DVD-Cloner is a Windows application for copying DVDs, backing up Blu-ray and UHD movies, and saving disc video as MKV files. It can write a new disc or keep a DVD backup on a hard drive as an ISO image or DVD folder. Its DVD copy modes determine whether the result retains the whole disc, contains selected material, or fits onto smaller-capacity media.
DVD copy modes
Express mode provides direct choices for copying a DVD at its original capacity or compressing a dual-layer DVD-9 onto a single-layer DVD-5. Expert mode exposes the decisions behind the copy. A full disc copy preserves the DVD structure, while Movie complete copy compresses a DVD-9 and keeps its menus and special features. A split copy retains that content by dividing the same source across two DVD-5 discs.
Movie-only mode leaves out menus and extras and copies the main feature. Customized copying goes further: you choose titles and chapters, audio tracks and subtitles, then set the target disc type and compression rate.
DVD-Cloner uses its XceedRead engine for disc reading and error correction. A manual Read I/O pattern setting provides a further control for older optical drives. When a copy is written with a single drive, the program reads the source before asking for blank media; with separate reader and burner drives, both discs can be loaded for the task.
Disc compilations
DVD-Cloner can combine material from several DVDs onto one dual-layer DVD or writable Blu-ray disc. The compilation mode lets you choose the number of source DVDs and assign disc volume names. It reads the sources in turn, prompting for each disc, and then burns the combined result to the selected target.
DVD movies already stored on the hard drive can also supply a compilation. Separately, Expert mode can burn a local DVD movie back to optical media, either directly or after applying movie-only, customized, compression or split-copy options.
MKV conversion
Ripping to MKV creates a video file rather than a DVD image with menus. DVD-Cloner can keep video, audio and subtitle streams together in that file, including multiple tracks. Its default DVD conversion uses H.264, while the MKV settings let you select H.265 and adjust the output size.
The encoder choice also includes an option to copy without re-encoding. This retains the source video instead of compressing it again. For encoded output, the encoding-speed setting changes the compression processing, and optional OpenCloner AI Upscaler integration provides picture enhancement during DVD-to-MKV conversion.
Blu-ray and UHD backups
For Blu-ray movies, DVD-Cloner offers a movie-only copy to BD-25, reading and re-encoding the feature before burning it. UHD copying uses a movie-only BD-50 target. UHD work requires the 64-bit application and a supported UHD-friendly drive; a drive that merely reads UHD discs is not necessarily compatible with this copying process.
Blu-ray and UHD movies can also become MKV files. The UHD workflow can retain audio tracks and subtitles, with H.264 or H.265 selected in the conversion settings. Disc decryption support affects which titles can be read, so a newly released movie may require updated support before a backup can proceed.
DVD-Cloner editions
The standard DVD-Cloner product includes disc copying, MKV ripping, DVD combining and burning existing disc content or ISO images. Gold adds the ability to create DVD or Blu-ray discs from MP4/MKV videos and burn documents to disc. Platinum includes those additions and DVD conversion to other video formats, such as MP4 and MOV.
