Best 7 Ways to Remove Copy Protection from DVDs

Commercial DVDs always have copy protection measures, which bring great trouble to DVD owners who want to save DVD movies to a computer, cloud, or mobile. Therefore, many people wonder how to remove copy protection from DVD.

-- "Most DVDs in my collection are copy-protected. Now, I want to make copies of them and watch them freely on my laptop. How to remove encryption from DVD in a good way? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated!"

-- "Error 'Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:READ OF SCRAMBLED SECTOR WITHOUT AUTHENTICATION' occurred with every DVD I tried." 

-- "Use AnyDVD to rip Lionsgate movie Knives Out. It makes it to 1-2% then stops. Tried Handbrake and only got 12 seconds."

It is not an easy task to rip and copy protected DVDs, especially Disney DRM-ed DVDs. Some DVD rippers can remove several copy protection schemes, while some can't. In this article, we'll show you the best software to remove copyright protection from DVD and how to remove copy protection from DVDs with HandBrake and VLC which are frequently asked in communities.

Part 1. How to Remove DVD Copy Protection

In fact, we cannot remove copy protections from our original DVDs. What we can do is to use a program to bypass or crack them and make an unencrypted physical or digital copy of our DVD. After hours of search, analysis, and comparison work, we found that the following software can help us, respectively WinX DVD Ripper, WinX DVD Copy Pro, AnyDVD, VLC, DVD Shrink, MakeMKV, and HandBrake if libdvdcss is installed.

All the DVD copy protection removal software has been tested by our team. In the test, our primary focus was on evaluating their abilities to bypass copy protections from DVDs produced by various studios. Additionally, we provided insights into essential considerations when using each software. We also conducted a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of all the tools to assist you in selecting the most suitable DVD copy protection removal tool for your needs.

Comparing the 7 Methods to Remove Copy Protection from DVDs

Method 1. Remove Copy Protection from DVD with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum

Compatible OS: Windows, Mac

What DVD copy protections can it remove: CSS, region code, RCE, Sony ArccOS, UOPs, Analog Protection System, Disney X-project (99-title DVD copy protection), etc.

Pros:

• Supports removing any DVD copy protection.
• Rip protected DVD to MP4, AVI, MOV, and 370+ output formats.
• Trim, merge, crop, adjust, subtitle, edit, and more.
• 5x faster DVD copy protection removal speed.
• Delivers high quality output.

Cons:

• Doesn't support removing DVD copy protections on Linux.

WinX DVD Ripper can remove almost all copy protections from DVDs without additional software. It unlocks DVD encryptions like CSS, region code, RCE, Sony ArccOS, UOPs, Disney X-project, and other special encryption schemes. Old and latest DVD movies and TV series from Disney, Paramount, 21st Century Fox, and other studios, educational DVDs, workout DVDs, and other standard video DVDs are well supported. It is frequently updated to support the latest protection measures.

This DVD DRM removal software can easily bypass DVD copy protections and rip DVD to MP4, MPEG, ISO, AVI, WMV, MOV, MP3, iPhone, iPad, Android, and 420+ profiles without quality loss. The built-in Hardware Accelerator, Super Encode Engine, Hyper-threading tech, and Multi-core utility can deliver an extremely fast ripping speed, about 5 minutes to rip a 2-hour DVD.

Free download this DVD copy protection removal software on your Windows or Mac. It is lightweight, clean, and easy to install and operate.

How to Remove Copy Protection from DVD?

To begin with, download and install WinX DVD Ripper on your Windows (10/11) PC or Mac. Next, follow the tutorial below to bypass DVD copy protections.

Step 1. Import the DVD with copy protection.

Insert the copy-protected DVD disc into the optical drive of your computer. Then, open WinX DVD Ripper and tap the DVD Disc button on the navigation bar to select and open the DVD you just inserted. Then it will fast scan your DVD, bypass DVD copy protection, and detect the correct main movie title for you. When a Disney encrypted DVD is detected, it will pop up a small window and tell you which is the main title and give you a link to learn what is Disney protection.

Tips: You can also input ISO images and DVD folders and convert them to a mainstreaming format.

