How to Make a DVD from Windows Movie Maker (and Its Alternatives)

Creating a DVD from your home movies edited in Windows Movie Maker is, unfortunately, no longer a directly supported feature. Windows Movie Maker, while once a staple for simple video editing, has been discontinued by Microsoft. Therefore, to achieve your goal, you’ll need to use a combination of Windows Movie Maker (or a modern alternative) for editing, and a separate DVD burning software for the final disc creation process. This article will guide you through the optimal workflow, covering everything from exporting your video to selecting the right burning tools.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Workflow: Edit, Export, Burn

The process of creating a DVD from what would typically be a Windows Movie Maker project breaks down into three key stages: editing your video, exporting the finished project in a DVD-compatible format, and then burning the exported file onto a DVD using dedicated software. Since Windows Movie Maker is no longer actively supported or installed by default on modern Windows versions, we’ll also explore suitable alternatives for the editing stage.

Choosing Your Editing Software

While some may still have Windows Movie Maker installed, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s outdated and may not be compatible with modern video formats. Here are a few viable alternatives:

Windows Video Editor (Photos App): This is Microsoft’s built-in replacement for Windows Movie Maker. It’s free, basic, and usually pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11. It allows for simple edits, adding music, and basic transitions.
iMovie (for Mac users): Although not a Windows program, iMovie is a powerful and user-friendly option if you’re working on a Mac.
DaVinci Resolve (Free and Paid Versions): A professional-grade video editor that offers a free version suitable for most home users. It boasts advanced features like color correction and audio editing.
HitFilm Express (Free and Paid Versions): Another free video editor that rivals paid software. It includes a range of visual effects and editing tools.
Lightworks (Free and Paid Versions): A professional-level video editor that has been used on films like “Pulp Fiction.” It also has a free version available.

Choose the software that best suits your editing needs and skill level. For simplicity, we’ll assume you are using the Windows Video Editor (Photos App) or a similar editor for the editing process.

Exporting Your Video in a DVD-Compatible Format

Once you’ve finished editing your video, you need to export it in a format that can be easily burned onto a DVD. The most common and compatible formats are:

MPEG-2: This is the standard format for DVDs. It offers a good balance between video quality and file size.
AVI: While AVI files can be larger than MPEG-2, they are widely compatible and can be easily converted for DVD burning.

When exporting, pay attention to the following settings:

Resolution: For standard DVDs, use a resolution of 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576 (PAL). These resolutions match the standard DVD video format.
Frame Rate: Use 29.97 frames per second (fps) for NTSC and 25 fps for PAL. These are the standard frame rates for the respective television systems.
Aspect Ratio: Choose either 4:3 (standard definition television) or 16:9 (widescreen).
Bitrate: A higher bitrate results in better video quality but also a larger file size. A bitrate of 6-8 Mbps is generally sufficient for DVDs.

In your chosen editor, look for export settings that allow you to customize these parameters. Select a preset labeled “DVD” if available. If not, manually configure the settings as described above. Export your video as a single, complete file.

Burning Your Video to DVD

Now that you have your exported video file, you’ll need a dedicated DVD burning software. Many options are available, both free and paid. Here are some popular choices:

DVD Flick (Free): A simple and effective open-source DVD authoring tool.
ImgBurn (Free): Another free and powerful burning application, known for its versatility.
BurnAware Free (Free): Offers a user-friendly interface and supports various disc formats.
CDBurnerXP (Free): Despite its name, it works perfectly on modern Windows versions and offers a range of burning options.
Nero Burning ROM (Paid): A comprehensive suite with advanced features, but it requires a purchase.

Using DVD Flick:

Download and install DVD Flick.
Open DVD Flick and click “Add title.”
Browse to your exported video file and select it.
Click “Edit title” to customize the title menu (optional).
Go to “Project settings” and choose “Video” to set the target aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9) and the target TV system (NTSC or PAL).
In “Project settings,” choose “Burning” and select “Create ISO image” or “Burn directly to disc.” Selecting “Create ISO image” lets you create a disc image (.iso) that you can burn later using other software.
Click “Create DVD” to start the burning process.

Using Other Burning Software:

The process will be similar for other burning software. Typically, you’ll need to:

Open the software and select “Create a Video DVD” or a similar option.
Add your exported video file to the project.
Configure settings like aspect ratio, video standard (NTSC or PAL), and DVD menu options (if available).
Insert a blank DVD-R or DVD+R disc into your DVD burner.
Start the burning process.

