Vudu Disc to Digital Conversion: Features, Limitations, and Alternatives

Introduction

As digital media overtakes the world, many people are seeking ways to convert their physical discs into accessible digital formats. This trend is particularly prominent among movie lovers looking to preserve their DVD and Blu-ray collections. One popular solution is the Vudu Disc to Digital service, which enables users to easily transform their discs for a small fee. If you're considering this option, you might have questions about how the service works, its limitations, and whether it fits your needs.

This article will break down the Vudu Disc to Digital service, including eligible movie titles, pricing, and common troubleshooting issues. We’ll also discuss its limitations and introduce the best alternative for digitizing your DVDs. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of various options for converting your DVD collection.

Understanding Vudu and Its Disc to Digital Service

If you have a lot of discs that you want to convert into digital formats, Vudu's Disc to Digital service is definitely worth checking out. With this service, you can convert your physical DVDs and Blu-rays into digital versions for only $2 or $5 each. This is usually a more economical choice than buying digital titles from other providers.

What is Vudu?

Vudu is a digital media distribution and video streaming service that launched in 2007. It originally focused on renting and purchasing TV series and movies in digital format. In addition, it offers digital codes that enable users to rent or buy a wide selection of TV series and films. These films and series can then be streamed on various devices, including PCs, smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones.

Those who value high video and audio quality will appreciate Vudu, as it supports HD and even 4K UHD formats. Additionally, Vudu provides digital copies of movies that come with physical Blu-ray and DVD purchases, enabling you to enjoy your optical content digitally.

How Does Vudu Disc to Digital Work?

Vudu's Disc to Digital service makes it easy to convert DVDs and Blu-rays into digital formats. To use it, simply scan the barcode on your disc using the Vudu app or website. Vudu recognizes the movie, and for a small fee(typically $2 for DVDs and $5 for Blu-rays), you can convert the disc to digital format. Once the conversion is complete, your digital copy is stored in the cloud, and you can access it on any device connected to your Vudu account. It's a convenient way to enjoy your movie without the hassle of a physical disc!

Steps for converting your DVD using the Vudu Disc to Digital service

Step 1: Download the Vudu Disc to Digital from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
Step 2: After the download finishes, open the app.
Step 3: Log in or register for an account if prompted.
Step 4: After that, click the "Disc to Digital" button and give it access if prompted. 
Step 5: Scan a barcode from a DVD or Blu-ray casing that you have on hand.
Step 6: If the scan works and the movie title is available, you can buy it for $2 or $5. If the movie isn’t available, you’ll receive a notification.

The benefits of using the Vudu Disc to Digital 

• Vudu's Disc to Digital feature enables you to convert DVD and Blu-ray movie collections into digital copies, allowing you to watch them digitally on various devices, including desktops, smartphones, smart televisions, and tablets.
• Turning DVDs into digital copies removed the need to pack several Blu-rays or DVDs for traveling. You can access them at any time and from any location with an internet connection, which improves their portability and convenience.

Since launching, Vudu has made several adjustments to its disc-to-digital conversion service. It originally introduced the Disc to Digital (D2D) service on desktops, enabling users to install the Vudu To Go application to scan DVDs and Blu-ray discs via their computer’s optical disc drive. Subsequently, Vudu expanded this service to mobile devices, calling it Mobile-To-Disc (M2D).

Vudu Disc to Digital List: Which Movies Are Eligible?

After knowing the conversion process, there is something that you need to take note of. Not all of the movies can be converted to digital versions. Only movies from studios participating in the Disc to Digital program can be converted into digital. Some titles have also not been made available through the service. Available movie titles are updated monthly, and you can search for and view them on the Vudu website.

Costs and Pricing of Vudu Conversion

More About Vudu Disc to Digital Not Working

Troubleshooting Vudu Disc to Digital Issues

Due to its restrictions, the VUDU disc to digital conversion is unlikely to operate as intended. Some common challenges you might face include issues during the login process, difficulties with title verification, and problems with downloading. Here are some common issues that you may encounter during the process.

• Discontinued In-Home Support

Since 2020, Vudu no longer supports in-home disc to digital conversions. Instead, you can use a mobile app to scan the UPC (Universal Product Code) for the conversion.

• Location Mismatch

If your GPS location doesn’t align with your billing address, you might run into some issues. To avoid this, make sure your GPS is activated and that it matches the address on your Vudu account.

• Scanner Bar Not Appearing

The Vudu app might not automatically scan the barcode. If that happens, just press the button manually to capture a clear image of the barcode for conversion.

• Scanner Issues or Blank Screen

When scanning barcodes for Vudu's Disc to Digital service, you might encounter a blank screen. To fix this, ensure you capture the entire barcode clearly and retake the picture if it doesn’t scan correctly.

• Blank Scan

If scanning the barcode results in no response or a blank screen, you can continue by clicking the browser link in the My Library section to finish the scan.

• Unsupported Title

Not all DVDs are supported by Vudu, especially the older or special versions. To fix this, you will have to use third-party DVD-ripping software.

• Conversion Limit Reached

Vudu only allows you to convert up to 100 discs each year. If you reach that limit, you’ll either need to wait until next year to convert more or set up a new account to keep going.

