Creating DVDs with Movie Maker: A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can create DVDs using Movie Maker, but the method involves a crucial intermediate step: you must first export your movie as a video file and then use a separate DVD burning program to create the final DVD. Movie Maker itself lacks a direct “burn to DVD” function in more recent versions. This article guides you through the entire process, ensuring a successful creation from start to finish.

Understanding the Process: Movie Maker and DVD Burning

The key to understanding how to make a DVD with Movie Maker lies in recognizing its limitations. Movie Maker excels at editing and assembling video projects, but it doesn’t inherently support DVD authoring – the process of structuring the DVD with menus and burning the video data onto a physical disc. Therefore, we break the process into two distinct phases: editing in Movie Maker and burning with a dedicated program. Think of it as baking a cake (Movie Maker) and then applying the icing (DVD burner).

Exporting Your Movie from Movie Maker

The first, and arguably most critical, step is exporting your completed project from Movie Maker. This transforms your edited movie into a standalone video file that a DVD burning program can understand. Here’s how:

1. Final Review: Double-check your entire project within Movie Maker. Ensure all transitions, titles, audio, and video clips are exactly as you desire. This is your last chance to make alterations within the familiar Movie Maker environment.
2. Access the Export Options: Click on the “File” menu in Movie Maker, then select “Save Movie” or “Publish Movie.” You’ll likely see several preset options, each corresponding to a different video quality and file size.
3. Choosing the Right Export Settings: For DVD compatibility, selecting a preset that produces a standard definition (SD) video in .WMV format is often the best starting point. While .MP4 can work with some DVD burning software, .WMV typically offers better compatibility and smoother burning with older programs. If you have a newer version of Movie Maker and a more modern DVD burner, exporting as .MP4 (H.264 codec) at 720p resolution could also be a viable option for enhanced quality. However, always prioritize compatibility above resolution.
4. Customizing Export Settings (Advanced Users): For more control, you can click “Create Custom Setting.” This allows you to manually adjust parameters like frame rate (typically 25fps for PAL or 29.97fps for NTSC), bitrate (higher bitrate means higher quality but larger file size), and video dimensions (720×480 for NTSC standard DVD resolution). Use caution when altering these settings if you’re unfamiliar with video encoding principles. Incorrect settings can lead to playback issues.
5. Name and Save: Give your video file a descriptive name and choose a location on your computer to save it. Click “Save.” Movie Maker will now begin rendering your project into a video file. This process can take considerable time, depending on the length and complexity of your movie.

Burning Your Video to DVD with Dedicated Software

Once you have your exported video file, you need dedicated DVD burning software. Several excellent options exist, both free and paid.

1. Selecting DVD Burning Software: Some popular choices include:

   • Windows DVD Maker (Windows 7): If you’re using Windows 7, you likely have Windows DVD Maker pre-installed. This is a simple and effective option for creating basic DVDs.
   • BurnAware Free: A free and feature-rich DVD burning program.
   • DVD Flick: A free and open-source DVD authoring tool.
   • ImgBurn: A powerful and free tool for burning images, files, and DVDs. While it lacks menu creation features, it’s excellent for burning pre-authored DVD folders.
   • Nero Burning ROM (Paid): A comprehensive and feature-rich suite with advanced DVD authoring capabilities.
   • CyberLink Power2Go (Paid): Another powerful suite offering a range of burning and multimedia tools.

2. Importing Your Video File: Open your chosen DVD burning software and locate the option to create a new DVD video disc (or similar wording). Import the .WMV (or .MP4) video file you created in Movie Maker.

3. DVD Menu Creation (Optional): Most DVD burning programs offer tools to create DVD menus. These menus allow viewers to navigate between chapters or select different videos on the disc. Experiment with the available templates and customization options to design a menu that suits your needs. If using ImgBurn to burn a pre-authored DVD folder, you will not have menu creation capabilities within the program.

4. DVD Settings: Before burning, carefully review the DVD settings. Pay attention to the video standard (NTSC or PAL), ensuring it matches your region. You should also check the aspect ratio (4:3 for standard definition or 16:9 for widescreen) and the encoding settings. The software will typically select appropriate settings based on the imported video file, but it’s always wise to double-check.

