How to Burn an AVI File to DVD

Level of difficulty: Easy

The AVI (Audio Video Interleave) format was introduced by Microsoft based on the existing RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format) as a de facto standard for audio and video data that can be played back on Personal Computer systems using multimedia player programs. Standalone DVD players generally make use of the MPEG2 video format including an associated header information file in order to properly play back DVD media. These requisites will not be met simply by transferring the AVI file onto a DVD disc; what is necessary is that the AVI file must be converted into the MPEG2 format with the conversion tool creating the needed header information to allow it to be played back in both a computer and a standalone DVD player. For the purpose of this guide, the VSO ConvertXtoDVD trial version and the freeware Avi2DVD conversion tools will be used in creating a DVD version of the AVI file with the header information being generated automatically by these utilities.

Materials Needed:
- Computer
- Web browser
- Internet connection
- DVD media
- DVD writer drive
- multimedia player
- media conversion tool
Step 1
To use VSO ConvertXtoDVD, open your Web browser, download its free version, install it into the system, and proceed to the next step. For users that prefer the Avi2DVD tool, download and install it and jump to Step 7.
Step 2
Launch ConvertXtoDVD and double click on the 'Try' button to load the main program interface.
Step 3
Add the AVI file to be converted by clicking on the 'Add' button (using the '+' symbol) or by clicking on the 'File' menu and selecting the 'Add Video File' option.
Step 4
Navigate to where the AVI file is stored and click on the 'Open' button. This should load the video file into the interface window. Take note of the Conversion Advisor located at the bottom left-hand side of the display window which shows the quality of the output file.
Step 5
Click on the 'Settings' menu and select the 'General' category. Define the working folder (where the converted file will be stored) including other available settings which should be left as default by novice users. The utility allows the user to view the video file in real-time as it is being converted.
Step 6
Click on the 'Convert' button to begin the conversion process. After completion, ConvertXtoDVD will automatically initiate the burning process to put the converted file onto a DVD media.
Step 7
When using Avi2DVD, the first step is to make sure that the AVI mode is selected prior to pressing the 'Load avi/ogm/mkv/wmv' button which will launch the Open dialog box.
Step 8
Navigate to the folder where the AVI file is stored. Make sure to create a simple folder like C:\ConvertMe as a storage location. Click on the first AVI file (in case there are more than one) and the utility will load the rest of the files automatically.
Step 9
Select the 'AudioStream', 'Aspect Ration', and 'Deinterlace' settings appropriate for the AVI file to be converted.
Step 10
In the preferred output, select the DVD format. Choose the disk size closest to your intended media. For DVD media, use DVD (DVD-5 4.7 GB) unless a bigger capacity media can be accommodated by the DVD burner.
Step 11
Select the Audio Bitrate for the output depending on the quality of the original audio. The tool automatically defaults to AC3 format for better compatibility with standalone DVD players.
Step 12
Select the 'Make ISO' option and give it any file name you prefer. The file name also becomes the Volume Label of the DVD after the burning process. If the 'Make ISO' option is not selected, the tool will create the VIDEO_TS folder where the DVD files will be stored. Select the output folder where the DVD files will be sent.
Step 13
Choose from the four free available encoders. Based on user feedbacks, HCEnc seems to be preferred due to its superior quality and speed. Select the Best Profile for the best quality output. Allow MPEG for Matrix as default.
Step 14
Load any subtitle files for the AVI if there is any and click on the 'Add Job' button to place the files in the Job Queue. Click on the 'Go' button to begin the conversion process.