How to Extract Video From a DVD

By Marshal M. Rosenthal

Video files can be extracted from a DVD using the Widows operating system.
i dvd image by vashistha pathak from Fotolia.com

A DVD contains a series of video files stored in a way that is not similar to that of a hard drive. To extract the video from a DVD of a home movie you made, use the Widows operating system's built-in copy utility. The procedure is straightforward and does not require any expertise in how a DVD works or the need for any additional software. Extracting the video file from the DVD will not harm the DVD in any way.

Eject the disc tray of the DVD drive. Place the DVD on the disc tray. Close the disc tray.

Click the "Start" button at the bottom, left of the screen. Select "My Computer" or "Computer" from the pop-up menu.

Click the "Folders" tab at the top of the window that appears. Click the icon of the DVD drive that is in the left column of the window.

Double-click the "Video_TS" folder that is in the center column of the window.

Click the "View" tab at the top of the window. Select "Details" from the drop-down menu.

Select each of the video files from the center column with the mouse while holding down the "Cntrl" key; the video files all end with "VOB."

Drag the video files out of the window and onto the desktop. Wait as a copy progress bar appears, fills in from right to left and then disappears.

Right-click the icon of the DVD drive that is in the window's left column. Select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. Close the window by clicking the red "X" in the upper, right corner.

Eject the disc tray. Remove the DVD and close the tray.

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