DVD Menu Creator: How to Create Custom DVD Menus with DVD Menu Makers

The DVD menu sets the tone for the entire viewing experience because it is the first thing viewers see when they insert a disc. It serves as a portal, providing a quick and simple way to browse the content and decide what to watch. But how do you create a custom DVD menu that’s both professional and unique? Read on to learn the step-by-step guide to using top DVD menu creator, and share valuable tips to help you design the perfect DVD menu for any occasion.

How to Choose the Best DVD Menu Creator for Your Needs

To choose the right DVD menu creator, you need to consider a few key factors that can significantly affect your experience. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced user, understanding these key elements will help you pick a tool that that's right for the job. Here are some helpful tips to consider before selecting the best DVD Menu creator for your needs:

1. Built-in Editor and Menu Creator Feature

Look for DVD creator software that includes both a menu creator and video editing features. This way, you can customize your videos and create menus without needing a separate editing program. A well-designed DVD menu comprises several crucial components, including

• Menu Title
• Chapter/Scene Selection
• Background
• Submenus
• Special Features or Extras
• Navigation Buttons
• Play/Pause Controls
• Audio and Language Options

2. File Format Support

Check if the DVD menu creator supports a wide range of popular video and image file formats. The more formats it supports, the more versatile and suitable the software will be for your needs.

3. GPU Acceleration

Look for software that supports GPU acceleration, which will speed up the burning process after you’ve customized your DVD menu. This feature is quite useful when working with large video files, helping you save time in the final stages.

4. Cost

If you decide on paid software, make sure it offers good value for the price. Compare different options to find one that is within your budget and satisfies your requirements.

5. Simple Installation and User-Friendly Navigation

Choose software that is simple to install and navigate. Complicated installation processes or confusing user interfaces might detract from the overall experience. Opt for software with simple and intuitive user interfaces.

Considering these factors will help you select the best DVD menu creator that meets your needs and offers the ideal balance of functionality, ease of use, and price.

The Best DVD Menu Creators of 2024

DVDFab DVD Creator

Compatible OS: Windows & Mac

DVDFab DVD Creator makes it simple to make a dvd and create custom DVD menus that look professional. It offers a wide range of ready-to-use menu templates, both static and dynamic, that are regularly updated. You can easily customize these templates by changing the background, text, and buttons to match your style or theme.

The software also supports multiple audio tracks and subtitles, so you can easily produce DVDs in several languages. These features make your menus both visually appealing and functional, resulting in a more enjoyable viewing experience. Whether for personal or professional use, DVDFab DVD Creator helps you create DVDs with menus that stand out.

How to Make a DVD Menu with the Best DVD Menu Creator

To make sure your DVD looks professional and is simple to use, we'll show you step-by-step how to use the DVDFab DVD Creator to make a custom menu. Let's begin!

Step 1: Launch DVDFab DVD Menu Creator and Load Video Sources

• Download and launch DVDFab DVD Creator.

• Import your video files (batch DVD burning is supported by the software).
• Once your videos have been loaded, the interface will display input-output information as well as customization choices.

Step 2: Customize Your DVD Menu Using Free Templates

• Click the "Menu Settings" button to choose from a number of templates.
• The default background is a "starry sky" template, but you can also choose from various themes like kid-friendly, school, or movie menus.
• Customize the menu by changing the font, size, and color for the navigation text.
• If you want a blank template, simply remove the text and shapes. You can also upload a custom background image for personalization.

• Go back to the main interface to choose subtitles and audio tracks. If needed, add external subtitles and click the "Play" button to preview your video.
• In "Advanced Settings," you can change the output size, quality, menu properties, and playback mode.

Step 3: Start Creating the DVD Menu

• Place a blank DVD in your computer's optical drive or save it as an ISO file or folder to your hard drive.

• Click the "Start" button to start to make a DVD and create your DVD menuthe DVD menu. DVDFab will complete the task 30X faster than other software.

DVDStyler

Compatible OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux

DVDStyler is an open-source DVD burner that lets you make professional-looking DVDs with personalized menus. It has an intuitive UI and supports multi-core processors for improved performance. With DVDStyler, you can easily import background images and freely position text, images, buttons, and other components on your DVD menu.

This free DVD menu creator supports a range of video formats, including AVI, MPEG, MOV, WMV, MP4, and OGG. Once you've designed your menu, you can easily import and burn unprotected videos with a simple drag-and-drop process.

How to Make a DVD Menu with DVDStyler

Below is the step-by-step on how to use the DVDStyler to create DVD menu:

Step 1: Create a New Project

• Select Create a new project from the welcome dialog or click the New button.
• Enter a disc label.
• Choose the DVD capacity: 4.7 GB (Single Layer) or 8.5 GB (Double Layer).
• Choose a video format: NTSC (North America and Japan) or PAL (other areas).
• Click OK.
• Enter the DVD menu's title and select a template.

Step 2: Add Movie Clips

• Click the File browser tab on the left panel.
• Navigate to the folder containing your movie clips; icons will appear on the right.
• Drag and drop the clips you want onto the Titleset Manager at the bottom.
• Alternatively, use the file dialog or drag files from a file manager such as Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Design a DVD Menu

• To change the menu background, select the Backgrounds tab and double-click a picture.
• Add a menu title:
  • In the Menu Editor, right-click and choose Add > Text. Then add the title.
  • Adjust its position using handles, then change the font or size in the text properties dialog
• Add buttons:
  • Select the Buttons tab and drag a button into the Menu Editor.
  • Double-click the button to edit properties (e.g., action, title, color, font).
  • To apply the changes, click OK and return to the Menu Editor.
• Edit button properties (action, title, color, and font):
  • Double-click the button in the Menu Editor.
  • Change the settings you want in the properties window.
  • Click OK to apply the changes and return to the Menu Editor.