Step 2. Select output format.

On the Output Profile window, you should select an output format based on your own needs. You can choose one from general profiles (like convert DVD to MP4, AVI, WMV), device (Apple, Android, Microsoft, Sony, etc.), web videos (FLV, WebM, and more), music (MP3, AAC, AC3), TS video or copy DVD as ISO image/VIDEO_TS folder or a single MPEG2 file with full/main title.

Step 3. Rip DVD with the removal of copy protection

Tap the Browse button to set the destination folder (hard drive or device) and click the RUN button to rip the DVD with the removal of copy protection. Once done, you'll get a DRM-free and region-free copy.

If the software fails to rip a protected DVD, go back to the above steps, enable the Safe Mode on the right side of the interface, and try again. This feature will enhance the ability to remove strong DVD encryptions.

Disclaimer: Digiarty Software does not advocate ripping copy-protected DVDs for any commercial purpose and suggests referring to the DVD copyright laws in your country before doing so.

Watch the YouTube Video Tutorial to Remove DRM from DVD

Method 2. Remove Copy Protection from DVD with WinX DVD Copy Pro

Compatible OS: Windows

What DVD copy protections can it remove: CSS, region code, RCE, Sony ArccOS, UOPs, Analog Protection System, Disney X-project (99-title DVD copy protection), etc.

Pros:

• Supports removing any DVD copy protection.
• It's a versatile tool that can be used to copy, rip, and burn DVDs.

Cons:

• Doesn't support removing DVD copy protections on Mac and Linux.
• Limited output formats. Can't export MP4 files.
• No video editing features.

WinX DVD Copy Pro is another Digiarty product which can help you strip DVD copy protections. It can remove DVD region code, UOPs, CSS encryption, and Disney's fake, and then create a digital or physical copy of your original DVD. To be specific, it can clone your DVD to a blank DVD, ISO image, or VIDEO_TS folder, or just extract the main title, audio, or video track from the DVD as you require. In addition, it can help burn your ISO file and VIDEO_TS folder back to DVD, and mount ISO as a virtual drive.

Now let's download and install WinX DVD Copy Pro and show you how to use it to circumvent copy protections in your DVD.

Step 1. Open WinX DVD Copy Pro.

Step 2. Select source DVD and destination.

Insert the DVD you want to remove copy protection into the DVD drive. Then, you should see it beside Source DVD. Next, you should choose a destination folder to save the output file.

Step 3. Select DVD copy protections to remove.

Make sure you have checked the boxes "Remove DVD region code", "Remove UOPs", "Remove CSS encryption", and "Check Disney's fake". Otherwise, it will not remove copy protection from your DVD.

The default option is to read 32 sections per time and jump 32 sectors when meeting bad sector. You can also change the value to suit your purposes.

Step 4. Start stripping copy protection.

When all settings are done, simply click Run. Then, it will begin creating a DVD copy without copy protection.

Method 3. Remove Copy Protection from DVD Using HandBrake and libdvdcss

Compatible OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

What DVD copy protections can they remove: CSS

Pros:

• Both HandBrake and libdvdcss are free.
• It has a slew of DVD ripping settings to customize the output file.

Cons:

• The operation is complex.
• It can only remove region codes and CSS protections from DVDs.
• The output formats are limited to MP4, MKV, and WebM only.

In fact, when you try to import a copy-protected DVD into HandBrake, you will get a message saying "please note that HandBrake does not support the removal of copy-protection from DVD Discs. You can if you wish use any other 3rd party software for this function…".

HandBrake itself cannot overcome DVD copy protection. Well, what software can be used to work with HandBrake for removing DVD copy protection? That is libdvdcss.

From VideoLAN, libdvdcss is a simple library designed for accessing DVDs encrypted with CSS DVD copy protection system like a block device without having to bother about the decryption. libdvdcss is compiled into DLL files for Windows users. Now, we'll show you how to use libdvdcss together with HandBrake to remove copy protection from DVD.

Step 1. Pick the version of libdvdcss to download and install.

You can go to VideoLan or Github to find libdvdcss and download the version you like. The latest version is recommended.

