How to Create Professional DVDs with DVD Creator PlusCreating professional-looking DVDs remains useful for archiving, gifting, or distributing video content where physical media is preferred. DVD Creator Plus is a user-friendly tool that helps you author DVDs with menus, chapters, and polished playback. This guide walks through planning, preparing assets, using DVD Creator Plus’ features step-by-step, quality tips, and troubleshooting so your discs look and play like they were made by a pro.
1. Plan the DVD before you start
Before launching the software, decide:
- Purpose: archival, portfolio, wedding, training, or sales.
- Target player type: standalone DVD players, computers, or both.
- Disc capacity: standard single-layer DVD holds ~4.7 GB (≈120 minutes at DVD quality); dual-layer holds ~8.5 GB.
- Structure: number of titles (main movie, extras), chapters, and menu hierarchy.
- Aesthetic: menu style, fonts, color scheme, background music.
Having a clear plan prevents rework and keeps the disc navigation intuitive.
2. Prepare your video and audio assets
Quality of source files determines final output. Follow these best practices:
- Use the highest-quality masters available (uncompressed or high-bitrate MP4/AVI/MOV).
- Edit and color-correct in a video editor first (cuts, transitions, stabilization).
- Target DVD video spec: MPEG-2 video, 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576 (PAL). If your source is HD, authoring software will downscale; pre-downscaling gives you greater control over bitrate and quality.
- Audio: standard DVD audio is stereo (PCM or AC-3) or Dolby Digital (AC-3). Normalize levels and remove noise. Aim for -6 to -3 dB peak to avoid clipping.
- Create chapter markers in your editing tool (if DVD Creator Plus supports importing chapters) or note timecodes to add in the authoring step.
- Prepare still images for menus (JPEG/PNG) at a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio matching your DVD format choice.
3. Install and set up DVD Creator Plus
- Install the latest version from the official source and apply updates or patches.
- Choose language and region settings if prompted.
- Configure temporary working folder to a drive with plenty of free space (authoring and encoding require several GB).
4. Start a new DVD project
- Launch DVD Creator Plus and create a new project.
- Choose the disc type: DVD-Video (for standalone players) vs data DVD (for computer playback). Select DVD-Video for professional discs.
- Set the video standard (NTSC or PAL) according to your audience’s players/region.
5. Import video files and arrange titles
- Import your edited video files into the project. DVD Creator Plus usually accepts common formats (MP4, AVI, MOV). If a file is unsupported, transcode it first.
- For multi-title DVDs (feature + extras), create separate title entries. Name each title clearly (e.g., “Main Feature — Episode 1,” “Behind the Scenes”).
- Arrange play order and set auto-play behavior: usually the main feature should be first and set to play automatically or require selection based on your design.
6. Create chapters and set menus
- Add chapter points at natural breaks (scene changes, song transitions). Aim for meaningful chapter segmentation — every 3–10 minutes is common for movies; for events like weddings, use event-based markers (ceremony, speeches, reception).
- Use DVD Creator Plus’ menu designer:
- Choose a template that matches your aesthetic or create a custom menu using your prepared background image.
- Add title buttons, text labels, and submenus (Extras, Scenes, Audio/Subtitles).
- Pick readable fonts and contrasting colors. Avoid overly small text.
- Set a background music track (looped softly under menu audio). Keep it low (-18 to -12 dB) so button sounds and voiceovers are clear.
- Preview navigation: test that buttons lead to the correct title/chapter and that “Play” and “Root Menu” behave as expected.
7. Configure video encoding and bitrate
- DVD Creator Plus will encode to MPEG-2. Choose a suitable bitrate:
- For single-layer discs: prioritize quality for the main feature (average bitrate 4.5–6 Mbps if the runtime allows).
- For dual-layer discs: you can allocate higher bitrates or longer runtimes (6–9 Mbps).
- Use two-pass encoding if available — it yields better quality at a given bitrate.
- If including lots of extras, consider making them separate titles on a second disc or on a data disc to preserve main feature quality.
8. Audio, subtitles, and region settings
- Add alternate audio tracks if needed (e.g., commentary, different languages). Ensure they are synchronized and properly labeled in menus.
- Import subtitle files (SRT) or create DVD subpictures if the software supports it. Test placement to avoid covering important onscreen elements.
- Decide region settings: for broader compatibility, leave region-free unless you must restrict playback.
9. Preview and test thoroughly
- Use the software’s preview function to simulate playback on a DVD player.
- Check:
- Menu navigation and button focus.
- Chapter timing and transitions.
- Audio sync and levels across titles.
- Subtitle timing and readability.
- Export a DVD folder (VIDEO_TS/ AUDIO_TS) to your hard drive and test with desktop players (VLC, MPC-HC) before burning.
10. Burn discs and verify
- Choose reputable blank DVDs (Verbatim, Sony) for best longevity.
- Burn at a conservative speed (4x or 8x) to reduce errors; faster burns can increase the chance of coastered discs.
- Use the “verify after burning” option to ensure data integrity.
- Label discs with a permanent marker on the printable area or use printable discs and a direct-print drive for a professional look. Avoid sticking labels that can unbalance the disc.
11. Create a clean, professional package
- Design an insert/cover with the DVD title, track list/chapters, credits, and any legal info (copyright, region code).
- For corporate or portfolio DVDs, include contact info and branding.
- Use jewel cases, slim cases, or keep cases depending on intended presentation.
12. Troubleshooting common issues
- Unsupported file formats: transcode to a compatible intermediate (H.264 MP4 then let DVD Creator Plus encode to MPEG-2).
- Poor video quality: increase bitrate, use two-pass encoding, or reduce run time per disc.
- Audio out of sync: re-check source edits; consider re-muxing audio and video separately then re-import.
- Menu buttons not working: ensure titles/chapters are finalized and re-link buttons in the menu editor.
- Burn errors: try a different brand of disc, lower burn speed, or clean the drive lens.
13. Advanced tips for pros
- Create custom MPEG-2 with professional encoders (e.g., ffmpeg with tuned parameters) and import for authoring if DVD Creator Plus supports raw streams — gives precise control over GOP size and bitrate.
- Use subtitles as selectable DVD subpictures to support multiple languages.
- Add Dolby Digital AC-3 audio for multichannel support if your audience uses home theater setups.
- Make ISO images for easy duplication and archiving.
Quick checklist before distribution
- Main feature plays correctly from start to finish.
- Menus, chapters, and extras link properly.
- Audio levels consistent across titles.
- Subtitles match spoken audio.
- Discs verified after burning and tested on at least one standalone DVD player.
Following these steps with attention to source quality, menu design, and encoding settings will help you produce DVDs that look and play professionally.
Leave a Reply