Step 4: Save the Project

• To save your project, simply click the Save button.

Step 5: Burn the DVD

• Click the Burn button.
• Check the preview box before burning the DVD.
• Insert a blank disc, select a drive, then click the Start button.
• If Preview is enabled, it will play before the burning process begins.

Leawo DVD Creator

Compatible OS: Windows & Mac

Leawo DVD Creator is a professional software designed for creating DVDs with attractive menus. It comes with over 40 pre-designed menu templates and lets you create DVD menus in just a few clicks. With its user-friendly features and functionalities, Leawo DVD Creator provides a reliable and efficient platform for DVD creation.

How to Make a DVD Menu with Leawo DVD Creator

Below is the step-by-step on how to use the Leawo DVD Creator to create DVD menu:

Step 1: Access the Disc Menu Sidebar

• Open the application and look for the disc menu template sidebar on the right.
• If the sidebar is hidden, click the green button with a left-pointing triangle in the center of the scroll bar to show it.

Step 2: Select a Disc Menu Template

• Navigate to the Built-in tab to browse preloaded templates.
• Click the Online tab to browse more templates and download your favorites.
• Edited and saved templates are displayed in the Custom tab.

Step 3: Preview and Edit the Disc Menu Template

• Preview the Template:
  • Hover over a template and click the Preview button that appears.

• Edit the Template:
  • To open the editing panel, click the Edit button in the submenu bar.

a. Customize Titles and Text:

• Double-click on titles or text to rename them.
• While editing, use the right-click menu to change the font size, color, and style.

b. Change Background Image or Video:

• To change the background image or video, click the image button in the bottom left corner.
• Click Background Image to enable image or video backgrounds.
• To add a new image, click Image File, then Browse and select an image file from your computer.
• To use a video as the background, select Video File and pick a video file.
• To undo changes, click the Reset button.

c. Add Background Music:

• To open the music settings, click the first button (music icon) at the bottom left
• Select a music file from your computer via the Browse button.
• Set playback duration (1–60 seconds) and enable effects like Fade in, Fade out, or Loop Play.
• Click Reset to cancel changes if needed.

d. Save Your Settings:

• After finalizing your background and music settings, click the third button in the bottom-left corner labeled "Save" to save your changes.

Freemake DVD Menu Creator

Compatible OS: Windows

Freemake DVD Menu Creator is a free DVD burning tool that includes a built-in menu maker. It allows you to create and customize DVD menus effortlessly using preset templates.

The software also supports basic menu editing, such as uploading local images to set as the menu background. However, access to advanced menu editing features requires a subscription to the Freemake Mega Pack.

How to Make a DVD Menu with Freemake DVD Menu Creator

Below is the step-by-step on how to use the Freemake DVD Menu Creator to create DVD menue:

Step 1: Download and Install

• On your Windows PC, download and install Freemake Video Converter.

Step 2: Import Videos

• Following installation, launch the software.
• Click the + Video button to add videos you want to burn to a DVD.

Step 3: Choose a DVD Menu Template

• To open the Edit Menu window, select DVD from the format bar..
• On the right side of the window, browse and select one of the free DVD menu templates.
• To use a custom background, check the Use custom background option and upload an image.
• Click OK to save changes and exit the Edit Menu window.

Step 4: Burn the DVD

• Insert a blank DVD into the computer's DVD drive.
• Click the "Burn" button to start creating your DVD with the custom menu.

Best DVD Menu Creator: Which One Is Right for You

Choosing the right DVD menu creator can be tricky, so we’ve created a comparison table to highlight each tool’s features:

Conclusion

Creating a custom DVD menu enhances the viewer’s experience and gives your DVD a professional touch. The right DVD menu creator, such as DVDFab DVD Creator, DVDStyler, Leawo DVD Creator, or Freemake DVD Menu Creator, offers a variety of features like customizable templates, multi-language support, and video editing tools to help you design menus tailored to your style and needs.

By considering key factors like ease of use, format compatibility, and customization options, you'll be able to select the best tool for your project. Now, it's time to bring your creativity to life and create stunning custom menus that elevate your DVDs!

FAQs

Can I add my own music or videos to the DVD menu?

Yes, most DVD menu makers let you personalise your menu by adding your own music or videos. You can also customise further by uploading images, changing the background and adding motion effects to the menus.

Can I create multiple menus for different sections of my DVD?

Yes, DVD Menu Creators allow you to create multiple menus for organizing different sections or chapters of your DVD. These tools enable you to structure your content hierarchically, making it easier for viewers to navigate through various parts of the DVD.

Are DVD Menu Creators compatible with all types of DVDs?

Yes, most DVD Menu Creators are designed to support a wide range of DVD formats. They allow you to create menus compatible with both standard-definition and high-definition DVDs. So that your menus work seamlessly across various playback devices.

Do DVD Menu Creators allow for animation or dynamic effects?

Yes, many DVD Menu Creators allow you to incorporate animation or dynamic effects into your menus. Some tools enable you to create both static and animated menus, with the ability to set chapter marks with frame-by-frame precision. Others offer a wide range of pre-designed static and dynamic templates that you can customize to fit your content and style preferences, adding a professional and engaging touch to your DVD menus.

Can I preview the DVD menu before burning it?

Yes, most DVD Menu Creators let you preview the menu and chapters before you burn. So you can check the design, navigation and functionality before you finalise the DVD.