Download libdvdcss from VideoLAN: https://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/

Download libdvdcss from GitHub: https://github.com/allienx/libdvdcss-dll/find/main

Windows users should download libdvdcss-2.dll file. And, you should find there is a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version. Make sure to choose the version compatible with your operating system.

After you download libdvdcss-2.dll, you should move it to your HandBrake installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\HandBrake) and rename it to libdvdcss.dll. Then you can use Handbrake to bypass DVD copy protections.

Mac OS X Yosemite or older users should download libdvdcss.pkg and then click it to install.

The steps to install libdvdcss on macOS EI Capitan and later are more complicated because of a security feature called System Integrity Protection. After research, we find a few ways to install libdvdcss on macOS EI Capitan and later:

1. Disable SIP.
2. Make use of Homebrew to install libdvdcss.
3. Download libdvdcss zip file compiled by Softpedia's team.

Softpedia's team has compiled the libdvdcss library from source so that users don't need to manually configure, build, and install the library via the command line. It's really easy. This method has been proved to be able to work on OS X El Capitan, macOS Sierra, and macOS High Sierra.

Simply download the zip file, and unzip the libdvdcss_1.4.2.zip file to the Downloads folder. Now, you get two options.

• Option one - double click on Auto_install.command
• Option two - run these commands in a Terminal window: sudo mkdir /usr/local/lib/   sudo cp ~/Downloads/libdvdcss_1.4.2/libdvdcss.2.dylib /usr/local/lib/libdvdcss.2.dylib

That's it.   

Step 2. Import DVD into DVD drive and HandBrake.

Firstly, insert DVD into your computer's DVD drive. Next, open HandBrake and then you'll be required to select source file. Just select the DVD you inserted. libdvdcss will work in the background to remove any copy protection from the DVD and load the DVD data into Handbrake. If it's a copy protection that libdvdcss can't handle, you will see no valid source found error or Handbrake crashes.

Step 3. Select the content you want to convert.

Specify which title(s) you want to extract from the DVD.

Step 4. Choose output format.

HandBrake comes with dozens of presets to meet the most common needs. You can simply choose one. Alternatively, you can create your own preset.

Step 5. Specify destination to save the output file.

Click the Browse button at the bottom right to specify the store path for the resulting file and enter a file name.

Step 6. Start removing copy protection from DVD.

Click the Start Encode button at the top menu bar to begin removing DVD copy protection and ripping DVD to specified format.

Method 4. Remove Copy Protection from DVD with VLC

Compatible OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

What DVD copy protections can it remove: CSS

Pros:

• Free and open source.
• Various output formats.
• A multifunctional tool that can be used to play, stream, and convert media.

Cons:

• Slow DVD ripping speed.
• No video editing features.
• It can only remove CSS protection from DVD.

VLC is not only a DVD player but also a DVD ripper. Since libdvdcss which we have introduced in part 2 is inside VLC, you can use VLC to remove CSS copy protection mechanism from DVD. However, the whole process is recording instead of ripping like other tools in the list. Now, let me show you how to rip copy protected DVDs with VLC.

Step 1. Open DVD.

Insert DVD into the disc drive. Next, open VLC, click Media, and then click Convert / Save...

On the Open Media window, click the Disc tab, and make sure the DVD you want to rip is selected in the Disc device.

Step 2. Select content.

On the Open Media window, select title, audio track, subtitle track, and click Convert / Save.

For DVDs protected by 99 titles, VLC can't remove the DVD copy protection directly. However, you can play the DVD in VLC in advance and check which title is playing. To do this, play the DVD in VLC, select from the VLC menu "Playback" > click "Title" and the title marked is the correct movie title of the DVD. Write down title number and playback time of that title, then enter it in the VLC settings in Step 2. But sometimes though this can be difficult when a DVD contains multiple titles (TV Series for example), or when a crazy copy protection mechanism screws with the table of contents and makes it appears as if the DVD has multiple titles.

Step 3. Choose output profile.

On the Convert window, choose output profile from the preset options or create your own.

Step 4. Try removing copy protection from DVD.

Click the Browse to specify a destination folder, and then hit Start to begin ripping the DVD to a digital file without copy protection.

