DVDs are one of the most common media for storing, backing up, and sending files. These discs are also a great medium for playing movies from a computer or almost any DVD player. If you have a DVD burning drive, you can quickly create DVDs using the tools included in most computer operating systems. If you want to create a DVD that can be played on almost any DVD player, you will need to use the help of a free program.
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Method 1 of 4: Choosing the Right DVD Disc Format
Step 1. Learn the correct disc format for your drive, burning program, destination, and device, as well as the playback device you want to use
Before buying a new blank DVD, first find out and identify the disc format that matches the device you have. By knowing it before buying a disc in bulk, you won't feel upset or “lost” by choosing the wrong product.
- DVD+R. With this format, the disc used is rewritable. You can also delete files (using the right program) and replace them with new files. Old files will be hidden behind new files and still take up storage space.
- DVD-R. With this format, the disc cannot be erased and reused, even if the saved files have been copied to another drive or burned to a new disc.
- ROM stands for Read Only Media. This means that files that have been burned cannot be deleted and are permanently stored on the disc.
- RW indicates that old files can be deleted and will not take up space after new files are written or burned back to disk.
Step 2. Look for the format symbols/icons on the packaging, the top of the drive, the user manual for the device, or the device itself
Not all DVD discs can be burned using a computer. Some disc types do allow you to burn DVD movies and menus, but they won't play on DVD players.
Keep in mind the brand of product that works better on existing devices. Some playback devices are quite “fussy” with the brand of disc they are inserted/used. In addition, some brands produce products that are stronger and more durable than others. Professional movie discs are a fairly expensive level/type of disc compared to regular DVD discs
Method 2 of 4: Burn DVD Video
Step 1. Look for the DVD video icon (video icon with disc) on the burner and playback device before you buy the disc set
Buy a DVD with the same icon. This format is likely to work with existing devices (as long as the icons they have are similar).
To make a video DVD, buy a disc in the DVD-R format. Many player devices can't play DVD+R format discs properly. In addition, the DVD menu can not function properly when burned in that format. You can tweak the manufacturer's settings to work around this problem, but it's best if this is done by more experienced/skilled users
Step 2. Download and install a DVD maker program
If you want to burn a video file to DVD so that it can be played on a DVD player, you will need a special burning program known as a DVD authoring program or "DVD authoring". A program like this will convert the video file into a format that can be recognized/read by a separate DVD player. Usually, programs like this are not installed by default on the computer. You may have a trial or a basic version of the program included with the purchase package of the DVD burning device. Below are some of the most popular free options for the major computer operating systems:
- WinX DVD Author - winxdvd.com/dvd-author/ (Windows)
- Burn - burn-osx.sourceforge.net (Mac)
- DeVeDe - rastersoft.com/programas/devede.html (Linux; Windows version no longer available for free)
- DVD Styler - dvdstyler.org/en/
- DVD Flick- dvdflick.net/ (This program is no longer updated, but it can still be used. With practice, you can create your own backgrounds and buttons. This program is available for Windows computers)
Step 3. Create a new video project in the DVD creator program
This process will vary slightly depending on the program you're using, but you'll usually be given a menu when you start the program so you can choose the type of DVD you want to create. In this menu, select the "Video" option/tab.
Step 4. Add video files to the new project
After starting the project, you can add the first video file. Most DVD-creating programs support all the major video formats, so you usually don't have to go through the hassle of converting the file first. Click and drag the video file into the program window, or browse the video file on your computer.
Usually, you can fit a full-length movie file or multiple episodes of an hour-long television show onto one disc
Step 5. Start the conversion process
Often the added video file doesn't have the proper MPEG-2 format to play on a DVD player. The extension name for this format is. MPEG or. MPG. Most DVD-creating programs can convert video files, either when they're added to your project or after you've finished adding files. This conversion process may take a few moments.
- Select the appropriate region for the DVD player when prompted. The United States and Japan use the NTSC format, while most European countries use the PAL format.
- If you use DeVeDe, the format conversion occurs at the end of the DVD creation process.
- If you receive an error message when you try to convert the file, you may need to use a special conversion program such as Handbrake. Click here to find out how to use Handbrake to convert files to a compatible DVD format.
- Flash-Integro (or the free version of VSDC Movie Editor) also converts movie files into the required format and offers many editing options such as cutting and splitting videos. Visit the Flash-Integro site to download it (make sure you're not accessing a fake site).
- You can also record videos through a media player program such as VLC or PotPlayer in MPEG format to convert the former. The recording process takes the same amount of time as the duration of the film/video.
Step 6. Create a menu
Many DVD creation programs offer basic menu creation tools. This tool allows you to design the menu for the DVD being created. You don't need a menu for the video to play because the video itself will actually play automatically when the disc is inserted into the drive.
- In the Burn for Mac program, click the gear icon and select "Use DVD theme" to activate the basic menu on your DVD.
