Burn MP4 to DVD: What You Need and 2 No Hassle Ways

Have some MP4 videos you'd like to save or play on a DVD? If so, before you start burning, there's an important thing you need to know. Burning MP4 to DVD takes a little more than copying your file to a blank disc. Thankfully, the steps are easier than they sound. Below, the following parts show you two ways to burn MP4 to DVD, from a simple software method to a more hands-on approach, plus what you'll need and more.

What You Need Before Burning MP4 to DVD

Before you can even start create a DVD from an MP4 file, prepare a few essentials to avoid interruptions during the process. Having everything ready will make things much easier for you.

• DVD Drive. Make sure your computer has a DVD drive that reads and writes discs. You might need an external USB DVD drive if your computer does not have one.
• Blank DVD Disc. Use a blank disc with enough storage space for your video.
• DVD Burner. A writable DVD drive is a must to transfer your video onto your disc.
• DVD Authoring Software. This software converts and organizes your video into a DVD-compatible format and creates the needed structure.

Why MP4 Can't Just Be Burned Directly

While, as you know, MP4 is one of the most common formats, you cannot simply put it onto a DVD and expect it to play in your DVD player. A standard video DVD has a specific format and structure that's different from the MP4 container.

• Video codec: MPEG-2, and not H.264, HEVC, or H.265, which are commonly used for MP4 videos.
• Audio codec: AC3 (Dolby Digital) or PCM for DVD-compatible audio.
• Container: VIDEO_TS folder containing .VOB, .IFO, and .BUP files
• Resolution: 720 × 480 (NTSC) or 720 × 576 (PAL), depending on the standard used in your region.

How to Burn MP4 to DVD with AnyRec DVD Creator

Best for: Beginners and anyone who wants a quick, convenient way to convert MP4 files to playable DVDs without manually dealing with file structures.

To make burning MP4 videos to DVD very simple, handle the conversion, authoring, and burning process with AnyRec DVD Creator. Instead of manually converting your MP4 video and creating DVD folders, the software takes care of the needed DVD format for you. Plus, it lets you customize menus, subtitles, chapters, audio tracks, and other settings before burning. With everything handled in one place, you can burn MP4 to DVD with fewer steps.

Step 1.Launch AnyRec DVD Creator on your computer and choose "DVD Disc". Insert your blank DVD into the computer's DVD drive to begin, then add the MP4 video you want to burn onto it.

Step 2.Click "Destination" to choose your DVD drive or location. Before burning, you can select "Edit" to trim or adjust the video if needed, and you can also customize options such as volume label, writing speed, and number of copies.

Step 3.If you want additional audio, click "Audio Track" to add it to your project. Check the DVD preview to ensure everything looks right, adjust other burning settings, then click the "Burn" button to create an MP4-to-DVD.

Complicated Way to Convert MP4 to DVD

Best for: Advanced users who are at ease working with various video formats, DVD structures, and burning settings.

Do you prefer more control over the conversion and your DVD structure? You can also complete the MP4-to-DVD burning process manually. Although it takes more time and involves separate steps, it is useful when you want more freedom over your menus, chapters, and output settings.

Step 1.Convert MP4 to DVD-compatible video

First, convert your MP4 file from codecs such as H.264 or H.265 to MPEG-2 video with AC-3 or PCM audio. The resulting files need to have the same resolution, aspect ratio, bitrate, and other requirements of the DVD standard.

Step 2.Author the DVD

After that, use a DVD authoring program to prepare the VIDEO_TS folder. This creates the IFO, VOB, and BUP files that are needed for a DVD. Moreover, you can also add menus, subtitles, chapters, and navigation controls.

Step 3.Burn the DVD

Finally, burn the completed VIDEO_TS folder to a blank DVD using a DVD-burning program such as DVDStyler. This handles the authoring and burning process, especially great if you want to create custom menus and chapters rather than simply putting files onto your disc. Ensure your disc is written using a UDF/ISO 9660 filesystem.

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