How To Duplicate A DVD On Mac

1. Ensure you have at least 6GB of hard drive space.
Select your hard drive in the Finder and hit “command i” or choose “Get Info” from the File menu. This will open a dialog box showing details of your hard drive include the available space.

2. Insert the DVD and ensure it mounts on your computer.
Some DVDs will cause your Apple DVD Player application to launch once they are inserted. If this happens hit “command 0” to or choose “Exit Full Screen” from the View menu. This will allow you to work with the DVD in other applications.

3. Launch Disc Utility from the Utilities folder under Applications.

4. Create a copy of your DVD
In  Disc Utility, you mounted DVD should show up in the list of Volumes on the left. Select your DVD by clicking it once. The choose “New Disc Image from ....” from the New submenu under the File menu. The label shown for the DVD will vary.

5. Name your Disc Image.
This process is creating a Disc Image of your DVD that we will later use to make our copies. Pick any name the suits you and choose “DVD/CD master” from the Image Format selection and “none” from the Encryption selection. Be sure an note where you are saving this file as we will access it soon.

6. Get a cup of coffee and wait while your DVD copies

7. Prepare to burn your copy.
When your Disc Image is complete you should see your file in the place you saved it. Additionally it will be present in the Volumes section on the left side of the Dicy Utility application.  You may now eject your DVD from your computer. If your DVD Player application launched when you inserted your DVD you will need to quit this application in order to eject your disc.

8. Burn your DVD copy
You are now ready to burn your DVD copy. From the Disc Utility application highlight your DVD Disc Image by clicking it once in the Volumes area on the left. If your Disc Image is no longer in the Volumes area on the left you may Open it (Open Disc Image) from the File menu. Once your Disc Image is selected choose the Burn icon from the toolbar in Disc Utility. Follow the instructions for burning your DVD.

9. Get ANOTHER cup of coffee and wait while your DVD burns

10. Repeat
For multiple copies you can repeat steps 8 and 9.

If you find this process slow or you need to burn multiple DVD/CD copies on a continual basis the best Mac application for getting this done is Roxio Toast. It provides a simple user interface for this process and can automate the process of burning multiple copies of each disc.

Enjoy.

this post was filed under Media Tips on Oct 2, 2007