Important Considerations:

Use DVD-R discs for better compatibility with older DVD players.
Avoid using rewritable DVDs (DVD-RW or DVD+RW) for important projects, as they can be less reliable.
Burn at a slower speed (e.g., 4x or 8x) for greater burning accuracy and improved compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I still download Windows Movie Maker?

While you can find Windows Movie Maker available for download on various websites, Microsoft no longer officially supports or recommends its use. Downloading from unofficial sources carries the risk of installing malware or viruses. It’s safer to use a modern alternative like Windows Video Editor (Photos App), DaVinci Resolve, or HitFilm Express.

2. What’s the difference between NTSC and PAL? Which one should I use?

NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Alternating Line) are different television systems used in different regions of the world. NTSC is primarily used in North America, Japan, and parts of South America. PAL is used in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia and Africa. Use NTSC if you live in an NTSC region and PAL if you live in a PAL region. If you are unsure, check the specifications of your DVD player and television.

3. What is an ISO image, and why would I want to create one?

An ISO image is a complete archive file that represents the entire contents of a disc (like a DVD or CD). Creating an ISO image allows you to store a digital copy of your DVD on your computer or an external drive. You can then burn the ISO image to a physical DVD at any time using burning software. This is useful for creating backups or burning multiple copies of the same DVD.

4. My DVD player can’t play the DVD I burned. What could be the problem?

Several factors can cause DVD playback issues:

Incompatible DVD format: Make sure you used DVD-R or DVD+R discs.
Incorrect region code: DVDs can be region-locked. Ensure the DVD’s region code matches your DVD player’s region code.
Burning errors: Burning at a high speed or using a faulty disc can result in errors. Try burning at a slower speed with a new disc.
Dirty or damaged disc: Clean the DVD with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the disc is scratched or damaged, it may not play correctly.
Outdated DVD player firmware: Check for firmware updates for your DVD player.

5. Can I add a custom DVD menu to my disc?

Yes, some DVD burning software allows you to create custom DVD menus with chapter selection and other features. DVD Flick, for example, offers basic menu customization options. More advanced software, like Nero Burning ROM, provides more extensive menu design capabilities.

6. What bitrate should I use when exporting my video for DVD?

A bitrate of 6-8 Mbps (megabits per second) is generally sufficient for DVDs. A higher bitrate will result in better video quality but also a larger file size. Lower bitrates can be used to fit more video onto a single DVD, but the video quality will be reduced.

7. How much video can I fit on a standard DVD?

A standard single-layer DVD can hold approximately 4.7 GB of data. The amount of video you can fit on a DVD depends on the video’s resolution, bitrate, and audio settings. Using the recommended settings (720×480 or 720×576 resolution, 6-8 Mbps bitrate), you can typically fit around 1-2 hours of video on a single-layer DVD.

8. What is the best video format to use for DVDs?

MPEG-2 is the standard and most compatible video format for DVDs. It offers a good balance between video quality and file size.

9. Can I burn a Blu-ray disc using this method?

This guide primarily focuses on creating standard DVDs. To burn Blu-ray discs, you’ll need Blu-ray burning software and a Blu-ray burner drive. The process is similar, but you’ll need to export your video in a Blu-ray-compatible format (e.g., H.264 or MPEG-4) and use a higher resolution (e.g., 1920×1080).

10. My exported video file is too large to fit on a DVD. What can I do?

You can try the following:

Reduce the video bitrate: Export your video with a lower bitrate to reduce the file size.
Trim unnecessary footage: Edit your video to remove any unnecessary scenes or sections.
Split the video into multiple DVDs: Divide your video into multiple parts and burn each part onto a separate DVD.

11. Is it legal to burn DVDs of copyrighted material?

Burning DVDs of copyrighted material without the copyright holder’s permission is generally illegal. Copyright laws protect the rights of authors and creators, and unauthorized copying and distribution of their works is a violation of those rights.

12. Why do some DVD burning programs require a codec pack?

Some older DVD burning programs may require specific codecs (coder-decoders) to be installed in order to decode and encode certain video and audio formats. Codecs are software components that enable your computer to play and process different types of multimedia files. However, most modern burning programs include the necessary codecs or can automatically download them if needed.