How to copy old dvd to laptop?

Si_Clist

I have been given an instructional DVD which was produced in 2006.  I've managed to download and install something called "Power DVD" in which it plays alright from an external player plugged into a USB socket on our Windows 11 laptop, but it would be lots more convenient if I could copy it over to the laptop.  Is there a way of doing that? The firm which produced it went bust the same year they made it, so copyright is not now an issue.

Browntoa

Look for free software like handbrake or VLC player 

Both can "rip" the dvd to a video file

Newcad

Do a web search using the term "rip dvd".

It's not something that I've had to do but as I already use VLC myself  I would probably try that. I don't know Handbrake but it appears to be well recommended

Si_Clist

Newcad said:

Do a web search using the term "rip dvd".

It's not something that I've had to do but as I already use VLC myself  I would probably try that. I don't know Handbrake but it appears to be well recommended

Thanks. I did spent a long time on the web looking for something that would do it, but I got myself thoroughly confused.  Probably my age! (I'm nearly 80)

Bonhomie

http://www.magicdvdripper.com/download.htm

http://www.magicdvdripper.com

You get five free 'rips' for evaluation. Don't waste 'em.

Si_Clist

Thanks folks for your help.  I've just managed to do what I wanted to by downloading Handbrake and managing to work out how to use it! 

forgotmyname

Just because a company goes bust or closes does not mean the copyright ended. They may not have owned the copyright, it
may have been created under licence.

GDB2222

forgotmyname said:

Just because a company goes bust or closes does not mean the copyright ended. They may not have owned the copyright, it
may have been created under licence.

Agreed. Or, the liquidator of the company may have sold the copyright on to someone else. 

However, simply copying the DVD onto a device for personal use may not infringe the copyright anyway. It depends on the terms of the licence issued with the DVD all those years ago.

Si_Clist

forgotmyname said:

Just because a company goes bust or closes does not mean the copyright ended. They may not have owned the copyright, it
may have been created under licence.

Quite so.  But in this case I know the MD of the company whose copyright the DVD content was, and that company ceased to exist in November 2006.  As far as he's concerned, I can do what I like with the DVD - apart, obviously, from copy it for sale.