# How do I copy a dvd-r to my computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 18, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714 "2013-02-18T17:09:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/1 "2013-02-18T17:09:21Z")
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but these trivial family get-together things I’d like to upload to either facebook or youtube. I know how to upload, but I don’t know that I can upload directly from my dvd drive. Maybe I can, and I don’t need to copy it to my computer first? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/2 "2013-02-18T17:18:33Z")
The DVD-R is just the storage media. What type of file do you want to upload from it? You may need to do a conversion before uploading (free software should take care of that). You can just open a DVD drive like you can a hard disk. You can drag and drop the files on it to wherever else you want including a hard disk, flash drive, etc. You can usually upload directly from a DVD drive as well. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/3 "2013-02-18T17:24:59Z")
Hmmm. . . no idea. It was copied from VHS to DVD-R, so I have no idea what type of file format is used (and won’t until I get home). ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/4 "2013-02-18T17:27:54Z")
You need to “rip” it. In other words, convert it from the DVD .VOB format to some type of mpeg. On the Mac, I use Handbrake - I don’t know the equivalent tool on Windows. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/5 "2013-02-18T18:24:13Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > You need to “rip” it. > In other words, convert it from the DVD .VOB format to some type of mpeg. > > On the Mac, I use Handbrake - I don’t know the equivalent tool on Windows. Handbrake is available for Windows too and it is free. It does sound like the OP needs some sort of ripping software to convert from a DVD video format to a universal video format. Handbrake is as good as any for that. Just download it, install it, and follow the directions. The DVD will be your source and the hard drive will be your destination. > **[HandBrake for Windows - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download](https://download.cnet.com/handbrake/3000-2194_4-10808250.html?ex=RAMP-3079.1)** > > Download HandBrake latest version for Windows free. HandBrake latest update: February 25, 2025 ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/6 "2013-02-18T23:22:10Z")
I use \*\*FreeRIP \*\*on Windows. Very simple, utilitarian interface, easy to use. A DVD-R with home movies on it will not cause any copyright issues. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/7 "2013-02-18T23:59:42Z")
[Freemake](http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter/) is about the easiest free utility I’ve seen. It will let you convert an entire dvd to say avi, mkv, etc or you can convert individual chapters. I think it defaults to selecting all of the main chapters for you and will concatenate those into one video file but you can override this behavior pretty easily. ---
**Author:** ![EatTheSun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@EatTheSun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EatTheSun)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2013, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-a-dvd-r-to-my-computer/650714/9 "2013-08-02T09:46:26Z")
I’ll third handbrake. Very user friendly, free, and converts quickly.