Video to DVD burning is useful for archiving and creating physical backups of important content, providing compatibility with older devices and systems that don't support digital files, and allowing for customization with menus and chapters. DVDs are also a reliable, offline medium for sharing videos without requiring internet access, making them ideal for professional distribution, personal gifts, or situations where digital storage isn't feasible. This tutorial is about how to burn videos to DVDs, and we provide you with several solutions.
A Comparison Table of Several Video to DVD Burning Software
When it comes to burning videos to DVDs, choosing the right software is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient process. With a variety of options available, it can be difficult to know which one best suits your needs. To help make the decision easier, we've compiled a comparison table of several popular video to DVD burning software tools.
| Features/Burners | DVDFab DVD Creator | Xilisoft |
CD Burner XP |
Freemake | DVD Styler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS | Windows | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| DVD Menu Creation | Yes (Highly customizable templates) | Yes (Basic templates, customizable) | No | Yes (Basic templates) | Yes (Highly customizable) |
| Supports Custom Menus | Yes (Highly customizable, professional) | Yes (Basic customizable options) | No | Yes (Basic templates) | Yes (Full control over menus, layout) |
| Batch Conversion | Yes (Convert multiple videos at once) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Advanced Features | fast conversion, support for DVD-9 |
Basic menu creation and conversion | Free, lightweight, supports basic CD burning | Video conversion, audio extraction, basic editing | Full control over menus and DVD layouts |
How to Burn Videos to DVDs with Free and Paid Software
DVDFab DVD Creator
DVDFab DVD Creator is our top recommendation for creating DVD menus. It can easily burn various video formats to standard DVD discs, ISO files, or folders, all while offering sleek, professional menu designs. The software supports a wide array of input formats, including AVI, MP4, MKV, M2TS, FLV, MOV, VOB, Xvid, and TS, among others. Additionally, before burning the DVD with a menu, it allows you to customize settings such as output quality, volume label, TV standard (NTSC/PAL), aspect ratio (16:9/4:3), and playback mode.
- Create standard DVD discs, ISO files, or folders from over 200 video formats.
- Supports various disc types including DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL, and DVD-R DL.
- Offers intuitive DVD menu templates (both static and dynamic) to create professional-looking DVDs.
- Fully customize every element and widget within the DVD menu template, including background art, play/pause buttons, previous/next controls, thumbnails, and text font, size, and color.
- Allows you to switch between audio tracks and subtitles, add external subtitle files, and provides a smart preview feature.
- Burn DVDs in batches with GPU acceleration for faster speed and high-quality results.
How to burn a video to a DVD with DVDFab DVD Creator?
Step 1: Download and Lanch DVDFab DVD Creator
Start DVDFab DVD Creator on your computer, select the Creator mode in the left panel, and choose DVD Creator. Then, tap the Add button and load your source video file. Preferably, you can also drag and drop your MP4 video file.
Step 2: Customize the DVD menu using free templates
In the main information, you can see many information, such as runtime, name, audio, and subtitle information. You can customize the output parameters by selecting the preferred audio tracks and subtitle language. Also, you can add external subtitles or choose None if you don’t want any.
Step 3: Customize your DVD using the Advanced Settings and Menu Settings.
- Advanced Settings option lets you set the Output, Menu Properties, and Playback Mode.
- Menu Settings enables using the built-in DVD menu maker to personalize all the elements inside it, like editing videos, adding a background image, adjusting thumbnails, and so on.
Return to the main interface to select audio, subtitles, or add external subtitles, and preview the video. Click "Advanced Settings" to adjust output size, quality, menu properties, and playback mode.
Step 4: Start to burn your video to DVD
Insert a blank DVD into your PC's optical drive, or choose to save the DVD as an ISO file or folder on your HDD. Then, click the "Start" button to begin the DVD creation process. DVDFab will be up to 30X faster than other software.
Xilisoft
Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter is a multi-functional software tool, which aims to convert video files and burn them into DVD formats. It allows users to adopt various video formats, such as MP 4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MKV and so on, and convert them into DVD compatible files for playing on DVD players. The software also includes several customization options that allow users to create personalized DVDs, including menus, chapters and background music. Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter is the ideal choice for users who want to archive their video collections to DVD format or share videos in a physical format.
- Supports a Wide Range of Video Formats: The software supports many video formats, making it easy to convert almost any video file into a DVD-compatible format for burning.
- Customizable DVD Menus: It can create customized DVD menus with templates, background music, and images makes it easy to create a personalized DVD.
- Preview Before Burning: The preview feature ensures that the final product meets your expectations before committing to the burning process, which reduces the chances of wasting discs.
- Basic Editing Features: The video editing options are quite basic. If you're looking for more complex editing tools (e.g., transitions, effects, multi-track editing), this software may not meet your needs.
- No Blu-ray Support: This software is designed for DVD burning only. If you want to burn videos to Blu-ray discs, you'll need a different software solution.
How to burn a video to a DVD with XiliSoft Video to DVD Converter
Step 1: Download Xilisoft DVD Creator and install to your computer. Insert a DVD+R (DVD-R, DVD+RW or DVD-RW). Run the DVD Creator and add the files you want to convert by clicking 'Add Files' button under the 'File' menu.
Step 2: Customize the output aspect resize method by selecting the file's title and clicking the "Resize Method" combo-box, and then you will find 3 choices for you to set it at will.
Step 3: start to burn the video file by clicking "Start Burn" button. Or you can click "start burn" button in the main interface.
