Burning a DVD

Hello,

How do I burn video files to a DVD in such a way that it will load the movie when I put it in a DVD player?
Thanks.

Procyon

 

Use whatever DVD authoring came with your laptop (like WinDVD Creator, for example). Import your video files. Then, when you go to finish the DVD, choose no title menu. The files will play in whatever order you imported them as soon as you insert your DVD.

If you're inserting the DVDs into your laptop, they will not play automatically if you have autorun for movie DVDs turned off. However, they will play if you insert them into a standalone DVD player.

Malia

 

that's assuming your laptop did come with DVD authoring software. Not all do.

 

Thanks. I have sonic record now plus. Is that sufficient?
Are there any free ones out there?

Procyon

 

Sonic RecordNow will burn DVDs, but it will not do what you need done. "Movie" DVDs are not avi, mov, etc, files burnt on a disk. You need a program that will convert your files into what they should be. It can be very simple or very complicated, depending on how much control you want to have. At this point, I'm sure whatever's simplest is best.

There is free software, but since mine came with WinDVD Creator and I don't care much for home movies, I haven't needed to check them out. The best place to go look, however, is videohelp.com. They have lists of software to do just about anything, descriptions of what each does, and how much they cost. A good number are free. I'm sure you'll find something good there. There are also many how-to guides there that are worth reading as well as forums. CD Freaks is another good forum for this stuff, but it has a different focus than VideoHelp. For example, if you want to learn about media, etc, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people around on CD Freaks - so if you hang out there, you'll learn about exciting things like pifs... Or not so exciting, depending on what you're interested in. Anyway, like I said, if you want to just have a DVD that starts when you put it into a standalone DVD player with nothing fancy, it'll be very easy once you find a program to do it for you.

Good luck!

Malia

 

I wholeheartedly recommend Nero.
If you are unwilling to pirate serials, then the thirty day emo should suffice.

 

I second the Nero recommendation. I love the program!

 

I don't think he wants to spend any money... Nero has quite a few problems too. I installed the trial once and uninstalled it the same night. It comes with so much bloatware, and I didn't want to go through the trouble of figuring out how to remove every single piece of junk one-by-one.

Malia

 

this is the solution if you're making back ups of DVDs you already legally own...

DVD Shrink + DVD Decrypter. Both are freeware programs. You might have to look around a little to find them, but it's worth it.

DVD Shrink takes the DVD and makes it so that it will all fit onto a 4.7GB DVD disc, then DVD Decrypter burns it so that you can watch it in your DVD player.

This guide should help you get started.

 

It's worth noting that DVD Decrypter, or any other piece of software, will not work on Mat$hita (Panasonic) drives. Also, I believe it's MPAA's stance that making backups of legally purchased DVDs is still illegal.

Malia

 

I'm going to agree with Malia that Nero is not worth the trouble. I've had to use it at work and it's always a hassle.

 

I have Nero 6 on both my desktop and laptop. Works for me.