Supports over 180 file formats
Top 7 Free Video to DVD Converters [2023 Guide]
To convert video to DVD, follow these simple steps:
Download and install the converter.
Open videos and select a DVD preset.
Convert your videos.
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If you want to convert video files to DVD to watch home movies more conveniently, here’s a list of some great video-to-DVD converters. You can use these video-to-DVD converters for free, along with a reliable paid alternative that offers additional features if you're looking for more powerful software.
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When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
All the products covered in this article have been tested by our team.
When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.
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List of the best free video to DVD converters for Windows & Mac
Many video-to-DVD-format converters are out there for you to use, but some are better than others and include features that make them stand out. If you're looking for the best video-to-DVD converter to change digital videos to DVD format, consider one of the following options.
OS: Windows, Mac
Best for: fast and high-quality conversion
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 on G2
Movavi Video Converter is an all-in-one media conversion software. It can convert a video of any format to DVD and back, with access to over 180 file formats. With essential video editing features, you’ll be able to remove unwanted parts of the video, change the video with filters and titles. You can also reduce the size of your media files without any loss of quality.
Here’s how to use Movavi Video Converter:
- Download and install the program
To start, simply download and install the program on your computer. - Add your files
Next, either upload the files you want to convert from your computer or drag and drop them into the application. - Choose the output format
To prepare your files for conversion, select the output format, including DVD formats. - Convert the file and enjoy your completed videos
To begin converting, click Convert and wait until the conversion completes. Once the process is finished, you can view your converted files on a DVD player.
Pros:
Can convert video, audio, and image files
Includes built-in editing options
Cons:
Can’t convert videos by URL
OS: Windows
Best for: making 4K DVD videos
Rating: 3.1 out of 5 on TopTenReviews
AVS Video Converter is not only an encoding program. It can also burn videos to DVD or Blu-Ray. Using it, you can split your recording into parts, create a disk menu, and make a DVD that will be readable from any device.
Here’s how to use AVS Video Converter:
- Download and install the software
Go to the official website, download and launch the installation file, and follow the on-screen instructions. - Add the files you want to convert
Click Menu and choose Add files. Locate and select the videos you want to convert to DVD, then click Open. - Choose converting to DVD
In the Formats tab, click To DVD. Select the appropriate preset in the Profile drop-down list, or go to the Advanced settings to make corrections to the videos. - Create a DVD menu (optional)
If you’d like to have a menu on your disk, click Menu on the top panel. In the window that opens, select a suitable preset, add videos to animate your menu, and enter the lines you want to be displayed. The free version has few menu profiles, but with the paid premium you get a great variety of them. When you’re satisfied with the menu, click OK. - Select the disk direction
Click Browse next to Output direction and locate the file you want to save the videos to. Confirm your choice by clicking OK. - Start the burning
Click Convert Now! and follow the on-screen instruction to set the parameters for the future disk. When the conversion process is complete, click Burn to Disk in the window that opens and follow instructions in the program.
Pros:
Plenty of output programs, including M2TS and Blu-Ray video
NVIDIA GeForce acceleration for fast conversion
Converting batches of files
Built-in video splitter and DVD burner
Cons:
The free version has a watermark
OS: Windows
Best for: converting straight to DVD for free
Rating: 2.3/5, 16 reviews, on Trustpilot
For a simple and easy-to-use software to convert to DVD, consider using Free Video to DVD Converter. This software is safe and easy to download and install on Windows systems. Use it for converting virtually any video format to DVD and burn them to a DVD, which you can then play on your DVD player.
To use Free Video to DVD Converter, take the following steps:
- Download the software
The software is free to download and install without any risk of adware or spyware. - Open the program
You can open the software by following Start > All Programs > DVDVideoSoft > Programs > Free Video to DVD Converter. You can also click the DVDVideoSoft Free Studio icon on your computer's desktop. - Choose your input file
Next, click on the Browse... button and choose a file to upload to the converter. You can also select multiple files to convert. The size bar below will show you how much space the files will take up on the DVD. - Select the output location and presets
To choose the output location for your files, click the Browse... button at the bottom of the window and select the save destination for the completed video. Click Ok, then choose the preset you would like to use for the video in the list that appears. - Complete the conversion and burn your DVD
Begin conversion by clicking Create DVD. A window will appear that allows you to choose specific actions for the burner to complete following the conversion. After the conversion finishes, you can burn the file to a DVD by selecting the saved VIDEO_TS folder as the video input.
