How to Copy Blu-ray Discs: Ultimate Guide for Hard Drive, PC, DVD

I have spent more than a decade reviewing Blu-ray drives, automation software, and home-theater setups. In that time, disc copying moved from a niche hobby to a common task. I archive out-of-print titles and maintain a lossless library for a 4K projector. Along the way I have hit most pitfalls: corrupt sectors, slow reads, and incompatible firmware. Demand for reliable Blu-ray backups remains high as physical media becomes harder to find.

If you want to copy a Blu-ray for preservation, convenience, or peace of mind, this guide outlines the key steps. I draw on tested workflows and hands-on experience to help you avoid common snags and choose suitable tools.

Copy Blu-ray Disc: What Do You Need to Prepare?

Before copying Blu-ray discs, there are several crucial things you need to prepare in order to perform this task successfully.

📌Blu-ray Disc Drive: As regular DVD drives are incompatible with Blu-ray, you will need a writer that can handle Blu-ray discs.

📌Blank Blu-ray Discs: If you want a physical copy of the Blu-ray disc, you will require blank Blu-ray discs to write the copied data onto.

📌Blu-ray Copying Software: Many software options on the market specialize in copying Blu-ray discs. We will introduce 3 best ones in the following part.

If you're a movie lover with a large Blu-ray collection, you may want backups for playback on other devices. With the right software, copying a Blu-ray is a straightforward process. The sections below outline practical methods for Windows and macOS.

Copy Blu-ray to Hard Drive (Full-Disc Backup)

DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper

DVDFab Blu-ray Copy

A full-featured Blu-ray copier that effectively copy Blu-rays. Maintaining the original quality, it allows users to copy Blu-ray movie to various output forms, including Blu-ray AVCHD disc, ISO image, or folder. The software can also convert 3D Blu-ray to 2D or Blu-ray SBS 3D. 

Based on hands-on testing, DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper has been a consistently reliable Blu-ray backup tool. The interface is straightforward, with clear step-by-step flows that help newcomers. Full-disc and main-movie copies require minimal setup. Its broad disc support and frequent updates keep compatibility current with new releases. On my system, GPU acceleration and multi-core processing shorten jobs substantially; tasks that took hours with older tools now finish in less than half the time. Built-in logging and flexible output targets (ISO, BDMV folders, and mobile-ready files) cover common archiving needs and Plex workflows.

On forums such as RedFox and VideoHelp, users often report steady results on difficult discs and uncommon region variants. Long-time collectors point to the stable engine and quick updates as reasons they return to it. The support community is active, with moderators and staff involved, and release notes often land alongside major disc launches. I value its balance between simple defaults and detailed controls, which suits both first-time users and experienced archivists. Among commercial Blu-ray copy tools, it remains my primary recommendation.

💻Available on: 

👍Key Features:

• Remove any copy protection from old or latest Blu-rays to enable backup.
• 1:1 Copy any Blu-ray disc to blank disc or save it as an ISO file or folder to PC.
• Copy and burn any ISO files or Folders to Blu-ray disc.
• Lossless backup a disc to BD-50 or compress it to common BD-25.
• Copy any 3D Blu-ray disc and better preserve the 3D effects.
• Support batch Blu-ray copying mode.
• Get faster Blu-ray copying speed with GPU-accelerated technology.
• Remove Cinavia and copy Blu-ray as clean audio.

👎Cons:

• The trial version only supports two copy modes.

DVDFab provides a 30-Day free trial. During the trial period, you can fully rip 3 DVDs and 3 Blu-ray discs for free, and you can also experience various advanced features during the copying process. After the trial ends, it will automatically transition to the free version DVDFab HD Decrypter with limited functions.

How to Copy Blu-ray Discs with DVDFab Blu-ray Copy Losslessly?

Step 1: Launch DVDFab and load your source Blu-ray.

Free download, run DVDFab 13, and opt for the Copy module when it runs. Insert the BD disc into the attached Blu-ray drive, then the software will recognize it automatically and show you what to do next. You can also click the Add button or drag & drop an ISO file or folder onto the main UI.

Step 2: Choose one copy mode and customize the output Blu-ray.

First, choose a mode before you get started. There are nine modes available at present, and each of them represents what kind of output you want to acquire at the end.

