How to Play an MP4 on a DVD

Although some DVD players can read digital video files in formats other than the ones included on regular DVDs, simply burning MPEG-4 content to a DVD-R disc doesn't produce entertainment you can watch in your living room. To produce a disc you can watch with your family and friends, you need an application that can convert your video content and burn it in the right format so your set-top box can read your files.

Instructions

1

Understand the basic difference between MP4 and DVD formats. A DVD contains a specialized form of MPEG-2 data, along with files that include menus and extra features. Many camcorders, especially HD-capable equipment, save video data in MP4 format. To put this information on a DVD you can play in your set-top player, you must convert your video information to a DVD-compatible format.

2

Download and install a program such as DVDSoft's DVD Creator, Daniusoft's DVD Creator or the open source DVDStyler. These applications can convert your MP4 files to playable DVDs by transforming them into VOB files.

3

Load your MP4 data into the software. Along with necessary data-format conversions, these applications also enable you to edit your footage, add subtitles, process scenes with video effects and create DVD menus. Use a style template to speed up the process of creating menus. If your conversion package includes it, you can use scripting functionality to add chapter jumps so you can start playback at specific points within your video footage.

4

Set your video format to NTSC for use in North America. Insert a blank DVD-R disc into your PC's optical drive. Convert your footage and burn it to the disc.

5

Insert the DVD into your set-top player. Preview your menus to verify that you've set them up the way you want. Screen your footage to check the video quality of the conversion. Create a new conversion of your project if you're dissatisfied with your menu system, video quality or any other aspect of the conversion.