5. Burning the DVD: Insert a blank DVD-R disc into your DVD burner drive. Click the “Burn” button in your DVD burning software. The program will now encode your video (if necessary), author the DVD, and burn the data onto the disc. This process can take a significant amount of time, depending on the size of your video and the speed of your DVD burner.

6. Verification: After burning is complete, most DVD burning programs offer an option to verify the disc. This ensures that the data was written correctly and that the DVD is playable. It’s highly recommended to perform this verification step.

7. Testing: Once the DVD is burned and verified, test it on a DVD player to ensure it plays correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions users have when creating DVDs with Movie Maker:

FAQ 1: Can I burn a DVD directly from Movie Maker without exporting first?

No, modern versions of Movie Maker typically don’t have a direct “burn to DVD” option. You must export your movie as a video file before using a separate DVD burning program. This intermediate step is essential.

FAQ 2: What video format should I use when exporting from Movie Maker for best DVD compatibility?

.WMV (Windows Media Video) is generally the most compatible format for DVD burning, especially with older software. However, .MP4 (H.264 codec) can also work well if your DVD burning software supports it and you are using a more modern DVD player.

FAQ 3: What is NTSC and PAL, and which one should I use?

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) is the video standard used in North America, Japan, and some other countries. PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is the standard used in Europe, Australia, and many other parts of the world. Select the standard that matches your region for optimal playback.

FAQ 4: What resolution should I choose when exporting from Movie Maker?

For standard DVDs, a resolution of 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576 (PAL) is appropriate. This matches the standard definition (SD) resolution of DVDs. Exporting at a higher resolution won’t improve the quality on a standard DVD.

FAQ 5: My DVD is skipping or freezing during playback. What could be the problem?

Several factors can cause playback issues. The most common include:

• Incorrect Video Settings: Ensure you’re using the correct video standard (NTSC or PAL) and resolution for your region.
• Low-Quality DVD Disc: Use reputable DVD-R discs from established brands.
• Burning Errors: Try burning the DVD at a slower speed to minimize errors.
• Dirty DVD Player: Clean your DVD player’s lens.
• Damaged DVD Disc: Inspect the DVD for scratches or damage.

FAQ 6: How can I create chapters in my DVD?

Some DVD burning programs allow you to define chapter markers during the DVD authoring process. Refer to the documentation of your chosen software for instructions on adding chapter markers. Often, this involves specifying the timecode where each chapter should begin.

FAQ 7: My video is widescreen (16:9). How do I make sure it displays correctly on my DVD?

When exporting from Movie Maker, make sure the aspect ratio is set to 16:9 (widescreen). During DVD authoring, ensure your DVD burning software is also configured to use a 16:9 aspect ratio.

FAQ 8: What is bitrate, and how does it affect video quality?

Bitrate refers to the amount of data used per second of video. A higher bitrate generally results in better video quality, but it also increases the file size. For DVDs, a bitrate of 4-8 Mbps is usually sufficient for good quality.

FAQ 9: Can I use a DVD-RW (rewritable) disc instead of a DVD-R disc?

Yes, you can use a DVD-RW disc, but be aware that some older DVD players might not be compatible with rewritable discs. DVD-R discs are generally more widely compatible.

FAQ 10: How do I create a DVD menu with custom images and text?

Most DVD burning programs offer tools for creating custom DVD menus. You can often import your own images for backgrounds and customize the text, fonts, and colors used in the menu.

FAQ 11: What if I don’t have a DVD burner on my computer?

You can purchase an external DVD burner that connects to your computer via USB. These are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

FAQ 12: Is there a completely free way to do this?

Yes. Using a combination of a free video editor (if you don’t already have Movie Maker or its alternative), a free exporting setting (.wmv for example), and free DVD burning software like BurnAware Free or DVD Flick will allow you to complete the task without any monetary expenditure. Just be mindful of any bundled software installations during the installation of these free programs.

By following these steps and addressing common questions, you can successfully create DVDs from your Movie Maker projects, allowing you to share your creations with friends and family in a physical format. Remember to prioritize compatibility, choose appropriate settings, and test your DVDs thoroughly to ensure a positive viewing experience.