What Is DVD Authoring?
DVD authoring is the process of converting source video files like MP4 and MKV into a playable DVD-Video format. It involves encoding videos into DVD MPEG-2 formats, adding chapters, creating DVD navigation, and generating DVD VIDEO_TS structure for playback on standard DVD players.
Cisdem DVD Burner makes DVD authoring easy on Mac and Windows for beginners. It creates DVDs from digital files with interactive menus and chapters. No separate tools for conversion, menu design, or burning. Author a DVD in one app.
DVD Burning Software vs. DVD Authoring Software
DVD authoring software and DVD burning software both let you put videos on a disc, but they serve different purposes. If you just want to back up files to a disc, a traditional burning program is enough. But if you want your DVD to have a menu and chapters that work like a commercial movie DVD, you need DVD authoring software. Here's how they compare.
| Feature | Traditional DVD Burning Software | Basic DVD Authoring Software | Cisdem DVD Burner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input | Data files, DVD folder, ISO | Video files or DVD folder/ISO | Video files, DVD folder, ISO |
| DVD Menu | Not available | Limited menu options or auto-generated menus | Fully customizable menus with templates, backgrounds, elements, and music |
| Chapter | Not available | Preset or fixed-interval chapters only | Keep existing chapters or manually insert chapters by timestamps |
| Navigation Control | No DVD playback navigation | Limited control | Interactive DVD navigation |
| Output | Depends on input (data discs or playable Video DVDs) | Basic Video DVDs or DVD folder/ISO | Video DVD discs, DVD folders, ISO files |
| Best For | Data backup, file storage, or burning pre-made ISO/DVD folders | Quick home DVD creation | Create customized and professional DVD-Video projects |
Note: Technically, "burning" refers to writing data onto a disc. However, in the consumer software market, DVD burning software has evolved into a broader category. Many apps labeled as DVD burners (like Cisdem DVD Burner) now include DVD authoring features, driven by developers matching user searches for "burning" instead of "authoring". For a deeper comparison of dedicated authoring tools, see our best DVD authoring software review.
Professional DVD Authoring Made Simple
Unlike basic tools with limited features, Cisdem DVD Burner provides complete DVD authoring capabilities to turn your videos into customized and playable DVDs.
Author Standard DVD-Video from 300+ Formats
Record videos with GoPro, iPhone, cameras, older camcorder in various formats? Add them directly to Cisdem DVD Burner without manual conversion. The software converts videos into DVD-compatible MPEG-2 format during the authoring process.
- Support MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MTS, MPEG, and any format.
- Handle NTSC/PAL standards and 16:9/4:3 aspect ratios.
- Include 6 quality levels. The "Fit to disc" option auto-adjusts quality to fit your disc capacity.
Create Interactive DVD Menus
Create movie-style DVD menus with templates, background, element, layout, and music. Support both main menus and chapter menus to organize videos with an intuitive navigation structure.
- Support up to 99 titles in one DVD project.
- 50+ menu templates with pre-designed themes for different types of videos.
- Custom background images. Choose from built-in images, solid colors, or upload your local image.
- Custom elements. Choose any video frame as the thumbnail and specify its aspect; customize frame styles and transparency; edit text with different fonts, sizes, and styles.
- Custom background music. Add your own audio track to DVD menus.
- View and organize menu structure. The menu tree provides a complete overview of your DVD navigation. Move selected items to previous or next menu pages, create new pages, and enable chapter menus when needed.
Add Chapters for Easy Navigation
Have trouble finding specific scenes in long videos? Add chapters to 2-hour videos (such as long wedding ceremony or full concert recording) so you can quickly find specific scenes with your DVD remote, without manually fast-forwarding through the video.
- Preserve existing chapters. Automatically keep chapter information from imported videos.
- Add precise manual markers. Preview your video and place chapter points at exact timestamps to highlight important scenes, rather than relying only on preset intervals.
- Support unlimited chapters. Create as many chapters as needed for videos of any length.
Preview & Export Your DVD Projects
Preview your DVD project to test menu navigation, then export it in multiple formats for burning, archiving, or future use:
- DVD 5, DVD 9, and DVD 10
- DVD VIDEO_TS folder
- ISO image
- Project file (for future editing)
Why Choose Cisdem DVD Authoring Program?
All-in-one Solution
Want to edit your videos, customize your project, and adjust settings in one place? Cisdem DVD Burner lets you complete the DVD authoring process without using multiple apps.
Easy & Fast DVD Mastering
The intuitive interface lets you create DVDs without complicated settings. Also, it simplifies the process, helping you complete projects faster and burn multiple DVDs at once.
Author DVDs for Any Occasion
Burn wedding videos, event footage, demo reels, or family memories to DVD. Save your favorite videos and share your custom DVDs with anyone.
How to Author a DVD on Mac or Windows
Step 1: Import Your Videos
Drag-n-drop any video into the software. Choose your preferred TV standard and video quality settings.
Step 2: Author Your DVD Project
Edit your videos and add chapters or subtitles. Then go to personalize the DVD menu.
Step 3: Preview and Burn
Preview your DVD project to check navigation, then burn it to a disc.
