How to Copy a DVD Onto a Computer
Part 1 of 4:
Installing HandBrake
- Go to https://handbrake.fr/ in a web browser. HandBrake is a free app that allows you to copy the content from a DVD to your computer.
- Click Download HandBrake 1.2.2. It's the red button on the page. This downloads the HandBrake install file on Windows.
- If you're using Mac or Linux, click Other Platforms below the "Download HandBrake" button on the main page, and then click the Download link for your operating system.
- Double-click the install file and follow the instructions. You'll usually find it in the "Downloads folder. On Windows, the file is called HandBrake-1.2.2-x86_64-Win_GUI.exe or something similar. On Mac, the file is called HandBrake-1.1.2.dmg"'.
- On a Mac, you may need to adjust your Security & Privacy settings to install unverified apps from the internet.
- Click Next (Windows only). When you see the Welcome window of the installer, click Next in the lower-right corner of the Window to continue.
- On Mac, clicking the install file creates a folder with the HandBrake app. You can open the HandBrake app from that folder, or you can drag and drop the app into your Applications folder in the Finder.
- Click Next again (Windows only). This indicates that you agree to the License Agreement.
- Click Install (Windows only). This installs HandBrake.
- Click Finish. This closes the HandBrake install Wizard

Part 2 of 4:
Installing Libdvdcss on Windows
- Go to https://github.com/allienx/libdvdcss-dll/tree/master/1.4.2 on a Windows PC. If you're using macOS, you can skip this part. This is the link to download the latest version of Libdvdcss.dll, which is a file that helps HandBrake decrypt copy-protected content from DVDs. You'll need this file if the DVD you're copying is a movie, TV show, or virtually any other type of DVD you'd find in a store.
- Click 32-bit or 64-bit. Depending on which version of Windows you are running, click the version of the file that fits your version of Windows.
- Locate the "libdvdcss-2.dll" file. By default, downloaded files can be found in your "Downloads" folder. If you see the file in your web browser, you can also right-click it and click Show in Folder.
- Right-click "libdvdcss-2.dll" and click Cut. This removes the file from your "Downloads" folder and copies it to your clipboard so you can paste it in another location.
- Open Windows Explorer
- Click your local hard drive. This drive, usually called "C:", should be found in the left panel under "This PC."
- The C: drive may have a different name on different computers. Sometimes it's called "Local Disk", or the name of your computer.
- Click the Program Files folder. It's in the local "C:" drive.
- Click the HandBrake folder. It's in the "Program Files" folder on your local "C:" drive. This is where HandBrake is installed.
- Right-click a blank space in the folder. A menu will expand.
- Click Paste. This pastes the "libdvdcss-2.dll" file in your HandBrake folder.
Part 3 of 4:
Installing Libdvdcss on macOS
- Go to http://download.videolan.org/libdvdcss/1.4.2/macosx/ in a web browser. If you're using Windows, you can skip this part. This is the link to download the latest version of Libdvdcss.dll, which is a file that helps HandBrake decrypt copy-protected content from DVDs. You'll need this file if the DVD you're copying is a movie, TV show, or virtually any other type of DVD you'd find in a store.
- Click libdvdcss-1.4.2.pkg. This contains the install file for the latest version of libdvdcss.dll for Mac.
- You may need to adjust your Security & Privacy settings to install unverified files and apps from the internet.
- Click Continue. It's in the lower-right corner of the install dialogue box.
- Click Install. It's in the lower-right corner of the install dialogue box.
- If you want to change your install location, click Change Install Location and select a new location.
- Enter your password and click Install Software. Use your Mac login password. This copies the file to the correct folder.
- Click Close when prompted to close the installer.
Part 4 of 4:
Copying the DVD
- Insert a DVD into your DVD drive.
- Open HandBrake. It has an icon that resembles a cocktail glass next to a pineapple. You can open HandBrake in the Windows Start menu, or in the Applications folder on a Mac.
- Select your DVD drive. It's in the source menu in the sidebar to the left.
- If the Source menu doesn't open automatically, click Source in the upper-right corner.
- Choose a chapter. Use the drop-down menu next to "Title" to select a chapter to copy. If you are copying a movie, select the longest chapter. If you are copying a TV show, select an individual chapter.[1]
- Click Browse. It's next to the bar at the top of the screen. This opens a file browser you can use to select a save location and give the file a name.
- Select a save location. Use the file browser to select a folder or location for the DVD file to copy to.
- Type a name for the video. File type the name of the movie or TV show in the bar next to "File Name."
- Click Save. This saves the file and location.
- Select a preset. Choose Normal or High Profile to optimize the video for your computer.
- You can also select a specific device, such as an iPhone, from the list of presets.
- Click Start. It's in the upper-right corner near the "Source" button. This starts copying the DVD. It may take a while for the video finish encoding.
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