How to Make a DVD Backup of iTunes Movies

by DoItYourself Staff

Here’s where your search for tips on how to make a DVD backup of iTunes movies ends. There are many users like you who would like clear and explicit instructions on how to get this done. iTunes provides an option called “Back Up To Disc” where your media will be saved on to a blank disc and later restored. It is to be noted that media that is backed up on to a DVD using this method cannot be played later on a DVD player.

For Windows Users

Step 1 - Check for Compatibility

Ensure that you computer has a compatible DVD burner. You can check compatibility in the Preferences option of iTunes. You can also check for compatibility of the drive by putting the DVD into the drive and checking whether it appears in the list of drives on the iTunes window.

Step 2 - Begin the Backup

You are now ready to begin backup of your media. Navigate to File -> Library -> Back Up To Disc

Step 3 - Select Your Option

Three options will be displayed – Back up Entire iTunes Library and Playlists; Back Up Only iTunes Store Purchases, and Only Back Up Items Added or Changed Since Last Backup. Select the option of your choice from this list and click “Back Up”.

Step 4 - Insert Media

Insert a blank DVD into the optical drive of the computer. The disk will be scanned by iTunes and the burning process will begin.

Step 5 - Use Multiple Discs (if Needed)

In case there is insufficient space on the disk to accommodate all the data iTunes will give you an option to use multiple discs until all the data has been copied.

Steps To Follow To Make A DVD Backup of iTunes Movies On A Mac

On a Mac, you will usually find that there is an automatic backup option where purchases of media over iTunes Store are backed up. Manual back up of videos would follow the below steps.

Choose File -> Back Up To Disc
Choose from one of the same three options that will be displayed as on a Windows based computer (see Step 3 above).
Insert a blank DVD into the computer for the burning process to start.

The discs that are created using this method will not be readable on a DVD player. This is just a data disc, on which you have stored your video files that can be read back on to your computer. Therefore, do not be surprised if they do not play on your home entertainment units. These are simple methods for ensuring that your music collection is safely backed up in the event of your computer losing data.