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This guide demonstrates how to convert an MP4 video file to a DVD format. To ensure compatibility with most DVD players, you'll need to utilize free software like DVD Flick (for Windows) or Burn (for Mac). If you simply wish to store the MP4 or play it exclusively on computers, you can use your computer's built-in burning software to write files onto DVDs.
Procedures
Creating a Playable DVD on Windows
Insert a blank DVD into your computer's DVD tray. You can utilize any rewriteable DVD formats, provided your DVD burner supports them. Options include DVD±R and DVD±RW, although DVD±RW discs may have limited compatibility with standalone DVD players.
- If any auto-play windows appear after inserting the DVD into your computer, close them before proceeding.
- If your computer lacks a DVD tray (marked with the word 'DVD' on or near the tray), you'll need to purchase and connect a USB DVD tray first.
Get the DVD Flick software. This software is free and can convert MP4 files to formats compatible with most DVD players. To acquire it:
- Visit http://www.dvdflick.net/download.php using your web browser.
- Click Download DVD Flick located in the middle of the page.
- Wait for the download to commence. You might need to designate a storage location and/or confirm the download.
Set up DVD Flick. Once the download is complete, double-click the DVD Flick setup file, and follow these steps:
- Click Next
- Tick the I accept box.
- Click Next four times.
- Hit Install
- Click Next
- Click Finish
Launch DVD Flick. Double-click the DVD Flick icon, which resembles a film strip. The DVD Flick window will open.
- You may need to click OK or Close on a tutorial window before proceeding.
Add an MP4 file to DVD Flick. Locate the MP4 video you wish to burn onto your DVD, drag and drop the video onto the DVD Flick window, and release the mouse button. This action will place the file into the DVD Flick window.
- If DVD Flick opens in full-screen mode, click the double-square icon in the upper-right corner of the window, then drag the top of the window to reposition it on the screen.
- If you have two windows open, drag one to the far-left side of the screen to snap it there, then select the other window to snap it to the opposite side of the screen.
Click on Project settings. This option is located at the top of the DVD Flick window. Clicking it will open the DVD Flick Settings page.
Access the Burning section. It's located on the left side of the page.
Tick the 'Burn project to disc' checkbox. You'll find this option near the top of the page. Selecting this option ensures that your MP4 file will be burned onto the DVD.
Click Accept. It's positioned at the bottom of the window. This action saves your settings and returns you to the main DVD Flick page.
- If you intend to use DVD Flick for future projects, choose Use as defaults instead.
Click Create DVD.
This button is located at the top of the window. Clicking it will initiate DVD Flick to start encoding and burning your MP4 file.
- If prompted with a warning about selecting a different file name, simply click Continue.
Wait for the process to finish. DVD encoding and burning can take anywhere from several minutes to an hour or more, depending on the video's duration.
- If an error occurs during this process, refer to the 'Tips' section at the end of this article for an alternative method to burn your MP4 onto a DVD using DVD Flick.
Verify your DVD. After completing the process, eject your DVD and insert it into the DVD player of your choice.
- If the DVD doesn't function as expected, refer to the 'Tips' section for potential troubleshooting.
Creating a Playable DVD on Mac
Insert a blank DVD into your drive. Any type of blank DVD can be used to create a video DVD, but DVD±R discs typically offer the broadest compatibility with various players.
- If any auto-play windows appear upon inserting the DVD into your computer, close them before proceeding.
- If your computer lacks a DVD tray (indicated by the word 'DVD' on or near the tray), you'll need to purchase and connect a USB DVD tray. Ensure compatibility by selecting a version that fits your computer's USB slots, as modern Macs utilize USB-C slots instead of traditional USB slots.
Download and install Burn. Burn is a free program that enables burning MP4 files to DVDs. Visit http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html in your web browser, click Download Burn in the lower-right corner of the page, and follow these steps:
- Open the Burn ZIP folder by double-clicking it.
- Drag and drop the Burn app icon into the Applications folder.
- Double-click the Burn app icon.
- Verify the download if prompted.
Launch Burn.Focus
igniteIgnite- To ensure Burn opens correctly, you might need to right-click the Burn app icon, select Open from the menu, and then click Open when prompted.
Navigate to the Video tab. Located at the top of the Burn app window, this action will switch the Burn file window to the 'Video' section.
Type in a name for your DVD. Click on the text field at the top of the Burn window, then replace the existing text (usually 'Untitled') with your desired DVD name.
Click on the ＋. This button is located in the bottom-left corner of the window. It will open a Finder window.
Choose your MP4 file. Select the MP4 file that you wish to burn onto your DVD.
Click Open. Located in the bottom-right corner of the Finder window, this action will cause the MP4 file to appear in the Burn window.
Click on the drop-down menu for file type. You'll find this option on the upper-right side of the Burn window.
Select DVD-Video. It's located in the drop-down menu.
Click Convert if needed. If a Convert option appears after selecting the file type, click on it and then follow any on-screen instructions. This ensures compatibility with your DVD.
Click Burn. Located in the bottom-right corner of the window, clicking this will initiate the burning process of your MP4 onto the DVD.
Follow any on-screen instructions. You may receive a notification when the burn is finished. Otherwise, wait for the progress bar to disappear. Once completed, eject your DVD and play it on any standard DVD player.
Burning a Data DVD on Windows
Insert a blank DVD into your computer's CD tray. Ensure the DVD is empty before proceeding.
- Your CD tray should be capable of burning DVDs. Look for the 'DVD' logo near the tray to confirm.
Choose a file location. Navigate to the folder containing your MP4 file.
Select your movie. Pick the movie file you wish to burn onto the DVD.
Click Share. Located on the upper-left side, this action triggers a toolbar to appear at the top.
Click Burn to disc. Found in the 'Send' section of the toolbar, clicking this initiates a window to open.
Click Burn. Located at the top of the window, this initiates the burning process for your movie onto the DVD.
- This may take from several minutes to over an hour, depending on the movie size and your computer's burn speed.
Click Finish as prompted. Found at the bottom of the window, clicking Finish allows you to eject your DVD. Now, your DVD should be ready to open and view the MP4 file on any computer with a DVD drive.
Burning a Data DVD on Mac
Purchase and connect a USB DVD drive. As most modern Macs lack built-in DVD drives, an external one is necessary to burn your data DVD.
- If your Mac utilizes USB-C (oval) ports instead of USB 3.0 (rectangular) ports, ensure your DVD drive supports USB-C or obtain a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter.
Insert a blank DVD into your Mac's CD tray. Confirm the DVD is empty before proceeding.
Launch Finder. Click the blue, smiling face icon on your Mac's Dock.
Navigate to the MP4 file's directory. On the left side of the Finder window, select the folder where your MP4 file is located.
Choose the MP4 file. Click on the MP4 file to select it. The file will be highlighted.
Access the File menu. Located at the top of the screen, click on it to reveal a drop-down menu.
Opt for Burn [movie] to Disc…. Found in the drop-down menu, this action will launch the Burn window.
Click Burn when asked. It's located near the bottom of the pop-up window.
Press OK when prompted. It's situated in the bottom-right corner of the window. After doing this, eject your DVD from your computer. Now you should be able to use your DVD to open and view the MP4 file on any computer with a DVD drive.
Pointers
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When using DVD Flick, you can opt to convert your MP4 file into an ISO file instead of a DVD file by selecting the 'Create ISO image' option instead of the 'Burn project to disc' option. ISO images can be burned to DVDs using your computer's built-in burning feature, after which they should function in most DVD players.
Cautionary Notes
- Some DVD players, like older models or those limited to Blu-Ray, may not support user-created DVDs.
