How to Use VLC to Record DVD Movies on Your Computer

If you have a stack of DVDs sitting on the shelf, chances are you’ve thought about backing them up or saving your favorite scenes. VLC Media Player, being a free and widely used tool, makes this possible in a few different ways. The best part? You don’t need to juggle multiple apps or get into complicated software setups. VLC has just enough functionality built into it to handle DVD recording smoothly, once you know where to look.

Let’s break it down into the clearest methods you can use with VLC to record your DVD movies. No guesswork, no fluff.

How to Use VLC to Record DVD Movies

Using VLC’s Convert/Save Feature to Rip the Entire DVD

This is one of the most straightforward methods for burning a DVD in VLC. When you “convert” in VLC, it just means you’re copying the video off the disc into a file format such as MP4 or AVI. The process is easy, but it gets the job done.

Start by opening VLC and going to the “Media” tab. Select “Convert/Save,” then click on the “Disc” tab. From there, choose “DVD” and make sure the correct disc device is selected. Once you hit “Convert/Save,” you’ll need to choose the format and destination for your output file. You can stick with the default settings or tweak the codec if you want a smaller file size or a specific resolution.

This method is best when you want to save the full movie as a single file. You won’t be stopping and starting playback manually. Just press the buttons, wait a bit, and you’ll get your movie saved to your drive.

Recording a Specific Scene or Section While Playing the DVD

If you’re only interested in a clip instead of the whole thing, the built-in recording feature is what you need. It’s as easy as hitting a button during playback. But that button might not be visible by default.

To set it up, go to the “View” tab and click on “Advanced Controls.” This adds a small red record button near the play button. Now, when your DVD is playing, you can press this record button to start capturing — and press it again to stop.

The recorded clip is saved in your “Videos” folder by default, usually in .mpg format. It doesn’t need any extra conversion and is instantly playable. This works well if you just want a memorable scene or are creating a highlight collection.

One thing to keep in mind: this method is manual. You’ll need to be ready to press record at the right time and stop it when you’re done.

Recording Through VLC’s Command Line (For More Control)

If you like a bit more control or want to batch process a few DVDs, VLC’s command line interface is an option. It might sound technical, but if you’re comfortable typing out a few commands, it gives you more precision.

You can open Command Prompt or Terminal (depending on your OS) and use something like:

vlc dvd://D@1 --sout "#file{dst=C:\Videos\movie.mp4}"

This command tells VLC to play the DVD from the drive and record it into a file. You can tweak the path, format, and audio settings by adding more parameters.

Why would you use this instead of the regular menu? Maybe you want to automate the task. Maybe you don’t want VLC’s interface to open every time. Or maybe you need to script it for multiple discs. Either way, the command line approach gives you those extra options without the need for extra software.

Using VLC to Stream and Record in Real Time

VLC can also stream DVD playback over a network and save the stream at the same time. While it sounds a bit advanced, the setup isn’t that different from the convert/save method. Start by opening the disc using “Media > Stream” instead of “Convert/Save.” You’ll walk through a similar series of windows, but this time, you’ll choose both a stream destination and a local file to save it.

This is useful if you’re watching a DVD on one device but want to record it on another. Or maybe you want to back up the movie while still keeping an eye on the playback. Just be sure you have a network that is strong enough to support the stream without interruptions.

This method also gives you a chance to fine-tune things like bitrate, resolution, and file format before you start recording.

Extracting Individual Titles or Chapters Instead of the Whole Movie

Some DVDs are structured with multiple titles — the main movie, trailers, bonus content, and so on. If you want just one part, like the movie but not the extras, you can use VLC’s title and chapter controls.

Start by opening the disc and letting it load. Then, go to “Playback > Title” and choose the one you want. Do the same for chapters if needed. Once you’ve selected the part you’re after, return to the convert/save menu, and VLC will use your current playback section as the source.

This keeps your output clean and focused, without unwanted extras or dead air. It’s especially helpful if you’re working with series DVDs or compilation discs with many short videos.

Closing Thoughts

VLC isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable. Whether you want to save the entire movie, capture just a scene, or even stream and record across devices, VLC makes it possible without needing extra downloads. All it takes is knowing where the right buttons and settings are.

Each of these methods gives you a slightly different result depending on your need: full movies, short clips, raw files, or synced outputs. Try the one that fits what you’re after — and once you’ve done it once, you’ll know exactly how to do it again.

For more tips on maximizing VLC’s capabilities, check out VLC Official Site.