How to Convert & Make Digital Copies of DVDs

So I know I'm gonna be dating myself when I say that I grew up in the age of VHS tapes, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. I still remember sitting back on the couch and watching some of my favorite movies with a bowl of popcorn. And I will admit it didn't happen very often, but there were a few times when I would get to a really good part, and the bloody DVD would skip. Now I know any young-ins reading this are asking themselves, why? Well, DVD discs are very fragile, and they always have been.

Why Are DVDs Not Popular Anymore?

My family used to have an entire movie library in the hallway closet dedicated to our DVD movie collection. We had so many DVDs and Blu-ray discs it would rival an old blockbuster store (for the Gen Z kids who are probably not reading this, that's an actual store to rent a wide range of movies… the OG Netflix, if you will).

Anyway, if you're like my father with an unreasonable amount of movies, or if you turned your precious home movies into DVDs, the question you should be asking yourself is, what do I do with them now?

What a DVD collection!

HOW DID TECHNOLOGY MAKE DVDS OBSOLETE?

Technology changes constantly, and the gradual evolution beyond DVDs and CD ROMs is just one of the many changes we've seen over the last what? Decade? I don't remember the last time I saw an honest-to-goodness DVD player in someone's home. Movies and online videos are all available via streaming now. DVDs are just not needed anymore.

What a blast from the past!

WHAT HAPPENS TO DVDS OVER TIME?

And don't get me started on the shelf life of a DVD. They're super easy to damage and susceptible to warping, "disc rot," and fading. One careless mishandling and it's scratched beyond repair. 

One wrong move and that DVD is gonna get scratched…

What Should I Do With My DVDs?

So here's my advice: Digitize your DVDs. You don't have to do this with your entire collection of movies because streaming services are a thing, and copying copyrighted DVDs is illegal. But if you have precious memories saved on DVDs, do yourself a favor and save them to a digital format. Of course, keep your DVDs, but have a backup copy for them. 

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO DIGITIZING DVDS?

If you digitize them, you will have easier access to your precious memories and the peace of mind that they are not slowly deteriorating in a box somewhere (or, goodness forbid, one of those large, soft CD/DVD folders that don't protect them at all). And just think of all that storage space you'll be saving!

SHOULD I DIY DIGITIZE MY DVDS OR GO TO A PROFESSIONAL?

When dealing with something fragile and irreplaceable, it's important to go to professional companies with digital preservation services. Can you digitize your DVDs at home? Yes, yes, you can. Can you create an Oscar-worthy movie at home? Also, yes, but sometimes you really shouldn't or can't. So, if you're having trouble, Forever Studios can turn your DVDs into digital movies that will last. 

How to Convert DVDs to Digital at Home:

Now, if you decide to digitize your DVDs yourself, more power to you. Please do your research, though, because the conversion process might be easy, but it's also easy to mess up.

WHAT DO I NEED TO CONVERT DVDS TO DIGITAL? 

If you're old school and have a computer with an optical disc drive, congratulations. You are a step ahead of everyone else in this process (while simultaneously being a step behind everyone technologically speaking). For everyone else, you'll have to get an external DVD drive. 

HOW MUCH IS AN EXTERNAL DVD DRIVE?

An external DVD drive will cost you between $25 and $150 or more. You might be asking yourself, why are they so bloody expensive? Well, the more expensive ones read Blu-ray discs.

An external DVD drive that probably costs an arm & a leg…

WHAT PROGRAM DO I NEED TO CONVERT DVDS INTO MP4 FILES?

You will need a video converter program to "rip" the digital content off the DVD format and turn it into an appropriate video file (i.e., MP4 files). There are free options online, but the better options, of course, come with a price.

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY VIDEO FILES?

Now that you have your MP4 files, you need a place to store them. Some will advise you to get an external hard drive that can handle a lot of data. I say go for an iCloud option or flash drive. I applaud your tenacity if you managed to get through all of that. 

Save your MP4 files on a flash drive!

Should I Send My DVDs to a Professional Media Preservation Company?

If you want an easier solution that doesn't require you to invest in equipment that you will only use once or twice, it's best to leave it to the professionals. Forever Studios is the most affordable professional option, and the company has proven results. With our exclusive Forever Cloud and USB options, your home videos will be safe, secure, and easily accessible!