DVDFab fully supports lossless copying of Blu-ray and DVD discs. By using features like "Full Disc"  or "Main Movie" copy modes, you can back up your discs to your PC as ISO files or folders while preserving the original video and audio quality without any compression or loss. This ensures a 1:1 copy of your source disc, including all menus, subtitles, and audio tracks, which is ideal if you want to keep the best possible quality for personal backup and playback.

Then, you can define the volume label and change other Blu-ray copy options including output size, titles, chapters, audio tracks and subtitles.

Besides, you can also adjust other Settings according to your preferences. Click the "Advanced Settings" and you will see a couple of buttons which stand for various purposes such as audio option, Cinavia protection disablement, HD Audio Removal.

DVDFab Blu-ray Copy supports lossless compression, allowing users to back up their Blu-ray discs while preserving the original video and audio quality. With this feature, users can compress larger discs (such as BD-50 to BD-25) without sacrificing quality.

Step 3: Select an output directory and tart to copy Blu-rays

Finally, select your output directory as a blank disc, ISO file, or folder, and click the Start button. You can get detailed progress information or cancel the Blu-ray copy task anytime you like.

BD-Cloner

From my review sessions, BD-Cloner comes across as a focused Blu-ray copying utility. The interface is plain but clear, with control over output type, layer breaks, and which extras to include. In use, it proved reliable with standard discs and many recent releases, producing ISO and folder backups without issues. Processing times were somewhat longer than DVDFab on some newer titles, but stability held up. BD-Cloner suits users who want step-by-step visibility and a stripped-down workflow.

Feedback on AVSForum and VideoHelp is similar. Users describe steady results on worn discs or minor read errors, and they like that the tool flags problem sectors while continuing the job. Several threads note that updates for some new titles can trail the fastest tools, so UHD collectors should check compatibility before starting. In my experience, BD-Cloner is a sound choice for straightforward backups. It may update more slowly than DVDFab, yet it fills a steady niche for legacy-disc archiving.

💻Available on: Windows 7/10/11

👍Key Features:

• Copy Blu-ray movies to blank discs or as Blu-ray folders or ISO image files.
• Bypass some Blu-ray protections and remove Cinavia watermarks.
• Allow copying entire Blu-ray disc excluding unnecessary extras.
• Enable duplicating just the main movie, smartly detecting the primary content.
• Divide a large Blu-ray movie into two smaller discs with option to retain menus.

👎Cons:

• The trial version allows for 1 Blu-ray copy only.
• Unable to select the preferred title, subtitle, or audio to retain.
• Unable to copy 3D Blu-ray movies or preserve 3D effect.
• Some users have reported on Amazon that the program installation process is complicated and often fails.

How to Copy Blu-ray Discs with Blue-Cloner?

Step 1: After installation, launch Blue-Cloner. You will by default be presented with the Express interface. If it's not visible, locate and click on the "Switch to express" icon at the top right corner.

Step 2: Insert the Blu-ray movie you want to copy into your Blu-ray drive. The software will recognize the disc and show the movie name and size in a scrolling bar. Once the source Blu-ray movie is detected, click the "Start" button to initiate the copying process.

Step 3: When data reading is finished, you will be prompted to insert a blank disc. If you're using two drives – one for reading and one for burning – you can insert the blank disk before starting the task. After placing a blank BD-R/RE, the software will initiate the burning process.

Step 4: The completion screen will be displayed once the burning process is fully completed. Enjoy your cloned Blu-ray movie.

MakeMKV

After extended use, MakeMKV has been a fast, lossless Blu-ray ripper in my workflow. The workflow is straightforward: insert a disc, scan for titles, and extract video, audio, and subtitles to an MKV without re-encoding. Frequent, free beta updates keep compatibility current with new releases. I use MakeMKV to build a personal library, especially when I want playback on multiple devices without re-encoding and when I want to avoid large ISO files.

On Reddit and Doom9, users note its short learning curve and steady results on standard discs. Many appreciate the simple remux for main-movie content; newcomers find it approachable, and advanced users value the detailed track and chapter information. Some users point out that MakeMKV relies on external tools for compression or transcoding, so it is best for lossless archiving rather than small, portable files. In my experience, MakeMKV delivers what it promises: straightforward, lossless rips for collectors who prioritize source quality.