Method 5. Remove Copy Protection from DVD with AnyDVD

Compatible OS: Windows

What DVD copy protections can it remove: Copy preventions, user operation prohibitions (UOPs),  Macrovision analog copy prevention, etc.

Pros:

• Also supports removing protection from HD-DVDs and Blu-rays.
• It works automatically in the background to help various programs bypass DVD copy protections.

Cons:

• It doesn't work on Mac and Linux.
• It is a little expensive.

AnyDVD is different from other programs we mentioned above. Instead of bypassing DVD copy protections and exporting a copyright-free copy, AnyDVD helps you access the content of a movie DVD or Blu-ray. It removes restrictions on DVD and Blu-ray automatically in the background. With AnyDVD enabled on your computer, all programs can handle copy-protected DVD and Blu-ray media.

How to use AnyDVD?

Step 1. Download and install AnyDVD.

Make sure your computer meets AnyDVD's system requirements:

• A Windows-compatible PC with a minimum 2 GHz Processor and 1 GB RAM
• Windows XP 32/64bit, Windows Vista 32/64bit, Windows 7 32/64bit, Windows 8 32/64bit, Windows 10 32/64bit

Step 2. Enter your license key.

You can request a 21-day trial or buy one. It charges 59.00 EUR for 1 year, 75.00 EUR for 2 years, 89.00 EUR for 3 years, and 109.00 EUR for lifetime.

Step 3. Enable AnyDVD to remove DVD copy protection.

Right-click on the AnyDVD notification icon in the lower right corner of the Windows taskbar will open the AnyDVD HD status Window, which tells you all about the disc AnyDVD HD is dealing with at the moment. To remove copy protection from DVD, make sure Enable AnyDVD is checked.

Method 6. Remove Copy Protection from DVD with DVD Shrink

Compatible OS: Windows

What DVD copy protections can it remove: region code, CSS, and User operation prohibition (UOP)

Pros:

• Free to use.
• Can make a shrunk copy of dual layer DVD.

Cons:

• Can't handle some newer copy protection techniques.
• Can only output ISO files and DVD VIDEO_TS folders.
• It was discontinued in 2004.

DVD Shrink is a free DVD transcoder for Windows. It can create an exact or a shrunk ISO or a VIDEO_TS copy of a DVD, during which it can remove region code restrictions and may remove copy protections. By using DeCSS decryption algorithm, DVD Shrink can open and decrypt some copy-protected DVDs. But since DVD Shrink has stopped updating, it may not be able to remove copy protection from DVDs released in recent years.

How to remove copy protection from DVD with DVD Shrink?

Step 1. Download and install DVD Shrink.

Make sure you get the valid version. Many versions in the market are scams. To get a clean and adware-free version of DVD shrink, you can go to Softpedia, DVD Shrink Forum, and the doom9 forum.

Step 2. Open the DVD you want to remove copy protection from.

Insert target DVD into the DVD drive and then click the Open Disc button on DVD Shrink to select it as the source DVD. Wait for DVD analyzing. Once done, it will display the DVD structure.

Step 3. Specify compression ratio and the audio and subpicture you need.

Go to Compression Settings section, and then set the video compression to No Compression, Automatic, Custom Ratio, Still Image, and Still Pictures. If "Automatic" is selected, DVD Shrink will create a copy that can fit on a single-layer (4.7 GB) writeable DVD. If "Custom Ratio" is chosen, you need to move the slider under Video to specify desired compression ratio.

As for audio tracks and subtitles, you can select or deselect any track based on your own needs.

Step 4. Begin copying DVD.

Click "BackUp!" button on the top center. Then you'll see the Backup DVD window. Here, you need to select backup target and target folder the DVD output files. Next, click OK to begin backing up DVD. If it can defeat the copy protection techniques in your DVD, it will remove the copy protections from your DVD during the backup progress and give you a DRM-free copy.

Method 7. Remove Copy Protection from DVD with MakeMKV

Compatible OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux

What DVD copy protections can it remove: AACS, structure protection, BD-Java protection, etc.

Pros:

• Free to use.
• It can unlock copy protections from DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
• The disc copy is the same quality as the original disc.

