This wikiHow teaches you how to use a Mac computer to duplicate data or video DVDs. If the DVD is not protected, you can copy it using the computer's built-in Disk Utility application. If the DVD is protected (usually DVD movies officially released by the production company), you will need to install a third-party application to get around the restrictions. Copying protected DVD content may be considered an infringement of the copyright or trademark of the creator, depending on the content of the DVD. To avoid breaking the law, never duplicate DVDs for purposes other than personal use.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Copying an Unprotected DVD
Step 1. Insert the DVD you want to copy into the disc slot of the computer
If your computer does not have a built-in DVD-ROM drive, you can use an external one.
This method works for most data/program DVDs and home movies. If you want to copy protected DVD content (eg DVD movies or television series from an authorized production house), read the protected movie DVD copy method
Step 2. Open Disk Utility
An easy way to find the app is to click on the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the screen and type disk utility. This app icon looks like a hard drive with a stethoscope.
Step 3. Click the DVD name in the left pane
The DVD name is displayed under the " External " heading.
Step 4. Click the File menu and select New Image.
Step 5. Click Image from [DVD name]
A window with several options for the DVD will appear.
Step 6. Enter the image file name
A file containing the contents of the DVD will be created with the name you typed into the " Save As " field.
Step 7. Select DVD/CD Master from the "Format" menu
Step 8. Select Desktop as storage location from "Where" menu
This option instructs Disk Utility to save the extracted DVD image to the desktop for easy locating. You can choose another storage directory if you want.
Step 9. Click Save
It's at the bottom of the window. Disk Utility will extract the contents of the DVD and create an image file with the extension. CDR. You can see a confirmation message after the extraction process is complete.
Remove the DVD from the drive after the extraction process is complete
Step 10. Insert a blank DVD into the DVD-ROM drive
When a blank DVD is recognized, you can see its icon on the desktop.
Step 11. Double-click the created image file (. CDR file)
If you save the file to the desktop, it's enough to double the file with the ". CDR" extension. The DVD copy image file will load as a hard drive so a new hard drive icon is displayed on the desktop.
Step 12. Right-click the disc image and select Burn
Make sure you right-click the file's drive icon, NOT the. CDR file. A window with copying or burning options will appear.
Step 13. Select an option and click Burn
The default copy settings from your computer usually don't need to be changed, but you can change the options according to the name and the desired copy speed. The progress bar will show the progress of the copying process. Once the process is complete, you can see a confirmation message.
Method 2 of 2: Copy Protected Movie DVD
Step 1. Install HandBrake
HandBrake is an open source application that allows you to copy DVD content to your Mac. This program can extract unprotected DVDs, but you will still need to install some additional tools before you can use them to copy protected/encrypted DVDs. You can download HandBrake from
After downloading the HandBrake installation file, double-click the file (with a. DMG extension), then double-click the “ HandBrake ” to install the program.
Step 2. Download the Burn program for MacOS
Burn is a free application that allows you to burn DVD movies that can be played on a Mac computer. Since Mac computers don't come with such an application, Burn can be a great application to get around the limitations. To download Burn:
- Visit
- Click the link " Download Burn ” to save the ZIP file to the “Downloads” folder. You can run the app later without installing it. For now, move on to the next step.
Step 3. Install Homebrew
Homebrew is a package manager for Mac computers that allows you to easily download and install programs, including the libraries needed to extract protected DVDs. Here's how to install Homebrew:
- Open the Terminal app. You can open it by clicking the Spotlight icon in the top right corner of the screen, typing in the terminal, and clicking “ Terminal ” in the search results.
- Type the following command: ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL
- Press Return to run the command.
- Follow the prompts displayed on the screen to complete the installation. Keep the Terminal window open when you're done.
Step 4. Type brew install libdvdcss into the Terminal window and press Return
The libraries needed to extract the protected DVD content will be installed on the computer. Follow the prompts that appear to confirm the installation.
Step 5. Insert the DVD you want to copy into the disc slot of the computer
If your computer does not have a built-in DVD-ROM drive, you can use an external one.
Step 6. Open HandBrake and select DVD
Once the app is installed, you can find it in the “Applications” folder. Information about the DVD will be displayed.
Step 7. Select a title from the “Title” drop-down menu
It's in the top-left corner of the window. If you only have one option, congratulations! If not, it's possible that the DVD includes some bonus features that need to be extracted separately. Choose the option with the longest duration to extract the main content. If you want to extract more files afterwards, you can do so by selecting a different title.
Step 8. Select a preset from the right pane
The options selected depend on the quality of the DVD. If you want sound with a surround effect, select one of the options labeled “ Surround ' in his name.
- If you are extracting a DVD sold in the United States, choose one of the presets with a quality of “480p”. If you are getting a DVD released for European countries, choose “576p” quality. Larger preset options will only make the file size bigger, and not improve the overall quality.
- If you don't see a panel displaying a list of qualities (e.g. " Very Fast 1080p30 ") on the right side of HandBrake, click the icon “ Toggle Presets ” in the upper right corner of the application window.
Step 9. Click Browse to select a save location
This button is in the " Destination " section. After selecting a folder (eg. Desktop "), click " Choose ” to mark options.
Step 10. Click Start
HandBrake will copy the DVD content to the selected location as an MP4 file. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the DVD and the speed of the DVD-ROM drive. HandBrake will notify you once the copying process is complete.
Remove the DVD from the drive after the copying process is complete
Step 11. Insert a blank DVD
Once a blank DVD is detected, its icon will be displayed on the desktop.
Step 12. Open Burn
This program is a DVD burning/copying program that you previously downloaded. Follow these steps to open it:
- Double click the file " BURN ” in the “Downloads” folder.
- Double click the folder " Burn " inside it.
- Double click the icon " Burn ” which is yellow and black.
Step 13. Click the Videos tab
This tab is at the top of the Burn window.
Step 14. Drag the extracted movie file to the Burn window
For example, if your MP4 file is on your desktop, drag it to the main area of the Burn window to add it to your copy/burn list. If you extracted multiple titles or files from one DVD, drag all the files you need into the Burn window.
If you are prompted to convert the file, click “ Convert ”, then follow the prompts that appear on the screen.
Step 15. Enter the DVD name
Type a name into the field at the top of the window.
Step 16. Click the Burn button
It's in the lower-right corner of the Burn window.
Step 17. Select preferences and click Burn
The program's default options usually don't need to be changed, but make sure you choose the right DVD-ROM drive. After clicking Burn ”, the movie will be copied to DVD. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the movie and the speed of the DVD-ROM drive. The progress bar will update instantly. After the copying process is complete, you will see a confirmation message.
Tips
Home videos and similar DVDs are almost always unprotected, while professional-made DVDs (eg movies) are always protected
Warning
- Copying DVD content for purposes other than personal use may be illegal in your area/country of residence.
- Modern DVDs have strict anti-ripping security features so some DVDs may not copy at all.
