Disc to Digital: How to Convert DVDs to MP4 and Save What Matters

DVD Player for Laptop: A Quick Fix or a Frustrating Relic?

Most laptops today don’t come with a DVD player built in. That can be a problem when you stumble across old DVDs with home movies, graduation speeches, or travel videos—and realize there’s no way to play them.

You can buy an external DVD player for laptop for about $30, and plug it into your USB port. But these devices aren’t always reliable with aging or scratched discs. Worse, they can’t convert your video—just play it.

If you’re trying to do more than watch—if you want to save those videos—it’s time to consider converting your disc to digital.

Convert DVD to MP4: Your Best Long-Term Format

MP4 is the most universally accepted digital video format today. It’s compatible with phones, TVs, cloud storage platforms, and editing software.

So how do you convert DVD to MP4? You’ll need three things:

1. A functioning DVD drive

2. The right software (like HandBrake or VLC)

3. Time and patience to load and convert each disc

But even then, the process doesn’t always go smoothly—especially if the disc is unreadable. If your home movie skips or freezes, read our guide on overcoming playback issues to see how to recover what’s left.

DVD Converter Services: Are They Worth It?

Searches for where can I get DVDs copied often lead people to big box stores or services that still put videos onto new discs. But DVDs degrade just like tapes—sometimes faster.

Instead, look for a DVD to digital service that gives you a high-resolution MP4 you can store, share, and enjoy again.

Heirloom offers a smarter way to convert DVDs to digital—uploadable to the cloud with no bulky files, no scratched discs, and no subscription pressure. Plus, if you’ve already tried a service like Legacybox or iMemories and were left with poor-quality results, our team can even rescue what they couldn’t.

Where Can I Get DVDs Copied If I Want to Keep the Original?

Some people want a backup DVD. Others want everything in the cloud. If you’re wondering where can I get DVDs copied with both options, America’s best specialty conversion service will let you choose. At Heirloom, we return your originals, create MP4s, and upload everything to a private cloud where you can download or share anytime.

📧 Want more tips like this?

Subscribe to Heirloom emails to learn how to preserve your priceless memories. Get discount codes for expedited shipping, quality digitizing, and secure cloud storage. We never spam, and it’s easy to unsubscribe at any time.