Pros:
Safe to use without any malicious software
Converts multiple file formats
Burns multiple files on a single DVD
Detects the size of your DVD folder and videos
Cons:
Basic design may not appeal to some users
Doesn't include many advanced features beyond simple video to DVD conversion
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Best for: those experienced in video conversion and formats
Rating: 4.6/5, 37 reviews, on Download.cnet.com
VLC, or VideoLAN Client, is another convenient convert-to-DVD software that also functions as a universal media player for Windows, Mac, and Linux users. The VLC Media Player plays many codecs that aren't included on many systems, and it's also completely free and safe to use as a reliable program to convert movies to DVD.
To install and use this application, take these steps:
- Download the VLC media player for your device
Download and install VLC on your Mac, Windows, Linux, or mobile device. - Add the files you want to convert
Open the program and choose the files you would like to convert from the Convert / Save (Windows) or Convert / Stream (Mac). Then, drag and drop or upload your files in the next window. - Select the output format
The next step is to select the output format for files. For DVD, you would use H.264 + MP3 (TS). - Choose a save location
The final step is to save your file by clicking Save as File in the Choose Destination window.
You can also use this software to burn DVDs if you have a writable DVD in your disk drive, with a guided process to help you burn media files.
Pros:
Free and safe to use as an established, reputable conversion service
VLC functions as both a converter and media player for nearly any device
Supports many file formats and makes it easy to burn DVDs
Cons:
Some users have reported issues when trying to use VLC to play DVDs and other file types
5. Freemake
OS: Windows
Best for: converting videos on Windows
Rating: 4/5, 864 reviews, on Download.cnet.com
Freemake is another reliable tool for turning videos into DVDs, but this software is somewhat different because it also works as a DVD ripper. So, in addition to converting video to DVD, you can use Freemake to rip DVDs and save them to your computer or modify them.
To install and use Freemake as a video converter to DVD, follow this brief guide to get started:
- Install Freemake on your PC
To start, download and install Freemake on your computer. Unfortunately, Freemake is currently only compatible with Windows. - Upload your files
Choose the files you would like to convert to DVD or rip a DVD to use as a digital file using a disk in your disk drive. - Select a format or device
Next, choose the output format and device for your converted DVD file. - Begin the conversion
Simply click Convert to start the conversion process and wait for it to complete.
Pros:
Very easy to use with the ability to convert and rip DVDs
Supports many file formats
Allows for conversion of 4K and HD videos
Rip and burn DVDs and even Blu-rays
Cons:
Freemake is only available to Windows users
OS: Windows
Best for: quick conversions on Windows
Rating: 3.5/5, on TechRadar
WinX DVD Author is a free DVD burner and creator for Windows systems. It has an intuitive interface for easy video-to-DVD conversion, and users can rip or create DVDs without watermarks or ads. However, some users have reported that it stops working for no reason and that there’s little or no support available when this happens. When it works, however, users are generally happy with the simplicity of the interface and the speed of conversions.
How to convert video to DVD with WinX DVD Author:
- Install the program
Install and launch WinX DVD Author on your computer. - Insert a DVD
Insert a blank writable DVD in your computer’s DVD drive. Click + to import your video file(s) into WinX DVD Author. Tap >> to continue. - Change videos to a DVD-compatible video format
Choose your preferred output format for your DVD (PAL or NTSC). Then, click Start, and your video files will be converted to your blank DVD.
Pros:
Free with no watermark
Easy to use
Quick conversions
Cons:
Only compatible with Windows
Users report software stops working for no reason
7. HandBrake
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
Best for: converting to MKV and MP4
Rating: 3.5/5, 155 reviews, on Download.cnet.com
For another reliable way to convert video to DVD for free, give HandBrake a try. Like VLC, HandBrake has been around for a long time and is one of the more well-known applications available. It's free and open-source, works on multiple operating systems, and enables you to convert video from and into many different formats.
To get started with this software, take the following steps:
- Download and install HandBrake
Download the program from the HandBrake website and install it on your Mac, Windows, or Linux computer. - Select the files you want to convert
In the HandBrake Source window, choose the files you want to convert to DVD and click Open. - Choose the save destination for your files
Choose a save location for your completed conversions. - Determine which output format to use
To convert video to DVD, click Output Setting or Format to select a DVD file format for converting your files. - Start converting
Start the conversion process by clicking Start or Start encode and wait for it to finish.