💻Available on: Windows 7 and later; Mac 10.7 and later; Linux

👍Key Features:

• Most features are available for free while the software is in beta.
• Copies Blu-ray/DVD contents to MKV with no loss in video or audio quality.
• Retains all video, audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters.
• Simple and easy-to-navigate, suitable even for beginners.
• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

👎Cons:

• Only outputs MKV files; does not convert to other formats directly.
• The resulting files are large, as it doesn't shrink or compress the video.
• Doesn't provide editing or customization options (trimming, cropping, etc.).
• Cannot output directly to ISO or disc folders; only MKV files.

How to Copy Blu-ray Discs with MakeMKV?

Step 1: Download, install, and launch the software

Get MakeMKV from the official website, install it on your Windows PC, and open the program to start.

Step 2: Insert and load your Blu-ray disc

Place your Blu-ray disc into the drive and let the software scan and load the disc content automatically.

Step 3: Select Titles, Tracks and other options

After scanning, you'll see a list of titles (typically, the main movie, bonus features, etc.). Check the boxes for the titles, audio tracks, and subtitles you wish to keep.

Step 4: Choose the output destination

Set the destination folder where you want the MKV files saved.

Step 6: Start copying

Click the Start button to begin the process, then wait until the software completes your Blu-ray copy.

Copy Blu-ray to PC/Computer as ISO

BurnAware

I have used BurnAware for straightforward optical-disc tasks for years. For copying Blu-ray discs to ISO on a PC, its simplicity helps. The interface is simple and clear: choose "Copy to ISO", select the source drive, and set a destination path. In testing, it handled home-authored and commercial Blu-rays when no active copy protection was present. It is effective for archival ISO backups of unencrypted discs and uses few system resources, even on older desktops and laptops.

User reports on BleepingComputer and VideoHelp mention easy setup, a low rate of burn or copy errors, and reliable drive detection across older Super Multi units and recent UHD Blu-ray burners. My tests and peer comments also show that BurnAware does not copy discs with AACS or BD+; encrypted content is not supported. It works best for homemade videos, camera backups, or older releases without modern protections. Some users pair it with other software that handles decryption before using BurnAware for ISO archival.

💻Available on: Windows Vista 7, 8, 10, 11

👍Key Features:

• Rip Blu-ray to ISO and BIN disc images
• Back up multisession discs, ensuring none of your data is lost.
• Recovery from damaged or unreadable discs
• Burn ISO images onto multiple discs simultaneously.

👎Cons:

• "Copy disc" is only available in Premium and Professional editions.
• It can only copy unprotected Blu-ray discs.
• The package includes additional software.
• It doesn't support selecting titles, audio tracks, or subtitles.

How to Copy Blu-ray to PC with BurnAware?

Step 1: Open the main window and select the Disk Backup or Copy Disc icon, after that choose your drive where the Blu-ray source to be copied is located in a new window.

Step 2: Configure Copy Settings

• Copy Disc: this option allows you to back up your Blu-ray as a single ISO file on your PC, which you can mount to play directly.
• Disc Backup: this option will copy the original Blu-ray contents directly to the new disc.

Step 3: Identify the destination drive in which the copied data will be stored.

Step 4: Initiate the copying process by clicking the Copy button.

Copy Blu-ray to DVD (Down-Conversion)

Why Copy Blu-ray to DVD?

Blu-ray is still the main format for high-definition home video. Many people do not own a Blu-ray player, or they run into compatibility issues. DVD remains useful in several situations. You might want to share a film with relatives who have DVD-only gear. Classrooms and community centers often have computers with only DVD drives. Clients sometimes ask for DVDs as keepsakes after weddings or recitals. Many portable players and car systems read only this format. In these cases, converting a Blu-ray to DVD offers wider playback and simple access.

DVDs also work as a backup for important content. If a Blu-ray is lost or the player is not available, you still have a copy. You do give up image detail: 1080p from Blu-ray does not fit within DVD capacity. For many uses, the convenience and reach of DVD offset that loss. In my experience and in reports from other enthusiasts, keeping DVD versions on hand helps bridge the format gap. That gap is still common in homes and public venues.