CD Burner XP
CD burner XP is a free, lightweight and simple software for burning CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Although its name indicates that it may only be limited to "XP" (Windows XP), it supports modern versions of Windows, including 7, 8 and 10. This software focuses on essential disc-burning capabilities without unnecessary extras, making it perfect for users looking for a simple solution for burning data, audio, and video onto various types of media.
- Free and lightweight: the software has no cost and will not increase the burden of system resources because of unnecessary background processes.
- User-Friendly Interface: Ideal for beginners, as the interface is intuitive and doesn't have a steep learning curve.
- No Adware or Bloatware: Unlike many free programs, CD Burner XP is free of toolbars, pop-ups, or other potentially unwanted software.
- Limited Features for Advanced Users: It lacks advanced features like DVD authoring, video editing, or customization options for burning.
- Stability Problem: Some users report that when dealing with large data files or performing multiple burning tasks at the same time, it occasionally crashes or is unstable.
- Windows Only: It is only available for Windows. There's no macOS or Linux support, which limits its reach.
How to burn a video to a DVD with CD Burner XP
Step 1: Launch CDBurnerXP by selecting Start > Programs > Burn CDs and DVDs > CDBurnerXP
The program will load. The main menu should appear. Select Data Disc to create a new Project.
Step 2: Add more files by dragging more items into the area, or by clicking Add again.
Give the disc a title by right-clicking on Disc and typing a new name.
Give your CD/DVD a relevant name so that you can tell what it contains without having to browse the contents.
Step 3: When you are satisfied with what has been added to the project click Burn.
FreeMake
FreeMake video converter is a multifunctional and user-friendly software designed to convert between video, audio and image formats in a wide range. It is one of the most popular free video converters available for Windows. It also includes the functions of burning DVD, making slides, downloading videos from YouTube and other websites, and even ripping DVD. It is famous for its simplicity, and it is an excellent choice for beginners who need a one-stop solution for video conversion and recording.
- Extensive Format Support: Freemake supports conversion between numerous video formats.
- Create Slideshows: The software allows you to create photo slideshows from images with transition effects and background music, which can be burned to DVD.
- Batch Conversion: Freemake supports batch conversion, which means you can convert multiple files at once, saving time when dealing with large collections of videos.
- Online Video Downloading: You can download videos from websites like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, and then convert or burn them.
- Watermark in Free Version: The free version adds a watermark to output files, especially when burning DVDs. This can only be removed by purchasing the paid version.
- Limited Advanced Features: For users needing finer control over video settings like bitrate, resolution, or advanced encoding options, Freemake may feel too basic.
- Windows Only: Like CD Burner XP, Freemake is available only for Windows, limiting access for macOS or Linux users.
How to burn a video to a DVD with FreeMake
Step 1: Download the latest free software version here and click the installation file.
Step 2: Сlick the "+Video" button at the top of the main window to open videos that you want to convert & burn to DVDs. One more way is to drag-n-drop media to the software interface. The files may be in different formats.
Step 3: Now click the "to DVD" button at the bottom of Freemake freeware for Windows 10; Then insert a blank disc to your CD/DVD burning drive.
Step 4: In a new window, select your DVD drive as an output destination for your files. Write a name your future disc in the title box. Please avoid special characters in the title; Select a type of menu that is most suitable for your output video; Finally, select the color encoding data system (PAL or NTSC).
DVD Styler
DVDStyler is an open source DVD authoring tool, which allows users to create professional quality DVDs with customizable menus, chapters and subtitles. It is very suitable for those who want to create a more personalized DVD experience, such as home videos, demonstrations or other media projects. Although it focuses on DVD creation, it also supports various video input formats and provides a certain degree of flexibility in the creative design for menus and DVD layouts.
- Free and Open-Source: DVD Styler is free to use, and being open-source, it has a growing community of contributors.
- Customizable Menus: Offers powerful tools for creating personalized DVD menus, including background music and interactive buttons.
- Supports Subtitles and Chapters: Ideal for those creating DVDs with multiple chapters or subtitles, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Limited Output Formats: DVD Styler is focused on creating DVDs, so it doesn’t support many formats that other tools like Freemake or DVDFab might offer.
- Occasional Instability: Some users report crashes when working on larger projects or adding too many elements at once.
- Basic Video Editing Features: While DVD Styler offers some basic editing functions like trimming or merging clips, it lacks advanced video editing tools.
How to burn a video to a DVD with DVDStyler
Step 1: Create a new project; Select a 'Create a new project' in the welcome dialog or click on new button
Step 2: Add movie clips; You can also add movie clips using file dialog or by dragging from any file manager like Windows Explorer.
Step 3: Design a DVD menu (optional); Click the 'Backgrounds' tab on the left side of the program window and select a DVD menu background image by double-clicking on an image in the 'Backgrounds' panel.
Step 4: Start to burn; Click on burn button. If you want to preview the finished DVD before burning, please select the box 'preview'.
FAQs
What format should a video file be in to burn to a DVD?
Most standard DVDs are MPEG-2 format discs. Home DVD players will also commonly play AC-3 or PCM audio CDS. MPEG-2 is also called H. 222 or H.
How to put videos on DVD?
Navigate to the folder where the video you want to burn is located. You'll want to open it and select the video file. Once you've selected the video file, drag it over to the DVD drive window. This will copy the selected video files to your DVD, ready for burning.
Conclusion
For burning videos to DVD, DVDFab DVD Creator is the best option for professional features, offering customizable menus, DVD-9 support, and fast batch conversion. For simpler needs, Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter and FreeMake Video Converter provide easy conversion and burning, but with limited customization. DVD Styler is a great free, open-source choice for DIY menu design, though it lacks advanced features. Overall, DVDFab is the most versatile and feature-rich option for high-quality DVD creation.