007 DVD Copy: Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect BackupsNote: Copying commercial DVDs may be restricted by copyright law in many countries. This guide explains general technical steps for creating backups of DVDs you legally own (for personal use, region-shifting, or archival purposes). Always check and follow local laws before copying copyrighted material.
What you’ll need
- A computer with a DVD drive (at least one drive; two drives speed up the process).
- Blank DVD-R or DVD+R discs (DVD-5 for single-layer, DVD-9 for dual-layer).
- Sufficient free disk space if creating a hard-drive backup (4.7 GB for single-layer titles; ~8.5 GB for dual-layer).
- Reliable DVD copying/ripping software (details below).
- Optional: USB external DVD drive or a dual-layer burner if your internal drive lacks burning capability.
Choosing software (overview)
Popular tools (some free, some paid) for ripping and copying DVDs include:
- HandBrake (free) — great for re-encoding to compressed digital files but does not remove commercial copy protection by itself.
- MakeMKV (free while in beta) — rips DVD/Blu-ray to MKV without re-encoding; preserves video/audio tracks and subtitles.
- DVDFab (paid, with trial) — full-featured rip/copy/burn solution that can handle most protections.
- AnyDVD (paid) — runs in background to remove region and copy protections.
- ImgBurn (free) — excellent for burning ISO images to disc; pairs well with other tools.
Choose based on whether you want a 1:1 DVD copy (ISO/DVD folder), a compressed single-layer copy, or a transcoded file for phones/tablets.
Step 1 — Verify legal right to copy
Ensure the DVD is legally yours and that local law permits personal backups. Proceed only if you have the right to make the copy.
Step 2 — Inspect the disc and set up drives
- Clean the disc if dusty or smudged.
- Insert the DVD in the drive. If your drive cannot read the disc (e.g., scratched), consider a cleaner or an alternative drive.
Step 3 — Decide backup format
- ISO image: exact sector-by-sector replica; best for perfect backups/archival and for mounting later.
- Video_TS folder: standard DVD file structure; useful for burning to another disc.
- Re-encoded file (MP4/MKV): smaller, more portable, but not a DVD anymore.
- Copy to another DVD: suitable if you need a playable disc on many standalone DVD players.
For a “perfect backup” choose ISO or Video_TS (1:1) or a DVD-compliant ISO for burning.
Step 4 — Rip to hard drive (if making ISO or folder)
Recommended: use MakeMKV to extract main title as MKV if you intend to keep quality and re-author later; use a combination of AnyDVD (to remove protection) + ImgBurn for ISO.
Example workflow for ISO using ImgBurn + AnyDVD:
- Run AnyDVD in background (it will remove CSS/region locks automatically).
- Open ImgBurn → Create image file from disc.
- Select source drive, choose destination .iso path, click Read.
- Verify the resulting ISO using ImgBurn’s Verify mode.
If using a single-tool approach (DVDFab, RipIt): select “Make ISO” or “Copy to ISO” and follow prompts.
Step 5 — Re-authoring or compression (optional)
If the DVD is dual-layer and you want to fit it onto a single-layer disc:
- Use DVD Shrink (older, still used) or DVD Rebuilder to compress the Video_TS while preserving chapters and menus where possible.
- Or rip to MKV with MakeMKV and re-encode with HandBrake to target size/format, but you’ll lose original DVD menus and structure.
Compression tips:
- Target bitrates to fit 4.7 GB; preserve highest-quality main movie audio; remove extras if not needed.
Step 6 — Burn to disc (if creating a physical DVD)
- Use ImgBurn (Windows) or Burn (macOS) / Brasero (Linux).
- For ISO: choose Write image file to disc, select .iso, set burn speed (4x–8x recommended for best compatibility), enable Verify if available.
- For Video_TS: select “Write files/folders to disc” in a DVD-authoring tool or create an ISO from Video_TS first, then burn.
Ensure you use DVD-R for older players or check player compatibility (DVD+R vs -R).
Step 7 — Test the backup
- Test ISO by mounting it in software (VLC, Windows Explorer) or burn to a disc and test in multiple players (PC DVD player and standalone player).
- Check main title, subtitles, audio tracks, chapters, and menu navigation (if menus were preserved).
Troubleshooting common issues
- Disc not recognized: try another drive, clean the disc, or use a drive capable of reading damaged discs.
- Copy-protected discs fail to rip: use AnyDVD or DVDFab (may require purchase) to handle protections.
- Burned disc not playable: lower burn speed, ensure finalized disc, use different brand media or format (DVD-R vs DVD+R).
- Missing subtitles/menus after re-encoding: choose tools that preserve those tracks (MakeMKV + authoring software) or accept loss when using HandBrake.
Preservation tips
- Store original and backup discs vertically in cases away from heat and sunlight.
- Keep an ISO on a separate, reliable storage (external SSD or cloud) as an additional backup.
- Label discs clearly and include a checksum file (MD5/SHA1) for archival verification.
Quick recommended workflows
- Exact 1:1 ISO backup: AnyDVD (or similar) + ImgBurn → Create ISO → Verify.
- Preserve tracks for future re-authoring: MakeMKV → store MKV → re-encode later with HandBrake or author DVD from MKV.
- Fit to single-layer DVD: DVD Rebuilder or DVD Shrink → burn with ImgBurn.
Final notes on legality and ethics
Even if tools make copying trivial, respect copyright. Use backups only for personal archival and playback of DVDs you legally own and follow local laws.
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