Copy Blu-ray to DVD with DVDFab Blu-ray to DVD Computer

After testing dozens of conversion tools over the years, I find DVDFab Blu-ray to DVD Converter reliable and easy to use. It integrates with the DVDFab suite. The menus let you choose the main feature, add custom subtitles, and set compression targets for DVD-5 or DVD-9. In side-by-side trials, I saw fewer subtitle-timing and audio-sync issues than with several other tools. Frequent updates have helped keep those results consistent.

👍Pros:

• Clear workflow, plus compatibility with both simple and advanced hardware setups.
• Reliable subtitle and audio sync, even after significant compression.
• Smooth integration with other DVDFab modules for an all-in-one experience.

👎Cons:

• Conversion from HD to DVD inevitably loses detail — expected but worth noting.

How to Copy Blu-ray to DVD with DVDFab Blu-ray to DVD Converter?

Getting started with DVDFab's Blu-ray to DVD conversion is refreshingly uncomplicated, based on my own step-by-step sessions:

Step 1: Launch DVDFab and select the "Blu-ray to DVD Converter" module.

Step 2: Insert your source Blu-ray disc. The software automatically scans for the main movie and bonus features.

Step 3: Choose the desired title(s), then select audio tracks and subtitle streams as needed.

Step 4: Decide on DVD-5 (single-layer) or DVD-9 (dual-layer) output, and verify PAL/NTSC format based on your playback region.

Step 5: Confirm all settings and start the conversion. DVDFab re-encodes the video, shrinking HD content to DVD specs—a process typically taking 1–2 hours, depending on system speed and disc complexity.

Troubleshooting: Common Issues When Copying Blu-ray Discs

Even with planning and capable hardware, problems still appear during Blu-ray copying. After ripping hundreds of discs and comparing notes with home-theater enthusiasts, the same issues recur.

Read errors (CRC or seek failures)

The most frequent issue is a mid-copy read error, such as "CRC error detected", "read failed", or repeated spin-ups that stall progress. The usual causes are scratched, dirty, or degraded discs. A failing or dusty drive can also be at fault. In my setup, switching to a second drive—often a different brand—solves borderline cases. LG and Pioneer models each handle marginal discs with their own quirks. On AVSForum, users recommend careful cleaning. As a last resort, some use recovery software or hardware-level error skipping, though the latter is uncommon on consumer drives.

A/V sync problems

Audio can drift out of sync during transcoding or remuxing. This is more likely when the system is under heavy load, or when the source uses non-standard multiplexing (rare, but seen on some Asian or special-edition releases). MakeMKV and DVDFab usually handle these cases, yet a few discs rip cleanly with only one tool. Practical fixes include re-ripping the affected segment, reducing background load, and updating to the latest version, as developers often patch edge-case sync issues.

Subtitle problems (garbled, invisible, misaligned)

Subtitles may be missing, rendered with odd fonts or sizes, or out of sync. Forced subtitles are a common source of confusion, since tools differ in their defaults. Always preview the output in VLC or MPC-HC and check every track. In some cases, hard-coding forced subs or remuxing with MKVToolNix avoids tool-specific rendering bugs.

Miscellaneous: ISO corruption, partial copies, playback glitches

An ISO or MKV may play on one device and fail on another. Typical causes include intermittent read errors, drive power drops, or rare software bugs. Verifying checksums and re-burning at a lower speed fix many cases. Community feedback also stresses keeping copy and burn software current; minor releases often resolve playback quirks that cost hours to diagnose.

Conclusion

Over the years, both tools and user needs have changed. DVDFab now offers clear workflows and broad disc compatibility, while MakeMKV and BurnAware provide focused options suited to your format and hardware. Common problems—read errors, A/V sync issues, and subtitle glitches—are manageable with a methodical process and basic troubleshooting. A well-made copy, stored safely and labeled clearly, helps protect valuable content from disc rot, hardware obsolescence, and everyday damage.

Whatever your reason for copying a Blu-ray, the guidance here reflects many hours of testing, community feedback, and trial-and-error. With a modern drive, current software, and respect for copyright limits, you can build a digital library that remains usable on future players, displays, and viewing setups.