TV via the HDMI port. Because it's a digital HD signal input interface generally used to hook up HD devices to PC for HD video/TV programs playback. If your TV has no USB port, you can copy DVD to computer and connect your laptop to the TV via HDMI.
Step 4. Play the Movie from External Hard Drive on TV
Method 1. Use TV Built-in File Browser
When the TV recognizes the external hard drive, video folders on it pop up on the screen. And this is how the TV file browser works for you. You just need to press on arrow buttons on your TV remote control to browse files and find the movie just copied from your DVD. Select and play it by pressing the OK button.
Method 2. Use a Separate Device like Roku
What if your TV does not have a working file browse? Use a set-top box like Roku to play videos stored on an external drive. First, connect the Roku device to your TV via HDMI. Next, install a Roku Media Player on TV. Plug the portable hard drive into the Roku box via the USB port. Select the USB drive and scan files in it. Finally, you can watch your movie with this media player.
Bonus Tips: How to Stream Movies from Hard Drive to TV
Specifically speaking, this is totally different from the step above. It is achieved by streaming movies from the internal hard drive of your PC to a smart TV with Plex Media Server. Before diving into detailed instructions, make sure you've converted the DVD to the best video format for Plex streaming and keep your computer and smart TV on the same local network.
1. After ripping your DVD for Plex, save the digital copy of your DVD collection on PC after export it from VideoProc Converter AI.
2. Install Plex Media Server on your laptop. It houses all the media files on your computer. Then set it up by registering a new account or log in with an existing one.
3. Install Plex on your smart TV which functions as the client app to receive files streamed from the housing one. Sign in with the same account used on your PC.
4. The new Plex server should show up when the program is running on your PC, just select this on your TV. Then you can access the media library and play the DVD movie on TV.
Tips: The method works the same to stream and watch DVD movies on tablets, Android phones, and iPhones.
