How to Convert Your AVI Files to DVD: Your Software Options

Converting AVI files to DVD is a very common operation, and is most commonly encountered when moving footage from a home video camera onto a personal computer. But once you get that file onto your computer, then what do you do with it?

Edit Your Movie

Once you transfer that AVI file to your computer, you will in all likelihood want to edit it. There are plenty of capable software packages available to assist with this chore, and they cost anywhere from $50 to $500, depending on the features of the software. For most home movie needs, you can find a very capable editor in the $70 to $100 range.

This type of software will enable you to cut your original footage into clips that you can then mark up as you wish. For example, you can add transitions like fade effects, pixelation; you can add track titles or captions; you can even create an entire menu system with custom or supplied graphics.

Copy Your Movie to a DVD

Converting from AVI to DVD format is really only half the battle. Once you get it in that format, you need a program to burn it back to DVD format. Most computers ship with an entry-level DVD burning software like Nero already installed.

Play Your Movie on a Portable Device

While standard DVD players are most commonly used for watching movies, a new generation of portable players exists that is capable of playing video, provided it’s in the proper format. So you can convert that footage into something that can be played on portal media players like the iPod, Zune, and PSP. That’s another thing to keep in mind as you learn how to convert AVI to DVD format.

There is no such thing as the perfect software for all of these tasks. The fact is that what is right for one person might not be right for you. To determine the best software for you, first determine exactly what your goals are for your software, and choose accordingly. As a rule of thumb, video editing software is large and requires significant processing power. The more you expect your software to do, the more complex you can expect it to be. Conversely, simple utility programs, while not particularly versatile, are simple and inexpensive to use.

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