# How to load a DVD (ca. 2003) onto Youtube? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962 "2021-08-03T12:34:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roger\_That](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roger_that/32/8505_2.png) [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/1 "2021-08-03T12:34:48Z")
I made a documentary (32 minutes) in 2003, and had 100 or so copies of a DVD to be made, of which I’ve given away maybe 75 or 80. Rather than hoard my remaining DVDs, which are beginning to deteriorate (pixels, freezing, etc.), I’d like to put this DVD on Youtube (or elsewhere–please feel free to suggest a better online site) but have never done this and don’t have clue one. I do have an external DVD player for my laptop, so that seems a likely pathway, but how do I actually do it? ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/2 "2021-08-03T12:56:03Z")
How did you save the files? When writing to a DVD, I usually just save them as video files. As a result, my DVDs probably could not be played on a DVD player. However you may have saved them as video\_ts files, in which case you would have to convert them to another format first. (I’ve been told VLC can convert anything.) > **[Easy Steps to Convert TS to MP4 Using VLC](https://videoconverter.wondershare.com/convert/ts-to-mp4-with-vlc.html)** > > Want to learn how to convert TS to MP4 VLC quickly and easily? Follow this guidepost to find the step-by-step guide about how to convert TS files to MP4 with VLC and the fastest alternative way and 4 free online ways to change TS to MP4. Once you have files in MP4 format, I would (at least temporarily) store the files on my computer, then upload to Youtube. Of course this also depends on the size of the file(s). I’ve seen 2 hour videos on Youtube so I know Youtube can upload large files, even though most videos are short (and I often hear the uploader saying the video is getting too long so they will do a part 2, etc). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/3 "2021-08-03T13:23:42Z")
I would start by trying to clone the entire DVD as a raw image, or at least mount it on your computer and copy all the content, possibly making use of multiple DVDs to reconstruct the files in case some of the discs are corrupted. Are you able to get the data onto your computer and view the video in VLC without any green squares, freezing, or other errors? After you have a clean copy, it is not a problem to convert from MPEG-2, but you should upload the mp2 file as-is after “ripping” from DVD (the video\_ts folder) to just a normal video file-- I think the trick will be mostly getting a copy onto your computer in the first place if the DVDs are corroded. (If it’s not too bad you may be able to patch together several attempted copies), ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/4 "2021-08-03T13:33:48Z")
Did you use any music in the video? YouTube will often reject uploads for copyright. Or they send a take down notice later. Otherwise you should be fine with video you shot yourself. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/5 "2021-08-03T13:36:48Z")
Yes, if you have all your old clips and master files then there is no reason to mess around with physical DVDs, just prepare a nice high-quality digital video instead! ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/6 "2021-08-03T13:49:01Z")
If the disc is playable, you can use [MakeMKV](https://www.makemkv.com/) (it’s free) to transfer the data to your computer. MKV is a multimedia container. Then use [HandBrake](https://handbrake.fr/) (also free) to convert the MKV format to MP4 format to upload to Youtube. Handbrake will also perform data compression to reduce the size of the MP4 file, if needed. I’ve used these two programs for years to transfer all of my DVDs and Blu-Rays to hard disc. They are both safe and easy to use. As noted upthread - Youtube will catch any music or video copyright violations and prevent uploading. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/7 "2021-08-03T13:52:21Z")
“I made a documentary (32 minutes) in 2003…” Then you had a digital file already, before writing to the DVD. Do you still have that file? If it’s an MPG-type file, Youtube will accept that (and many other formats). If your DVDs are deteriorating after only 20 years, you either (1) have poor quality substrate, (2) are storing them wrong (store them in a cool, dark place), or (3) your reader is not working properly. I have DVDs from 25 years ago and older CDs that read perfectly, so it’s not a given that they fail over time. The length of file YT will accept depends on several factors. They are skittish about posting 2 hours videos for new or barely-used accounts. And their allowances have increased as technology and storage has increased. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/8 "2021-08-03T13:57:58Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > convert the MKV format to MP4 YouTube does its own conversions; absolutely no point in pre-converting. What you need to do is “rip” the (damaged!!) DVDs. Honestly, I would go back to the original master file which is surely heaps better than DVD quality, anyway. > [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Youtube will catch any music or video copyright violations and prevent uploading. The YouTube robot will turn your uploading experience into a living nightmare, sure, but (and especially because) how would they have any idea what music and video you licensed? Not to mention people getting their own original work flagged, etc. I would avoid YouTube like the plague unless you have a reason not to. Consider the internet archive instead. It is a non-profit organization. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/9 "2021-08-03T14:00:53Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > convert the MKV format to MP4 format to upload to Youtube You can upload MKV directly; I record all of the videos I upload in MKV. > [@Kimera757](#): > > I’ve seen 2 hour videos on Youtube so I know Youtube can upload large files, even though most videos are short (and I often hear the uploader saying the video is getting too long so they will do a part 2, etc). There are “rules” (in the Pirate’s Code sense) about video length for monetization; generally shorter length is better, because you essentially make the same amount of money, whether 15 minutes or 60 minutes, but more people have the attention span to sit through 15 minutes than can sit through an hour. That’s the main reason most YouTubers will split things into multiple parts. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/10 "2021-08-03T14:03:51Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > YouTube does its own conversions Huh. Ignorance fought - thank you. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/11 "2021-08-03T14:08:37Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > You can upload MKV directly; I record all of the videos I upload in MKV. Nb mkv is a container format. It can potentially hold a lot of different audio and video codecs. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/12 "2021-08-03T14:19:06Z")
My own ignorance fought! Looks like I am actually natively recording in MP4 after all, just into an MKV container. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/13 "2021-08-03T14:33:58Z")
Since the OP is open to suggestions about sites, I would suggest looking at Vimeo. It’s more “professional” in some ways than Youtube. The flip side is that you have to buy a subscription to get access to all the features. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/14 "2021-08-03T15:51:31Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > If your DVDs are deteriorating after only 20 years, you either (1) have poor quality substrate, (2) are storing them wrong (store them in a cool, dark place), or (3) your reader is not working properly. I have DVDs from 25 years ago and older CDs that read perfectly, so it’s not a given that they fail over time. Are the OP’s professionally-produced DVD’s, or home-burned DVD-R’s? Are yours? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/15 "2021-08-03T16:09:13Z")
Both. Professionally-produced, if stamped, DVDs & CDs are pretty much immune to light, but home-burned ones are MADE by light. It’s not surprising that long-term exposure to light, even low-level light like room lighting, will have an effect on longevity. Put a burned DVD out on your desk or a shelf for a few months. Cover half of it with cardboard or other opaque item. After time, the difference between the halves should be noticeable, and it might not be readable. Do the same thing in direct sunlight and the process will be faster. ---
**Author:** ![Roger\_That](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roger_that/32/8505_2.png) [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/16 "2021-08-03T16:46:49Z")
Hard to say for sure (it was 18 years ago) but I had them made by someone who did this for a living, so I assume he made the 100 DVDs professionally. I had a pretty good crew, who worked mostly for the credit (I wrote, narrated, and hustled) who contributed a lot of valuable tech skill (editing, shooting, processing) which left poor tech-unsavvy pretty hopeless in figuring out any of that stuff on my own. I too have DVDs that old that play fine–this one just has an occasional dropout or three, sometimes a frame pauses where it shouldn’t but it’s basically playable now. I’m just concerned about it being unplayable in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-a-dvd-ca-2003-onto-youtube/947962/17 "2021-08-03T19:24:46Z")
If you had 100 DVDs made commercially, they were probably stamped, not burned. I’m pretty sure that’s how [discmakers.com](http://discmakers.com) does it now. 100 disks is the minimum order for duplication. For archiving, stamped would be preferable. Regarding long-term data preservation, there is no perfect solution. The best advice available suggests storing the same data in different ways, on different media, and migrating from one format to another as technology changes. However, don’t destroy your original data and media. You never know when it might come in handy or when a copy is found to be corrupted. You can also invest in high-quality media. [Discmakers.com](http://Discmakers.com) has several grades available. Since the difference in cost per disk is only pennies, I always opt for the highest quality, sometimes called Medical Grade.