Pros:
Very easy to use to convert videos to DVD and other formats
Compatible with multiple systems including Mac, Windows, and Linux
Includes many editing features for videos beyond simple conversion
Cons:
Only MKV and MP4 file containers are available for the output
How to convert a video to DVD with Movavi Video Converter
Although all the free video to DVD converter and burner software listed above can help you watch your favorite media on a DVD player, we recommend Movavi Video Converter as a paid alternative if you want more from your converter. With additional features and reliability, Movavi Video Converter can be the all-in-one solution you're looking for in a media converter.
Some of the benefits you get with Movavi Video Converter include:
Faster conversion speeds to have you watching your DVDs in no time
Conversion of multiple files simultaneously through batch processing
Efficient conversions without any loss of quality, even when converting 4K videos
Added editing features and compression capabilities
If you want to know how to use Movavi Video Converter to convert video to DVD and complete other conversions for a wide range of formats, follow these basic steps.
Step 1. Download and install the video-to-DVD converter
The first step to take is to download the converter and install it on your device. This software is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers. You can also use it to convert over 180 different file formats, including MP4, AVI, WMV, and DVD, along with many other less popular formats. In addition to converting, you can also use the software to resize and edit your videos. Editing functions include the ability to adjust video quality and audio volume, or you can join or trim video clips before converting.
Step 2. Select the file you want to convert
After installing the converter, open the program and click Add Media, which you'll find in the top left corner of the window. Then click Add Video to select the files you want to convert from your computer. You can choose one or several files to convert to DVD format.
Step 3. Choose a DVD file format
To select an output file format, select the Video tab. From there, you can choose the DVD-Compatible Video category and select the appropriate preset. With this converter, video to DVD conversion can be accomplished using NTSC or PAL standards, which use different resolutions, but both are supported by most DVD players today. You also have the option to select low, medium, or high-quality options for your conversions, each of which will affect the total file size by a wide margin.
Step 4. Convert video to DVD format
The actual conversion process is also simple when turning video to DVD. Click the Save to button and select the save destination for the converted file or batch of files. Remember that the converted files may be larger than the original file, so ensure you have sufficient space on your hard drive to save the file.
To begin the conversion, click on Convert and wait for the conversion to finish before accessing the completed file. The larger the file, the longer it will take to convert. For large files, conversion can take up to several minutes.
Movavi Video Converter
The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!
Frequently asked questions
▶️ What is the DVD video format?
DVDs store video, audio, subtitles, and navigation menus in the VOB format. VOB is a multimedia container that was designed specifically for DVDs. VOB files can also be encrypted to ensure copyright protection.
▶️ How to convert a video to a DVD-compatible format on Mac?
You can use any program for video conversion to transfer video to the DVD format on Mac. However, we recommend Movavi Video Converter for Mac. Download this simple yet powerful software and follow the instructions below.
Download and install the program, then launch it.
Drag and drop the video file into the program window.
Open the Video tab and click DVD-Compatible Video. Choose the desired preset for conversion.
Click Convert to start the conversion process.
▶️ What is the best resolution for DVD videos?
The highest possible resolution for DVD video is 720 × 480 pixels for NTSC and 720 × 576 pixels for PAL. Unfortunately, that is far from HD quality, so if you want to burn an HD video to a disc, you need to use Blu-ray.
▶️ What is the standard format for a DVD?
DVD video can be encoded in the MPEG-2 Part 2 / H.262 or MPEG-1 Part 2 format. However, MPEG-2 is more common.
▶️ What is the difference between a CD and a DVD?
CD stands for Compact Disc. It’s an optical medium that replaced cassette tapes. CDs can store up to 700 MB of audio or video data. DVD means Digital Versatile Disc, and it’s a type of optical disc that can contain up to 4.7 GB of data. The main difference between them is their storage capacity. Also, CDs are primarily used for storing music albums and audio data in general, while DVDs contain films and videos.
▶️ Can you put videos from your phone onto a DVD?
Yes, you can. Generally, you need to transfer videos from your iPhone or Android smartphone to a computer and then use a video converter and burner to make a DVD.
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