Limitations of Vudu Disc to Digital

While Vudu Disc to Digital is an efficient way of converting your physical media into digital format, there are certain restrictions to be aware of. 

• Limited to 100 discs per year

The Vudu D2D service has a maximum of 100 discs each year. If you try to convert more discs, you will receive a message stating that you have surpassed the limit and will be unable to complete the conversion. 

• An Internet connection is required

After you obtain the digital movie files, you must connect to the Internet to stream them. This conversion is essentially the process of acquiring a license from Vudu to watch DVD movies online, but you cannot transfer or watch them offline.

• Limited to US only

Vudu is a service exclusively accessible to US and Mexican users. You cannot use Vudu disc to digital service to convert a DVD, stream, or purchase its content if you're outside these countries.

• Require UPC barcode

To complete the conversion, Vudu Disc to Digital will prompt you to scan the UPC barcode to verify the disc. The barcode is usually printed on the back of the DVD case. If your cover is damaged, you may risk losing the barcode.

• Your location must match your billing address

While using the Disc to Digital service, make sure your GPS is enabled and that your current location matches the address shown on the payment method. In rare cases, users cannot complete the barcode scanning owing to mismatched locations, even if they are using the service from their billing address.

• Dependence on Vudu

Converting DVDs through Vudu requires paying a license to watch the digital copy on their platform; therefore, ownership depends on the Vudu service's longevity.

• Only works for specific titles

Vudu's movie catalog does not include all the movies you want to convert. You’ll find that some movies are available only for rental, while others can be purchased or converted. Back in 2017, Vudu’s Mobile Disc-to-Digital service offered only around 8,000 titles(though the library has since expanded) from major studios like Sony, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros, and Universal. However, it didn’t include DVDs from Disney or certain other studios.

The Best Alternative to Vudu Disc to Digital

While Vudu Disc to Digital has its limitations, there is a powerful alternative that can enhance your digital media experience: DVDFab DVD Ripper. It is a feature from the Ripper module of DVDFab 13 that allows you to convert your DVD into any video or audio format. Below are the features of the DVDFab DVD Ripper.

Features of DVDFab DVD Ripper

• Convert normal and encrypted DVD

DVDFab DVD Ripper can identify and remove common DVD copy protections such as CSS, APS, RC, Sony DADC, and others, enabling DVD-to-digital conversion. DVDFab's exclusive Cloud Decryption Service can also detect and decrypt recently bought encrypted DVDs.

• Multiple output formats

DVDFab DVD Ripper can convert any DVD, ISO image file, or folder to over 1000 videos (AVI, FLV, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP4, M2TS, TS, WebM, WMV, 3GP, etc.) and audio formats (AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, PCM, WMA, etc.) for playing on any devices.

• No limits

DVDFab DVD Ripper lets you convert your DVD without limits, and you can keep the file for as long as you want.

• Support both Windows and macOS

Windows from Windows 7/8/8.1/10 to 11 (32/64 bit), macOS from v10.10 to the latest version. This cross-platform availability makes it useful for users of both operating systems.

Follow these steps to use the DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1: Launch DVDFab 13 and select "Ripper" from the sidebar. Then put your DVD in, click "Add Source," and choose your DVD drive.

Step 2: After that, your DVD can be converted into MP4, MKV, AVI, and more. Then choose the audio tracks and subtitles you want to include in the final video.

Step 3: You can customize the output video further with the "Advanced settings" option and the built-in editor.

Step 4: Whenever you are ready, select the output location and click the “Start” button. Once the processing process is complete, your Vudu disc will be converted to digital on the output folder. You can easily transfer the content to your other devices for viewing convenience.

FAQs

Does Vudu disc to digital still work?

Yes, Vudu Disc to Digital is still available. However, from January 1st of the year 2020, Vudu is no longer supporting the desktop version. It is still available on mobile devices. The terms Vudu Disc to Digital, M2D (Mobile to Disc), and D2D (Disc to Digital) all refer to the mobile service.

What are the restrictions on Vudu Disc to Digital?

• The maximum number of conversions allowed is 100 per year.
• The app is only available in Mexico and the United States.
• It is a paid service that requires you to pay for converting your movies. In other words, Vudu converts DVDs to digital for a fee.
• Converting a DVD requires a barcode or UPC on the cover. You may risk losing the barcode if the cover is damaged.

Is it worth converting DVDs to digital?

Yes, converting DVDs to digital is worth it for convenience, space-saving, and easy access on various devices. It also protects your DVD collection from wear and tear.

Conclusion

Vudu Disc to Digital service lets you convert your DVDs to digital, allowing you to access and view them anywhere. The conversion costs are from $2 to $5, depending on the type of disc and quality chosen. The downsides of this conversion service are that it's available only in the U.S. and Mexico, there is a risk of losing the disc's barcode if it is damaged, and no more than 100 discs can be converted yearly. If you want to avoid these limitations, you can use some third-party software, such as DVDFab DVD Ripper. By using it, you will be able to convert any Vudu disc to digital without limitations and save the converted files forever.