In the era of streaming, physical media like CDs and DVDs might seem obsolete. However, many people still have extensive collections gathering dust. This guide explores how to digitize your cherished discs for easy access and preserve them for future enjoyment. We’ll also cover how to declutter unwanted discs by selling them.
Why Digitize Your Discs?
While streaming services offer a vast library of content, digitizing your physical media has several advantages:
- Access Unavailable Content: Not everything is available for streaming, or you might not subscribe to the service that carries it. A digital copy grants access across all your devices without needing a physical drive.
- Preserve Original Quality: Digitizing allows you to retain the original audio and video quality, often surpassing the compressed versions offered by streaming platforms.
- Create a Personal Media Server: Building a personal media server, like Plex, lets you access your digitized content from anywhere without recurring subscription fees. It’s a rewarding project for tech enthusiasts.
Getting Started: Choosing a Disc Drive
An LG external USB DVD driveA versatile external USB DVD drive from LG.
If your computer lacks a built-in optical drive, an external USB drive is necessary. Affordable DVD/CD drives are readily available online. For Blu-rays, the process is more complex, particularly for 4K discs, requiring specialized hardware and potentially third-party firmware to bypass copy protection.
Digitizing CDs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Freac CD ripping menuThe fre:ac interface, ready for CD ripping.
Fre:ac, a free and open-source program available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, is an excellent tool for CD digitization. Insert the CD, open fre:ac, and it will automatically retrieve album information from CDDB.
Manually add album art by downloading an image and adding it within the “Tags” tab under “Album” and “Cover Art.” Configure output file settings (Options > General Settings > Output files) to specify save location, folder structure, and file names.
Customizing the output files in fre:acConfiguring output file settings in fre:ac.
Choose your preferred output format. FLAC preserves original CD quality, while MP3 and AAC offer smaller file sizes at the expense of some quality. Initiate the ripping process by clicking the play button. Other useful tools include MusicBrainz Picard for automated tagging and MP3Tag for bulk editing track information.
Digitizing DVDs with MakeMKV
Ripping a DVD in MakeMKVUsing MakeMKV to create a digital copy of a DVD.
MakeMKV, another free program, simplifies DVD ripping into the MKV format. Click the disc icon, select the save location, and start the process. Note that ripping copy-protected DVDs may be illegal. Organize the resulting MKV files into a folder, adhering to naming conventions if using a Plex server. MakeMKV also handles Blu-ray ripping and requires a license after a trial period, though free beta keys are periodically available. For smaller file sizes, compress the MKV files using HandBrake.
Selling Unwanted Discs
Scanning and selling discs in DecluttrDecluttr app: Scan barcodes to sell your old discs.
Selling your physical media after digitizing is generally not permitted if you retain the digital copy. Decluttr offers a convenient way to sell unwanted CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Their app allows you to scan barcodes and receive instant price quotes. While payouts may be modest, it provides a hassle-free way to declutter and potentially give your discs a new home.
Conclusion
Digitizing your CD and DVD collection provides a modern way to enjoy your media library while preserving its quality. Free tools like fre:ac and MakeMKV make the process relatively straightforward. Selling unwanted discs through platforms like Decluttr offers a convenient decluttering solution. Embrace the digital age while cherishing your physical media memories.