Cons:

• It can only export MKV files.
• No edit features.

MakeMKV can decrypt DVDs and Blu-rays and convert the videos from discs to MKV files. Processing DVDs is free – and always will be. As for Blu-ray decryption and processing, it will be free during BETA.

MakeMKV's developers have spent a lot of time in improving handling for DVD discs and Blu-rays with structure protection, and the support for discs with BD-Java protection.

How to remove copy protection from DVD with MakeMKV?

Step 1. Download and install MakeMKV.

The latest version is 1.17.3. Windows version requires Windows XP or later, x86 or x64 while the Mac version requires x64 or ARM64 Mac OS X 10.7 or later.

Step 2. Open DVD.

Insert the DVD with copy protection into the DVD drive of your computer. Then, launch MakeMKV, select source DVD, and then click the Open DVD disk button.

Step 3. Select DVD content.

Select the title, audio, and subtitle tracks you want to copy.

Step 4. Specify output folder.

Click the Set output folder button to select a save path for the resulting file.

Step 5. Begin converting.

Hit the "Make MKV" button and wait for conversion. MakeMKV will decrypt your DVD and deliver a copy without copy protection.

Part 2. List of Most Common DVD Copy Protection Schemes and How They Work

DVD copy protection refers to a set of techniques implemented to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of DVDs. These techniques are designed to ensure that DVDs can only be played on authorized devices and prevent the creation of duplicate copies. The primary objective is to safeguard the rights of content creators and distributors, while also preserving their revenue streams. Below are some types of DVD copy protection.

CSS (short for Content Scramble System)

CSS is one of the earliest and most widely used copy protection mechanisms for DVDs. It employs encryption to scramble the data on the DVD, making it unreadable without the decryption key. CSS was primarily developed to prevent unauthorized copying during the DVD replication process. This digital rights management (DRM) and encryption system is employed on many commercially produced DVD-Video discs.

To remove CSS copy protection from DVD, you can use WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, WinX DVD Copy Pro, DVD Shrink, and VLC. If you want to use HandBrake, you need to install libdvdcss.

APS (Analog Protection System)

This DVD copy protection system is also known as Copyguard or Macrovision. It adds pulses to analog video signals to negatively impact the AGC circuit of a recording device so the images on copied DVDs become garbled and unwatchable.

To remove APS protection from DVD, you can use WinX DVD Ripper Platinum or WinX DVD Copy Pro.

Regional Coding

DVDs are often encoded with a regional code to restrict playback to specific geographical regions. DVD region codes restrict region where DVD disc can be played by matching the region number with the configuration flag in DVD players. This ensures that a DVD purchased in one region cannot be played on a DVD player from another region. Regional coding enables content producers to control the release and distribution of their DVDs in different markets.

When a DVD is manufactured, it is assigned a specific regional code. This code is embedded in the DVD's metadata and is recognized by DVD players and computer DVD drives. When a DVD is inserted into a player, the player checks the regional code of the DVD and compares it to its own region code.

If the regional codes match, the DVD is played without any issues. However, if the regional codes do not match, the DVD may be rejected or play with limited functionality.

The regional codes are typically defined as follows:

• Region 1: United States, Canada
• Region 2: Europe, Japan, South Africa, the Middle East
• Region 3: Southeast Asia, Hong Kong
• Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, Latin America
• Region 5: Russia, Eastern Europe, India, Africa (excluding South Africa)
• Region 6: China
• Region 7: Reserved for future use
• Region 8: Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
• Region 0: All regions (usually used for "region-free" or "region-less" DVDs)

In most cases, DVD players are designed to be "region-locked", meaning they can only play DVDs with matching regional codes. Although we can change the region on our DVD drive, there is a limit to how many times the region can be changed. So it is necessary to install a tool that can bypass region code restrictions and export a region-free copy. To get a region-free digital copy, you can use WinX DVD Ripper. To create a region-free physical copy, you can use WinX DVD Copy Pro.

RCE or REA

It is also known as region-code enhanced. It is a retroactive attempt to prevent the playing of one region's discs in another region, even if the disc was played by a region-free player.

