Many people associate DVD replication with illegal downloading and copying of movie DVD's. However, companies that specialize in DVD replication offer a valuable service. Aside from movie and music DVD's, many businesses, and organizations produce DVD's as a marketing tool. For example, a pool retailer may provide potential customers with an informational DVD. The company will likely produce one master copy, and then order several thousand duplicates. In this case, a company providing DVD replication on a large scale is very beneficial. Of course, companies could save money and create each individual DVD in-house. On the other hand, if the equipment to produce large volume DVD's is unavailable, creating duplicate DVDs will take a long time.

DVD replication services have reasonable rates and offer a fast turnaround time. Local print and copy shops have the ability to reproduce non-copyrighted DVDs. Yet, these shops are limited in the number of DVD's they can produce. Services that specialize in copying DVDs may provide the client with special coding, which prevents unauthorized reproduction of the DVD. Moreover, clients may choose additional features such as color images or covers to accompany each replication. Even though the price for DVD duplicates is reasonable, individuals and companies needing a small number of DVDs may not benefit from the service. Maximum savings are received with large volume copying.

Duplication of a single DVD is very simple. Most computer systems are equipped with software that allows copying of CDs and DVDs. Because some DVDs include encrypted codes, these cannot be copied with an ordinary burner. Rather, users would need to install or download software that is able to decipher the copy protected codes. Software such as DVD shrinks and DVD decrypters are useful. Once the copy protected codes are disabled or removed from the disc, the DVD may be duplicated.