How to Upload a DVD to YouTube: Digital Conversion

Table of Contents

Understanding YouTube Upload Restrictions
- Commercial DVDs are Prohibited
- Supported File Formats for Uploading

Preparing to Rip Your DVD
- Choosing the Right DVD Ripper
- Tips for Ripping DVD to YouTube

Best Ways on How to Upload a DVD to YouTube
- Convert and Upload DVD to YouTube Using DVDFab DVD Ripper
- Convert DVD to YouTube Using HandBrake
- Convert DVD to YouTube Using VLC Media Player
- Recording with OBS Studio
- Comparison of the Best Ways to Convert DVD to YouTube

FAQs on How to Upload a DVD to YouTube
- Can I upload a commercial DVD to YouTube?
- Why am I unable to upload a DVD video longer than 15 minutes?
- What should I do if my upload fails?

Final Wrap-up

With the rise of digitalization, uploading videos to YouTube has become super popular. YouTube supports many formats like MOV, MP4, FLV, AVI, but not DVD. So, many people with homemade or commercially protected DVDs are wondering how to upload their videos to YouTube.

To upload videos to YouTube, you need to convert your DVDs into a supported digital format. But, no need to fret as we're here to assist you through the process! This article will guide you on how to upload a DVD to YouTube, covering YouTube’s upload restrictions, how to prepare your DVD, and the best methods to convert your DVDs to a YouTube-compatible format.

Understanding YouTube Upload Restrictions

Before posting anything on YouTube, make sure you're familiar with the platform's upload restrictions. See details below.

Commercial DVDs are Prohibited

YouTube does not permit the sharing of copyrighted content such as commercial DVDs. Uploading these DVDs without proper permission is illegal and poses several risks:

The video will be deleted.
You’ll get a copyright or content ID strike from YouTube.
Your video won't be accepted by YouTube for upload.
You’ll get sued by copyright holders.

Supported File Formats for Uploading

YouTube accepts the following video formats and file codecs:

Video Format	File Codec
MP4, WebM, CineForm, MOV, AVI, MPEG-4, FLV, WMV, AVCHD, HEVC, MPEG-PS, DNxHR, 3GPP, and GineForm.	WAV, AAC, VP8, VP9, PCM, H.264, H.265, MP3, Opus, and Vorbis.

Preparing to Rip Your DVD

Preparing to rip your DVD involves several things, including choosing the right tools and knowing some tips when ripping DVD to YouTube.

Choosing the Right DVD Ripper

Choose a good DVD ripper for smooth conversion. Speed, ease of use, and ability to convert to multiple formats are important. Some popular options include DVDFab, HandBrake, VLC Media Player, and OBS Studio.

Tips for Ripping DVD to YouTube

Here are some tips for ripping DVD to YouTube:

Video Ratio: YouTube’s recommended video ratio is 16:9. If your video is 4:3, it will show black bars on the side. So, you need to convert the 4:3 DVD to a 16:9 ratio.
Recommended Format and Codec: For best quality and compatibility, use MP4 format with H.264 video codec, AAC-LC audio codec, and 15-20 Mbps bitrate. So make sure to rip your DVD according to these.
Legality: Check the legality of the content you are ripping. Rip only DVDs you own or have permission to share.
Video Length: You can only upload digital files from DVDs that are 15 minutes or less. If you want to upload videos more than 15 minutes long, you need to verify your YouTube account.

Best Ways on How to Upload a DVD to YouTube

It’s time to explore the best ways to convert your DVD into a YouTube-friendly format. In this section, we will discuss the best ways to upload DVD to YouTube, including software and methods to make the process smoother and faster with better quality.

Convert and Upload DVD to YouTube Using DVDFab DVD Ripper

DVDFab DVD Ripper

is a powerful way to convert DVDs into digital formats with high video quality. You can set video resolution, format, and bitrate as you need. It also has a built-in video editor to make any edits before uploading to YouTube.

