How to Get Digital Copies of Movies You Already Own

Streaming makes it easy to watch movies and TV shows across devices, but many people still have valuable content stored only on DVD. Physical discs can take up space, get scratched, or simply become inconvenient when newer laptops, tablets, TVs, and phones do not have built-in DVD drives.

If you have a personal DVD collection, creating digital access can make playback and backup much easier. This applies not only to feature films, but also to TV-series box sets, concert discs, family recordings, and workout or training programs that you may want to follow without carrying a disc and DVD player around.

There are two different approaches. You can create local digital files from DVDs you own and keep them on your own computer, drive, or device. Or, for eligible movie titles, you can use a commercial Disc to Digital service that adds an electronic copy to a cloud-based library. The two options are not the same, so choose based on where and how you want to watch your collection.

Workout, fitness, and training DVDs: Collections such as dance workouts, ballet programs, INSANITY, 21 Day Fix, or FOCUS T25 may contain multiple routines across one or more discs. Instead of focusing on a specific brand, treat each disc as a multi-title collection: choose the routines you need, keep the correct audio/subtitles, and save them in a device-friendly format for offline viewing on a phone, tablet, laptop, or TV.

Whole-disc backups: Choose ISO or VIDEO_TS when you want to preserve the complete disc structure. A normal MP4 or MKV file is easier to play, but it does not reproduce an interactive DVD menu in the same way as a full-disc backup.

Physically damaged discs: Ripping software may help you avoid further wear on a readable disc, but it cannot reliably recover sectors that a DVD drive can no longer read. For important collections, digitize them while the discs are still in good condition.

Vudu is now branded as Fandango at Home, and Disc to Digital is still listed as a feature. This option is different from ripping a DVD: it does not create a local MP4, MKV, or ISO file on your computer. Instead, an eligible physical DVD or Blu-ray can be converted into an electronic copy stored in your Fandango library for streaming through supported devices.

In general, sign in to your Fandango at Home account on a supported mobile device, open Disc to Digital, and follow the on-screen instructions to scan the UPC/barcode on the original disc case. If the title is eligible, choose the available digital quality and complete the purchase. The electronic copy will then be added to your library.

Keep in mind that not every disc is eligible. Fandango's current policy says the program applies to legitimately purchased and presently owned eligible physical Blu-ray and DVD titles, with a maximum of 100 Disc to Digital conversions per calendar year. Some conversions may also require a linked Movies Anywhere account. Eligibility, pricing, supported devices, and other requirements can change, so check the current Disc to Digital page before starting.

Which method should you choose? Use Disc to Digital when you have an eligible movie and prefer a cloud library. Use a desktop DVD ripper when you need local files, want to digitize TV episodes or workout routines, or need an ISO/VIDEO_TS backup under the laws that apply to you.

Also see: Vudu/Fandango Disc to Digital Not Working | Rip/Convert/Upload DVD to Cloud | Fix DVD Rip Errors