by Roxanne Jones

Created on: February 08, 2010   Last Updated: June 23, 2010

Making a duplicate or a copy of a DVD is a relatively easy matter. Copying DVDs should be used to backup your movie collection or give friends and family home videos. First off, Make sure you own the DVD that you are going to copy. Copying a copyrighted DVD that you do not own is illegal. Secondly, do not sell any copies of commercial movies. If you are caught doing this you can be fined or put in jail.

1. Download DVD copying software

There are many versions of free DVD copying software out that can be downloaded for free. DVD Shrink, CloneDVD, and DVD Decrypter are just a few examples. Some DVDs have encryption on them to stop people from making copies and selling them. Software like DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter should get around this and there is also a program called AnyDVD that can do this software only offers a 30 day trial before you have to purchase it.

DVD Shrink can be Downloaded here

Clone DVD here

DVD Decrypter here

and Any DVD here.

2. Install the DVD copying software on your computer or laptop.

3. Insert the DVD a DVD rewritable hard drive that is connected to your computer. These come standard with most computers and laptops but they sometimes have to be purchased separately.

4. Copy the software using the instructions given in the DVD copying software. Most programs just require you to click on a button that says Backup.

5. Specify the drive that you want the copied DVD movie to be placed. Make sure there is enough hard drive space in the location where you place the folder carrying the copied DVD files whether it is  your hard drive, for example your C drive (C:), or a flash drive. You usually need at most 4.7 GB for a regular DVD or 8.5 GB for certain larger DVDs.

6. Once the copying process is complete, take out the DVD and place a blank DVD into your DVD drive. These can be purchased and any computer store either as DVD -R or DVD +R (most people recommend DVD -R). Make sure to buy a blank DVD that has enough space for the DVD files that you copied. 4.7GB for regular DVDs and 8.5GB for larger ones.

7. Burn the DVD.

Congratulations! You now have a copy of your favorite DVD.

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