- When creating menus, do not place buttons along the sides of the frame. These edges are usually clipped on older TVs or DVD players.
Step 7. Insert a blank DVD disc
Once the video is converted and the menu is created, you can start the burning process. Insert a blank DVD-R into your computer's DVD drive/burner. This is the best disc format for creating video DVDs because DVD-R is compatible with a wide variety of DVD players. Some older DVD players may not be able to play any DVDs that have been burned, regardless of the format.
If the computer displays an “AutoPlay” window when a disc is inserted, close the window
Step 8. Open the “Burn” menu in the DVD maker program
Again, this process will depend on the program used. There are a few settings you need to check before burning the project to disc:
- Set "Write Speed" to a low level. Even if you want to set the write/burn speed to max or some other high level, this can cause errors that prevent the disc from playing. The best way to ensure that discs can still play is to set the burn speed to “2X” or “4X” only.
- If you haven't been prompted to select a region, check the NTSC or PAL options on the “Burn” menu and select the appropriate option.
Step 9. Burn the disc
After reviewing the settings, start the burning process by clicking the “Start” or “Burn” button. If the video format has not been changed, the file will be converted before burning to disc. Overall this process can take a while, especially if you've lowered your burn/write speed. Try not to use the computer during the conversion and burning process as this can slow down the process and cause errors.
If you use DeVeDe, the program will only create an ISO file (a disc image). You will need to burn the ISO file itself. Read this segment for more information
Step 10. Play the burned disc
Once the burning and conversion process is complete, you can play the new disc on most DVD player devices. Keep in mind that not all DVD players support burnt DVDs, especially older models.
Method 3 of 4: Burn Data DVD
Step 1. Insert a blank DVD in the DVD burning drive
If you want to archive data or don't want others to “overwrite” the data that has been copied to the disc, use a disc with DVD-R or DVD-R DL (Dual Layer) format. If you want to still be able to rewrite and edit content on a DVD, use a disc in the DVD-RW format.
Step 2. Open the DVD in your computer's file browsing program
Most computer operating systems allow you to burn data directly to a DVD via a file browsing window, without any additional programs. Once a blank disc is inserted, you can add files and folders.
- In Windows 7 and later versions, you will be asked to specify whether you want the disc to be used like a regular USB drive or DVD. When you select " Like a USB flash drive ", the disc can be rewritten, even if the disc does not have a rewritable format. However, this process can only be followed on Windows computers. With the “With a CD/DVD player” option, the DVD will function as a regular disc that needs to be “ripened” and can only be used once (in this case, filled with files).
- If you are using Mac OS X, a blank disc will appear on the desktop. Double-click the disc to open it in a Finder window.
Step 3. Drag files and folders to a blank disc window
You will not lose the original copy of the file. For one blank DVD-R disc, you can enter a total of approximately 4.38 GB of data. The status bar at the bottom of the window will show how much storage space you have left.
Step 4. Burn the disc
When you're done adding files, you can burn the disc and eject it so you can use it on another computer. This process is slightly different, depending on the operating system and settings applied.
- If you previously selected the " Like a USB flash drive " option on your Windows computer, simply eject the disc when you're done adding files. The disc is then ready to be used on another Windows computer. This process takes about one to several minutes.
- If you selected the " With a CD/DVD player " option on your Windows computer, click the " Finish burning " button to complete the disc burning process. This process may take several minutes.
- If you are using Mac OS X, click the “Burn” button next to the disc name in the left sidebar.
Method 4 of 4: Burn ISO Files and Other Disc Images
Step 1. Identify your disc image file
A disc image file is an exact copy of a DVD or CD that must be burned to a blank disc before it can be used. This file converts the disc into an original copy. There are many different types of disc image files that you may have downloaded. The most common image file type is ISO, and you can use the built-in program in Windows 7 and later (or Mac OS X) to burn this file to a blank disc. Several other disc image formats, including CDR, BIN/CUE, DMG, CDI, and NRG.
If you are using Windows Vista or XP, or want to burn an image file other than an ISO, you will need to install an image file burning program. One of the most popular programs for Windows users is ImgBurn (imgburn.com)
Step 2. Insert a blank DVD in the burning drive/device
Burning an image file on a disc will "close" the write file so that the disc cannot be rewritten. For best results, use a DVD-R format disc.
Step 3. Open the image burning program
This process differs depending on the operating system and installed programs:
- Windows 7, 8, and 10 – Right-click the ISO file and select "Burn to disc". After that, the Windows Disc Image Burner tool will be opened.
- OS X – Run the Disk Utility program which can usually be found in the “Utilities” folder. Drag the ISO file to the left frame/bar of the Disk Utility window.
- Windows Vista and XP, or non-ISO files – Run an image burning program and load the image file.
Step 4. Start the burning process
Click the " Burn " button to burn the ISO file or other disc image file to a blank DVD. This process may take about a few minutes, depending on the speed of the burning device and the size of the image file being burned.
