How to Create DVDs With Menus

Customizing your personal DVDs by making menus for them is a fun and creative way to make your DVDs special. The average burner software has a ton of options when it comes to text and background effects, so while it could take a little time to get it done, the results will be more than satisfactory.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Insert a blank DVD into the your computer's disc drive.

2. Open up your DVD burner software on your computer. Most computers have a default one, such as Windows DVD Maker or Toshiba's Ulead DVD MovieFactory.

3. Create a new video project. If you get a prompt asking what kind of DVD you want to create, choose the option that allows you to edit the menus.

4. Click on the tab that says "Add Items" or "Add Videos" (depending on what burner software you are using). The folder where you keep your video files should pop up. Click on the file you want to place on your DVD, and it should appear in the DVD burner's dashboard. Repeat as necessary, then click the "Next" tab.

5. Start to customize your menu. You should be able to adjust the menu's text and visual effects, and also add background images, videos and audio. Some burners have visible tabs that say "Adjust Text" or "Adjust Background." Other ones require you to right-click the object you want to customize and choose from the list plane that pops up. When you're done with your menu, click the "Next" tab.

6. Burn your DVD.

Tips & Warnings

• Your burner software should have a "Preview" option that allows you to take a look at your entire DVD (including menus) before you burn it. Take advantage of this option to make sure that your menu is to your liking. Blank DVDs come in two forms: DVD-R and DVD-RW. DVD-Rs are recordable but not erasable, whereas DVD-RWs are both recordable and erasable.