How to Use Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter — A Beginner’s GuideIf you have videos scattered across your hard drive and want to make playable DVDs for a TV or to share with friends and family, Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter is a straightforward tool that helps convert and burn common video formats to standard DVD discs. This guide walks you through everything a beginner needs: installation, preparing source files, editing and customizing menus, burning settings, and troubleshooting common issues.
What Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter does (brief)
Xilisoft Video to DVD Converter converts video files (MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MPEG, etc.) into DVD-compliant formats and burns them to DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW media. It also provides basic editing tools, chapter creation, and customizable DVD menus.
System requirements (check before installing)
- Windows OS (check the version supported by your installer)
- At least 1–2 GB free disk space (more if working with many/high-resolution videos)
- Compatible DVD burner and blank DVD discs
- Sufficient RAM (2 GB+ recommended)
Step 1 — Install the software
- Download the installer from a trusted source or the official Xilisoft site.
- Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. Accept the license agreement and choose installation folder.
- Launch the program after installation completes. If a trial popup appears, choose to enter a license or continue in trial mode.
Step 2 — Create a new project and add videos
- Click “Create DVD” or “Add Files” (label may vary by version).
- Browse and select the video files you want to include. Common formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, MKV are usually supported.
- The program will list added files in the main workspace; you can reorder them — the sequence defines DVD playback order.
Step 3 — Edit videos and set chapters (optional but useful)
- Trim: Remove unwanted sections from the beginning or end of a clip.
- Crop: Adjust the visible frame if the aspect ratio needs correction.
- Effects: Apply brightness, contrast, or simple filters.
- Add watermark or subtitles if needed.
- Chapters: Use automatic chapter creation (e.g., every 5 minutes) or add chapters manually at chosen timestamps — chapters make navigation easier on DVD players.
Step 4 — Choose DVD settings
- Target Format: Choose NTSC (used in North America, parts of Asia) or PAL (Europe, other regions) depending on your TV region.
- Aspect Ratio: Select 4:3 or 16:9 to match your video and TV.
- Output Size / Disc Type: Choose DVD-5 (single-layer, ~4.7 GB) or DVD-9 (dual-layer, ~8.5 GB). The software typically shows a capacity gauge; adjust video quality or remove items if over capacity.
Step 5 — Create or customize a DVD menu
- Open the Menu tab or template library.
- Choose a template — themes often grouped by occasion (travel, family, holidays).
- Edit text fields (title, chapter names), background image/video, and music.
- Preview the menu to ensure navigation buttons and titles look correct.
Step 6 — Preview project
Use the built-in preview to check:
- Video playback order and transitions
- Chapter points and menu navigation
- Subtitles and audio tracks
Fix any issues before burning to avoid wasting discs.
Step 7 — Burn settings and start burning
- Insert a blank DVD into your DVD burner.
- Select the burning speed — slower speeds (e.g., 4x–8x) are safer for older burners and lower chance of write errors.
- Choose whether to create an ISO image or burn directly to disc. Creating an ISO first can be helpful to test in a media player or burn multiple copies later.
- Click “Burn” or “Start” to begin. Burning time depends on video length, encoding time, and burn speed.
Common issues and troubleshooting
- Disc won’t play in TV: Verify region format (NTSC vs PAL) and ensure the TV supports the disc type (DVD-R vs DVD+R).
- Burn fails or disc unreadable: Try lower burn speed, different brand of disc, or clean the DVD drive lens.
- Video quality low after burning: Increase output quality setting or use a larger disc type (DVD-9) to reduce compression.
- Audio sync problems: Re-encode the source to a common frame rate (e.g., 29.97 fps for NTSC) before adding to the project.
Tips for best results
- Use original, highest-quality source files available.
- Keep a backup ISO of the finished disc for easy re-burning.
- Label discs immediately using a soft-tip marker (avoid adhesive labels).
- Test the final disc in the target DVD player before distributing.
Alternatives and compatibility notes
If Xilisoft doesn’t meet your needs, other DVD-authoring tools include DVDStyler, Nero Burning ROM, and ImgBurn (for ISO creation and burning). Each tool has different menu templates, editing tools, and platform support.
If you want, I can:
- Create step-by-step screenshots or a checklist for your specific video files and target player.
- Draft menu text and chapter names if you tell me the video types (e.g., vacation, wedding, tutorial).
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