PROS

Can handle old and new DVD copy protections

Has presets for over 260 devices, including Apple, Google, Huawei, Samsung, Microsoft, etc

It has GPU acceleration up to 50x faster

The software includes OCR technology that enables the conversion of subtitles into SRT files

Retains high quality during ripping

Supports over 1000 video and audio formats (MP4, MP3, WMA, MKV, AVI, WMV, AAC, M4A, FLV, M4V, TS, WebM, M2TS, 3GP and more)

Allows multiple DVD ripping tasks to run automatically, saving time with seamless multitasking

Automatically updates movie metadata, including title, cast, and cover, for better file organization

Upgraded performance from Intel "Tiger Lake" CPU

CONS

The free version only supports MKV and MP4 output

How To Convert and Upload DVD to YouTube With DVDFab DVD Ripper

Let’s get started with the step-by-step process of using this tool to convert your DVD into a YouTube-compatible format. Follow these steps to keep your video quality high and ready to upload.

Step 1: Install and Set Up Your DVD

Get DVDFab DVD Ripper for Mac or Windows and install it.
Open DVDFab 13 and click on “Ripper”.

Insert your DVD into the disk drive and the program will auto detect it.
If your DVD has multiple titles, subtitles, or audio tracks, you can select which ones to convert by using the “Choose Other Titles", "Audio", and "Subtitles” option.

Step 2: Select Your Output Format

Click on “Choose Other Profile” > “Format” > “Video” and select a YouTube-compatible video format. For best results, convert DVD to MP4 with H.264 video codec.

Go to “Advanced Settings” to adjust the audio codec and bit rate. For YouTube uploads, it’s recommended to use AAC-LC audio codec and set the video bit rate between 15-20 Mbps.

Step 3: Edit Your Video and Begin Conversion

You can add effects, watermarks, and subtitles by clicking on "Video Edit.". You can also trim, crop, or merge your videos as needed.

Choose the output path for the converted file before you start the conversion.

Click “Start” to begin the conversion.

Step 4: Upload Ripped DVD to YouTube

Sign in to your YouTube account. If you don’t have one, you need to create one first.
Click the “+” icon and select “Upload Video.”

Click "SELECT FILES" to choose the ripped DVD video you want to upload.

Fill in the title, description, and tags for your video, then select the appropriate audience setting (kids or adults). Providing accurate descriptions and tags will enhance your video’s discoverability on YouTube.

Choose your privacy settings: you can make the video public, unlisted, or private.
Finally, click "Publish" to share your DVD video with the world on YouTube.

Convert DVD to YouTube Using HandBrake

HandBrake is a free DVD ripper that can convert non-DRM or non-AACS-protected DVDs to MP4 or MKV format that can be uploaded to YouTube. In addition to its conversion capabilities, HandBrake allows you to compress DVD videos into smaller files, making them more manageable for online sharing.

PROS

HandBrake features a very user-friendly interface

Batch processing

The live preview is useful

CONS

Doesn’t support all video formats

Slow and errors may occur

Cannot combine multiple video clips into a single video

Improper decoding may result in poor-quality or unplayable DVD rips

DVDs with copy protection are not supported

How To Convert DVD to YouTube With HandBrake

You can convert DVD to YouTube via HandBrake with the following steps:

First, insert the DVD into your optical drive.
Open HandBrake, you will be prompted to select a source.
Choose your DVD and click “Open”. HandBrake will scan the DVD for titles.
From the “Title” menu, select the main title you want to rip.
Choose your desired output format like MP4 that is compatible with YouTube and adjust the settings as needed.

Hit the "Start" button to initiate ripping the DVD.
Once the process is complete, upload the ripped video to YouTube.

Convert DVD to YouTube Using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is more than a media player, it has ripping and converting features for DVDs. It supports many digital formats compatible with YouTube. So, it’s a good option to prepare DVDs for YouTube.

