Back to Create a Video File
USE 3RD PARTY DVD AUTHORING SOFTWARE TO CREATE AND BURN THE DVD
Once you create the movie file, you then have to use DVD authoring software to actually burn the DVD.
All that CAPTURE/CAPTURE will do is to create a movie file (.mpg, .avi, .wmv) that can be viewed on a
PC using Windows Media Player. You need the DVD authoring software to add in the titles, transitions,
menus, etc. that you expect to see when you put a DVD into a DVD player. If you try to burn the movie
file direct to a DVD without using any DVD authoring software, then the DVD that you create will have
the movie file, but will not have the other files/folders needed by a DVD player. Examples of DVD
authoring software include Sonic's MyDVD; Nero Version Express 2; ULEAD's DVD Picture Show,
Movie Factory, and Video Editor; Coral's DVD authoring products, just to name a few.
Be aware that some programs (such as Sonic's Lite Record Now that may come with your DVD writer) can
create "data" DVDs, but these won't play on your TV. You need a DVD authoring program that can create
a "video" DVD. Here's how to check which one you have. If after you burn the DVD, the only file on it
is the video file that you "input" into it, then you created a DATA DVD which will not play on your TV.
If after you burn the DVD, you see a VIDEO_TS folder, then you successfully created a VIDEO DVD which
should play on your TV.
Don't own a DVD authoring program? No problem. There is a free (freeware) version available. You'll
find it at KeronSoft.com.
Vista/Win 7 users have a free program that came with Vista & Windows 7. It's Microsoft's DVD Maker.
Find instructions on how to use it here.
The main thing to remember is that you will use the movie file
.../MYALBUM/WEDDING/movie.mpg) that you
created earlier in this tutorial as input into these programs. Do not try to use any of the files created
in Step 1. If you have the option, then let the authoring program write the folders (VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS)
to your hard drive. Then, you can use your standard DVD writer software to create a DATA disk (using a
blank DVD) which you copy those two folders to.
To burn a DVD, you must have a DVD burner. Without a DVD burner, you'll have to settle for creating either
VCD or SVCDs. (The only way to burn a "DVD" with a CD burner is to burn a "mini DVD" and I don't think they
work on most DVD players.) VCDs and SVCDs can be burned on CDs using CD burners. I found that I had better
luck with creating VCDs then with SVCDs (that could have been due to my DVD player). Not all DVD players w
ill play VCDs or SVCDs, so some of your friends and family will not be able to view your final product.
I finally bought an inexpensive DVD burner at FRYs (under $100).
Should you use DVD+ or DVD-? Good question. Some DVD drives (writers) can only use one or the other - so
the answer depends on your DVD writer. See the Problems, Tips, and Solutions Section for more.
This concludes the beginners' section. If all has gone well, you are feeling smug and happy - and you
should be! Congratulations.
If you've run into any problems then it's time to start the next section, which deals with Problems, Tips,
and Solutions.
Sneak peek at Section 2.