Does PS5 Play DVDs? Supported Models, Limits, and Playback Options

I once picked up a DVD I wanted to watch on my PS5, only to realize that the result was not the same for every console. My PS5 model, the disc region, and the DVD format all mattered before the movie could start. A PS5 with a disc drive can play supported DVDs, while a Digital Edition needs a different approach.

In this guide, I will explain how DVD playback works on PS5 Standard Edition, PS5 Digital Edition, Slim Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro, then shows the practical steps to play or convert a DVD when direct playback is not available.

Can PS5 Play DVDs

The first time you insert a DVD or Blu ray disc, PS5 needs an internet connection to activate disc playback. After that one time activation, supported DVDs can play offline on the same console.

Related Reading: Does PS4 Play DVDs?

What Types of DVDs Can You Play On PS5

The PS5 Standard Edition features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive, but its DVD playback capabilities have specific limitations. While the console supports playback of PS4/PS5 game discs, standard Blu-ray discs, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray media, it doesn't maintain universal DVD format compatibility. As the successor to PS4, the PS5 inherits most legacy disc playback functions but remains incompatible with certain DVD regional formats and specialty disc types.

Here's an overview of disc formats supported and unsupported by the PS5 Standard Edition:

DVD Region Compatibility on PS5

The PS5 Digital Edition not only lacks a disc drive to play any kind of physical DVD but also doesn't support external drives. So, suppose you are planning to invest in the PS5 Basic model, which is more expensive than the PS5 Digital Edition. In that case, you should know whether there are any regional restrictions or limitations on accessing DVDs. 

Using the PS5 DVD player, you can only play DVDs that are region-locked. That means you can play the DVDs coded for the exact location to which your PS5 console is tied. Other region's DVDs can't be played on your region's PS5 console. So, the PS5 DVD player is not region-free. You can change your location on PS5 a maximum of 4 times, and after that, the region code will be locked permanently. 

How to Play DVD on PS5 Digital Edition

The original 2020 PS5 Digital Edition cannot play physical DVDs because it has no disc slot and does not support Sony's detachable Disc Drive. A regular USB DVD drive also cannot turn this model into a PS5 DVD player.

The Slim PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro are different. Although they are sold without an internal disc drive, both models can use Sony's official detachable Disc Drive for PS5. After installing the drive, connect the console to the internet and complete the online registration shown on screen. Once the drive and disc playback are activated, supported DVDs, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD Blu-ray discs can be used through the disc tile just like on a Disc model.

For the original PS5 Digital Edition, or for users who prefer USB playback, I recommend converting DVD content into a PS5-compatible video file such as MP4 or MKV by using a DVD conversion tool like DVDFab DVD Ripper. It efficiently converts your discs into digital files while removing encryption and region restrictions. The file size can be reduced without noticeable loss. Once converted, the files can be transferred to your PS5 via USB or streamed through your home network.

💻Supported OS:

💡Main Features:

• Decryption: Removes most DVD encryptions (CSS, region codes, etc) via cloud service
• Lossless Quality: Preserves original video/audio with 1:1 compression
• Converts to 1000+ formats and 260+ optimized profiles for PS5/consoles/phones
• Customization: Adjust codec, resolution, and bitrate using the Advanced Settings
• Built-in Editor: Enhance your ripped videos by trimming, cropping, add wwatermarks, and more

Convert a DVD for PS5 Playback with DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1: Begin with the DVDFab 13, head to the "Ripper Module" > put the DVD that you like to rip in the drive, and your inserted source DVD content will be uploaded automatically. 

Step 2: Then click "Choose Other Profile" > "Format" option to select your desired PS5-compatible format. Or you can select the "Device" option to select your desired all-device compatible format. 

Step 3: Although the movie title will be selected as the default setting, you can still select other titles. For more customization, you can change the title name, audio track, chapters, subtitles, etc. 

Step 4: Move to setting to tab "Wrench" icon to customize more settings like codec, resolution, frame rate etc. You can also use a built-in editor to adjust the aspect ratio, crop, trim, picture value, etc. 

You can also use a built-in editor to adjust the aspect ratio, crop, trim, picture value, etc. 

Step 5: Move to the main interface below, select "Folder," > and choose the location where you want to save the ripped video. Hit the "Start" option to initiate the DVD ripping process to PS5. 

How to Play a DVD On PS5 Standard Edition

PS5 Standard Edition is the simplest model for DVD playback because it already has a disc drive. You do not need a separate DVD player app. After you insert a supported DVD, the Disc Player tile appears on the PS5 Home screen.

Step 1: Connect your PS5 standard to the internet. Opt for the controller (Settings) > then Network > set up an internet connection. Next, follow the instructions on the screen to set up the network settings. You can connect the PS5 to the internet using Wi-Fi or LAN cable. 

Step 2: Then log in to the PS5 if needed, insert the DVD that you like to watch in the PS5 disc drive, and the disc playback feature will be activated instantly. The inserted DVD will be played automatically.  If the video doesn't play, go to the XMB menu > Video Section > click on the X option on the movie title, and the video will start to play. 

FAQs

Conclusion

PS5 can handle DVDs in different ways depending on the model you own. The Standard Edition includes a disc drive and can play supported DVDs directly, as long as the disc format and region code are supported. The original Digital Edition has no optical drive, so watching DVD content usually requires converting discs to compatible video files with DVDFab DVD Ripper and then playing them from USB storage or a media server. Newer Digital models and PS5 Pro can play physical DVDs only after Sony’s official detachable Disc Drive is installed and registered online.

As long as you know which version of the console you have and pay attention to region and format limits, it is still possible to enjoy a DVD library on PlayStation 5.