WinX DVD Ripper can easily bypass RCE protection.

UOP (user operation prohibition)

UOP is a form of use restriction to prohibit the viewer from performing a large majority of actions during sections of a DVD using most DVD players. It is used mainly for copyright notices or warnings, such as an FBI warning in the United States.

Sony ArccOS (Advanced Regional Copy Control Operating Solution)

It is a copy-protection system designed as an additional layer to be used in conjunction with CSS. ArccOS works by introducing deliberate errors or corrupted sectors into the DVD's copy protection scheme. These errors are strategically placed to confuse or disrupt DVD copying software, making it difficult for them to create accurate and functional copies of the original DVD. When a DVD with ArccOS protection is copied, the errors are replicated in the copied disc, causing playback issues or rendering the copied version unusable.

Some DVD copying software (such as WinX DVD Ripper) are able to identify and overcome the deliberate errors introduced by ArccOS, allowing successful duplication of the protected DVDs.

CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media)

This copy protection scheme has largely been restricted to the Japanese market. Special CPRM-compatible recordable media are required, with each disc including a unique Media ID inscribed as a bar code in the inner hub area. When a CPRM-compliant recorder detects compatible media, it uses the unique Media ID on the disc to encrypt the data it records to the disc. The recorder will also write a block of data called the Media Key Block (MKB) which is used to decrypt the disc. If the disc is copied, the Media ID on the new disc will be different and the recorded data will not decrypt correctly.

Disney X-Project DRM (99-title DVD copy protection)

This is when the disc title structure has been messed up with multiple erroneous angles, 99 titles, and video file references. There are 99 titles, among which some titles have similar video length and size, but only one is the right title for proper playback. This protection confuses DVD rippers and induces them to select the wrong title to rip. As a result, we will find the movie is out of order or the movie is way too short. And even if one manages to rip a movie, it may result in a 40GB or 60GB file or file structure.

TAGES

Tages is not only employed on software products, but also CD and DVD discs. Its method of protection is described as twin sectors which are sectors with the same logical address but different data. Twin sectors may be hard to read in order to copy but are easy to write.

Part 3. Frequently Asked Questions

4. What does it mean when a DVD is copy protected?

When a DVD is copy-protected, it means that the content on the DVD has been intentionally encrypted or otherwise secured to prevent unauthorized duplication or copying of the data. If you want to play a foreign DVD in your country, or make a backup copy of a commercial DVD, you will need to unlock the copy protections on the DVD. However, DVD copy protections such as CSS, region codes, UOPs, Disney 99-title DRM, etc., make it more challenging for the average user to make unauthorized copies of DVDs. So you will need a specific program to bypass DVD copy protections.

5. Is it legal to remove copy protections from DVDs?

The legality of removing copy protection from a DVD depends on the laws of your country. It's essential to check the intellectual property and copyright law in your country to get accurate and up-to-date advice on this matter.

In the United States, it's illegal to unlock copy protection mechanisms on DVDs or other digital media without the permission of the copyright holder, even if your intention is to make a backup copy for personal use. There are some exceptions, such as for certain educational or archival purposes, but these exceptions are limited. That being said, the removal of DVD copy protection occurs locally and will go unnoticed by others.

Final Words

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media consumption, the need for versatile and reliable DVD copy protection removal software remains constant. In this comprehensive exploration of popular tools, we've delved into the capabilities and features of WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, WinX DVD Copy Pro, HandBrake, VLC, AnyDVD, DVD Shrink, and MakeMKV.

The choice of DVD copyright removal software ultimately depends on your specific needs. Which type of DVD you need to unlock, and whether you prioritize speed, customization, or copy protection removal, there is a tool in this lineup that suits your requirements. Additionally, remember to consider the intended use of the unlocked DVD content, as it can impact your choice of method and file format.

Overall, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum can remove almost all the copy protections from DVDs and saved the unlocked DVD video in any format you may need. However, if you need to handle Blu-ray copy protections, you will need MakeMKV.

Plus, it's essential to consult the copyright laws and regulations in your specific country or jurisdiction to understand what is permissible regarding removing copy protections from DVDs.