"I no longer have a DVD player, but I have a few DVD movies I would like to watch on my TV via an Android box that does accept USB drives. My only tool to transfer DVD movies to a USB flash memory is a Windows 10 notebook. I've read some advice pages that talk about creating an "ISO file" from each DVD, but I can't figure out how to actually do that."
"If your player doesn't support MKV files, you should convert it to mp4 without reencoding."
We keep seeing posts like these on Reddit, Facebook, etc. Fortunately, there are a few methods for this. DVD to pendrive opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to playback your favorite movies on various devices without being tethered to a DVD player. It's time to embrace the flexibility of USB playback.
This guide shows how to copy DVD to USB flash drive effortlessly, and also explores the unique method of converting DVDs to ISO without reencoding, ensuring an unparalleled viewing experience on your terms.
Convert DVD to USB with DVD Ripping Software
DVD ripping software is necessary for almost all commercial DVDs, which have copy protection that prevents direct file transfers. These DVD converters can usually handle all types of DVDs, whether homemade or commercial ones, and save them in any format you like.
VideoProc Converter AI is a piece of multimedia software with a handy DVD ripper tool built in. With it, you can digitize both homemade and commercial DVDs into USB and save them in any format you like. More importantly, it can bypass copy protection schemes without extra steps.
Besides being a DVD ripping tool, VideoProc Converter AI also includes a versatile toolbox to enhance your converted DVD, such as format conversion, video compression, AI upscaling and deinterlacing, etc. Above all these, there are some useful basic video editing settings, like cut, merge, and manage audio or subtitle tracks.
How to copy DVD to USB flash drive with VideoProc Converter AI
Step 1. Download if you have not yet and install VideoProc Converter AI first, and then launch the software.
Step 2. Input your DVD into the disk drive and click DVD > Disc to load content in the software. It supports any of the following DVD types: ISO images, VIDEO TS folders, homemade DVDs, 99-title DVDs with region codes, copy protections, etc.
Step 3. Choose an output format like MP4 H.264 at the bottom of the interface.
Step 4. Browse to select USB as the output folder. Ensure your pendrive has enough space, as DVD files can be large (a single-layer DVD holds about 4.7GB).
Step 5. Press button RUN to convert DVD to flash drive.
💡 Important Notes: Ripping copy-protected DVDs may have legal implications depending on your location. We do not advocate downloading or converting authorized or copy-protected media content.
What Exactly Media Format You Should Choose
Simply speaking, USB stores anything, like media files, docx files, photos, etc. To copy DVD to USB flash drive for playback later, you need to know what file formats are supported by the player device.
- MP4 format has the greatest compatibility. If saving space is your priority, rip DVD to MP4 for USB.
- MKV format can maintain original quality and keep the 1:1 ratio. VideoProc has DVD Backup modes like Full Title Copy, Main Content Copy, Clone DVD to ISO Image, Clone DVD to VIDEO_TS Folder, etc.
- By device directly. VideoProc has format presets for popular devices like Apple TV, Samsung TV, Sony TV, Panasonic TV, LG TV, or any other samrt TVs.
We made a list of the USB supported media type of some popular smart TVs and Android boxes. Check them below.
- Apple TV supports H.264 video in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov container formats.
- Roku TV supports H.264/HEVC in MP4, MOV, M4V, MKV and VP9 in WebM.
- Sony TV support USB input on TV in MP4, MPEG, WMV, MTS formats, etc.
- Samsung TV accepts DVD to USB in AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV, etc.
Transfer DVD to USB without Computer
If you prefer not to handle the DVD to USB process yourself, you can use a home movie transfer service. These services convert your DVDs into digital formats and save them to a USB drive. Popular choices include Walmart Photo, CVS Photo, etc. Prices range from $15 to $30 per order, and the whole process is simple. Here's how:
- Gather the media you plan to digitize and create an order online.
- Ship or drop off the gathered media at a designated store.
- Receive the digital copy when your order is ready.
Note: Your digitized copies usually will be transferred to your MemoryCloud account for 60 days to view, download, or save to Google Photos with these DVD to USB services. USB copies will require additional fees.
Direct Copy to Convert DVD to USB Flash Drive
Directly copying is the simplest method to transfer DVD to USB. Here are the detailed steps.
Step 1. Insert the DVD into the disk drive and plug in the USB flash drive into the USB port.
Step 2. Open the DVD drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Step 3. Select and copy all the DVD's contents and files.
Step 4. Paste the files onto the USB flash drive.
However, there are a few things that you may need to know in advance. Directly copying:
- only works for homemade DVDs without any encryption.
- does not work for commercial DVDs with copy protection.
- might lose data, especially during interruptions.
- copies the DVD's original file structure, which may not be playable on all devices.
The Bottom Line
Because of its long list of output formats supported (420+), except for ripping DVD to USB, VideoProc Converter AI would be very useful if you need to transcode video files for playback on any devices. New device output options like iPhone 16 are always added in time for your convenience. Feel free to download VideoProc Converter AI to have a try!
Disclaimer: We do not advocate downloading or converting authorized or copy-protected media content.
FAQ
How to transfer a DVD to a USB stick?
To convert a DVD to a USB, use DVD ripping software like VideoProc Converter AI. It can handle almost all types of DVDs, including homemade and commercial ones. Copy your DVD content into a usual video file format, such as MP4. Then you can save it directly to the USB drive.
Can I play ripped DVD files on a Smart TV?
Yes, you can play ripped DVD files on a smart TV. You'll need to convert the DVD to a digital video format that your TV's media player can recognize. Copy the converted video file to a USB flash drive in a file system compatible with your TV. You can then watch the ripped DVD on your Smart TV from the USB drive.
What are the pros and cons of using a professional DVD transfer service versus doing it yourself?
A professional service handles the entire conversion process for you. You typically drop off or mail your discs to the company, which then digitizes them and provides the digital files on a USB drive or in a cloud account. That saves you a significant amount of time and effort. However, transferring an entire collection can become expensive, less private, and less controlled.