PROS

VLC is free and open-source

It’s light, requires minimal memory and processing power

Built-in audio equalizer to boost sound without losing clarity

It supports many multimedia formats by default, including AVI, WMV, MOV, MP3, Ogg, and FLAC

Built-in filters for audio and video

CONS

It has many features and options, so it can be overwhelming for non-techy users

Metadata editing is not as user-friendly as others

DVDs with copy protection are not supported

How To Convert DVD to YouTube Using VLC Media Player

Follow the steps below to convert DVD to YouTube with VLC:

Place the DVD onto the device's DVD drive.
Open VLC Media Player.
Click on the “Media” menu and select “Convert / Save….”

Switch to the “Disc” tab and select “DVD” as the disc type.
Browse to the DVD source and click “Convert / Save.”
Select a profile, e.g. “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).”

Choose the destination file location and click “Start.”
Upload the DVD video to YouTube.

Recording with OBS Studio

OBS isn’t DVD ripping software, but you can use it to record DVD content to upload to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and other platforms. You can also customize the output format and quality to your needs.

PROS

Can stream to any online service.

Easy to use overlays and on-screen elements.

Old school broadcast features, for modern times.

Lots of filters from stickers to color correction and effects.

Clear audio with customizable settings.

CONS

Streaming or recording at high resolution requires a lot of system resources, which can be a problem for lower-spec computers.

Can’t use standard tools to add the same video stream to multiple scenes at once.

Limited tech support.

How To Convert DVD to YouTube With OBS Studio

Before you start the step-by-step process of converting a DVD to YouTube with OBS Studio, make sure you have the software installed and your DVD is ready to play. Once you’re ready, follow the steps below to record and upload your DVD.

Run OBS Studio and press "Settings" from the bottom right.
From the "Settings" window, choose the "Output" tab.

Under “Recording” enter the file path and select your desired output video format.
Go to the “Sources” tab and add “Display Capture” as your source.
Insert the DVD and play it with a DVD player.
Click the “Start Recording” button to start capturing.

When you’re done, click “Stop Recording.”
Upload the recorded DVD to YouTube.

Comparison of the Best Ways to Convert DVD to YouTube

We’ve tried out many ways to convert DVDs to YouTube, so it’s time to compare them to see which one is best for you. In this section, we’ll break down the features of each method so you can make an informed decision for your DVD to YouTube conversion.

Product	Compatible OS	Input Format	Output Format	Output Quality	Ease of Use	Video Editing	Free or Paid
DVDFab DVD Ripper	Windows, macOS	Copy Protected DVD disc/ISO/Folder	1000+ Video & Audio Formats	Lossless	Very Easy	Yes	30-Day Free Trial
HandBrake	Windows, macOS, Linux	Non-Copy Protected DVD disc/ISO/Folder	Limited output options	Good	Moderate	No	Free
VLC Media Player	Windows, macOS, Linux	Non-Copy Protected DVD disc/ISO/Folder	Limited output options	Lossless	Moderate	Yes	Free
OBS Studio	Windows, macOS, Linux	Need an external DVD player that supports all the input formats	6+ Video & Audio Formats	Good	Advanced	No	Free

FAQs on How to Upload a DVD to YouTube

Can I upload a commercial DVD to YouTube?

You can’t upload clips from commercial DVDs to YouTube without permission. If you upload a DVD to YouTube that has unlicensed content, your video will be blocked. This happens even if you mark the video as private. Always be careful about what you upload to avoid this.

Why am I unable to upload a DVD video longer than 15 minutes?

YouTube limits new users to upload 15-minute videos. If you try to upload a video longer than that, the upload will fail. To upload longer videos on YouTube, you need to verify your account. Go to the YouTube upload page to verify your account https://www.youtube.com/verify.

What should I do if my upload fails?

If your upload fails, check your internet connection, file format, and whether your video meets YouTube’s guidelines. Once you know what the issue is, refer to Google’s troubleshooting tips.

Final Wrap-up

In summary, uploading a DVD to YouTube requires knowledge of copyright laws, choosing the right ripping software, and following the right steps for DVD conversion. With this guide on how to upload a DVD to YouTube, you can do it with ease. Whether you’re sharing personal videos or converting home movies, you can reach more people when you upload to YouTube. With the right ripping tools and knowledge, uploading to YouTube is easy.