Free DVD Burning Software
Many people have movies on their computer that they would like to save onto a dvd but don’t know how to do it. This guide will help those people with not only explaining what dvd burning software can do for you but also where to find free dvd burning programs and how to use the software when they get it. If you follow those guide then you will soon be able to make your own dvds which will give you an edge over the people who are spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars by actually paying for them. Let’s get started.
What Is DVD Burning Software
DVD burning software is a collection of programs that will allow you to save files onto discs to take with you wherever you want. This can allow you to play the files back on dvd players, computers, CD players, and other types of things that allow you to play back information using discs.
An alternative to burning CDs and DVDs
An alternative to using CDs and DVDs to store your information is to save it onto a USB drive. USB drives are now common enough that most devices have ports that can read them. Even XBOXs now have USB ports in order to read, edit, and play back your information. This information could be anything, including programs, movies, and music. By using a USB drive instead of a CD or DVD, you will be able to store all of your information in one location and it’s even small enough to fit into your pocket. A standard 4 GB USB drive which costs about $12 can hold over 1300 songs or the equivalence of about seven movies. Now, if you want to store even more information then you could either buy an 8 GB USB drive which costs about $20 (which holds 2600 songs or 15 movies) or you can buy a 1 TB external drive which acts the same way that a USB drive does. An external drive can easily be plugged into the USB port of any device that allows it but can hold a LOT more information. A 1 TB external drive which will cost you about $95 can hold roughly 333,000 songs or 1500 movies. The only problem with an external drive is that it’s a lot bigger then a USB drive in physical size. It’s small enough to fit into a backpack but too large and heavy to put in your pocket. It’s about the size of a Blockbusters movie case and weighs about 10 pounds.
What Are Some Good Free DVD Burning Programs
If you’re set on burning a CD or DVD, for whatever reason, here are several programs that can help you do that. Keep in mind, though, that if your computer does not have the ability to burn CDs then you won’t be able to do it either way. If you’re using a modern laptop or a new computer in general then your computer should be able to do this.
Default DVD Burner
The first thing to look for is your computer’s default DVD burner. If your computer is able to burn DVDs then it should have come preloaded with a DVD burner. You can locate this by going to your start menu and selecting All Programs –> Accessories and then looking through all of the menus until you find it. It would probably be under Entertainment. If you have ever reinstalled Windows on your computer or got the computer from someone who has already done that then you won’t have it. If that’s the case then go with the program below.
Windows Media Player
If the default program doesn’t work then go with Windows Media Player. This program comes with a function that allows you to burn songs and movies to a disc and is very easy to use. Simply click on “Burn” and go into your library to select the file or files that you want to burn and drag them into the area on the right side. After you do this then just click “Start Burn” and you’ll be good to go. Also, if your computer doesn’t have the ability to burn discs then Windows Media Player will kindly tell you to connect a burner and restart Windows Media Player.
Using The Software
To use any type of software, including CD and DVD burning programs, you can usually find a “How To” file that’s usually included with whatever you downloaded. Often, this file is called “ReadMe”. If you are having trouble finding this file then no worries, here is what you should do for most CD and DVD burning software in order to burn your files onto a disc:
1. Put the disc into your CD drive. This is usually found in the front of a desktop computer or the side of a laptop computer. If you don’t have a CD drive then you can’t burn CDs, now can you? Don’t worry, you can often salvage the CD drive off of an old computer or go to any junk or computer store and you can buy one there. To install your CD drive, all you have to do is open the side panel of your computer and find a place to put the CD drive at. Usually, there’s a little shelf in there where the CD drive is supposed to go so you could just put it right there. To do it that way, however, you will have to fit it through the opening on the front of your computer which make take some expertise. Alternatively, you could leave the side panel of your computer off and let it hang out. Locate the little pins on the side of your CD drive and move the plastic piece to fit around the metal pins that are labeled “Slave”. Now find a cable that’s not plugged into anything and plug it into your CD drive, making sure that it lines up correctly. Then all you have to do is plug the power cord into the CD drive (has four holes) and you’re good to go.
2. Now that you’ve done that, go into the program and find a button that says something like “Burn” or “Burn to Disc”. This function may be under Files but it should just be out in the open. A menu should come up that asks you what you want to burn to the disc. Browse through your files until you come to the right one and simply select it and click “Ok”. It should load and then you’ll have it on your disc. To make sure, close everything and take the disc out. Now put the disc back in and hopefully it will automatically start up and play your file. If it doesn’t automatically start up then go into My Computer and right click on the CD drive. Now click “Play” and it should start right up. If it doesn’t, then you may have to try another program or maybe your computer just isn’t capable of burning it. If that’s the case, go with the USB option mentioned above.
If you have followed this guide then you should now have found that you have the ability to burn your own dvds for whatever purposes you like. I hope that you have found this article useful and are now on your way to dominating your computer and the technical world.