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How to Burn Videos to DVDs

by Michael Dance

  • Overview

    Burning videos on your computer to DVDs that can be playable in your DVD player has swiftly become a popular features of most computers. Though the burning process tends to be easy, the hard part is figuring out what software utility to use based on what operating system and programs you have available. No matter what your current setup is, always start by inserting a blank DVD-R into your DVD burning drive.

  • Burn a Video to a DVD with a Mac

 

  • Step 1

    Check to see if any DVD burning software came with your Mac. Most newer Macs have a program called iDVD (part of the iLife suite) built in; the most popular (paid) alternative is a program called Toast from Roxio.

  • Step 2

    Drag your video file into the main iDVD window or in Toast drag the video file into the Video tab.

  • Step 3

    Click the "Burn" button: sometimes called "Burn", sometimes called "Record", sometimes just a big round button. In the latest version of iDVD, it's a circle that, when clicked, opens to reveal the "radioactive" symbol.

  • Burn a Video to a DVD with Windows Vista Home Premium

    • Step 1

      Open Windows DVD Maker in the Start menu under "All Programs."

    • Step 2

      Drag the desired video file into the DVD Maker window. Click "Next."

    • Step 3

      Choose a menu for the DVD if desired, then click "Burn."

  • Burn a Video to a DVD with Windows XP or Windows Vista Home Basic

    • Step 1

      Check to see what kind of DVD burning software your computer came bundled with, if any. Many Windows computers come with Roxio's MyDVD; simply open the Start menu, click the search box, and search for "DVD."

    • Step 2

      Click on "Add New Movie" if you're using MyDVD. If you're using another program, most DVD burning software has either a large input box to which you can drag video files, or an "Add Movie/Video" option in the task bar or File menu.

    • Step 3

      Click on the "Burn" button in the top center of the screen on MyDVD. Other programs will also have a "Burn" button, usually accompanied by an icon that looks like a shiny disc.
    • 3
    • Computer DVD Burner Blank DVD-R disc
    • Computer
    • DVD Burner
    • Blank DVD-R disc
    • If you only need to burn data to a DVD and don't need the DVD to play in a DVD player, Macs and PCs both have the ability built in automatically. In a Mac's Finder window, click "File", "New Burn Folder", drag the video into the folder, and click "File", "Burn to Disk." In Windows, simply go to the Computer or My Computer folder, open the DVD drive, drag the video in, and click "Close Session." If your computer did not come with any DVD burning software at all, download the free utility ImgBurn (see Resources) or perform a search for free DVD burning software.
    • If you only need to burn data to a DVD and don't need the DVD to play in a DVD player, Macs and PCs both have the ability built in automatically. In a Mac's Finder window, click "File", "New Burn Folder", drag the video into the folder, and click "File", "Burn to Disk." In Windows, simply go to the Computer or My Computer folder, open the DVD drive, drag the video in, and click "Close Session."
    • If your computer did not come with any DVD burning software at all, download the free utility ImgBurn (see Resources) or perform a search for free DVD burning software.
    • Many older DVD players have trouble playing DVD-Rs. If you think you've done everything correctly but the DVD won't play on your player, try playing it with your computer's DVD playing software.
    • Many older DVD players have trouble playing DVD-Rs. If you think you've done everything correctly but the DVD won't play on your player, try playing it with your computer's DVD playing software.

    References & Resources

       
       
     
     

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