Windows 7: How to create a DVD that will play on a non-computer player

I create a DVD from mp4 digital downloads. They play on the computer but not on a stand alone DVD player. The DVD I do create, contain two folders named Audio_TS and Video_TS. Only the Video_TS contains any data, the Audio_TS folder is empty. Some of the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue ! important]digital [COLOR=blue ! important]videos[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] are in two parts. I edit them a bit and then join them together before burning them. I suspect I need some kind of autorun scripts installed also that will start the DVD automatically.
Will anybody recommend, preferably. a [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]freeware[/COLOR][/COLOR] program that will do the job?
Incidentally, I am burnig to DVD+RW disks

Did you convert them to iso files first? Many free converters out there.

All ripped dvds come with the folders you specified, and audio is always empty. You really dont have to do anything with it.

With 1 video in 2 parts or more, I find its easier to use TSmuxer to join them as a single file then recode into DVD format.

In regards to your DVD folder structure, the fact the Audio folder is empty is fine. But you should have a Audio and Video folder. You shouldn't need to convert to ISO format first.

A lot depnds on the program you are using to convert the MP4 to DVD. Some can make the DVD by piecing the video clips together to create a single title while others may treat each video clip as a separate title.
The problem may be with the program thats converting to MP4 to DVD format. Ensure all settings are set correctly, especially the options for burning to disc.


Ive always just used Nero to make DVDs and it works well.
As far as free alternatives, Im really not sure whats decent anymore.


--EDIT--
One other thought. Try a different DVD player and see if it plays. It may just be your particular DVD player does not like homemade discs. I've had one like that in the past, yet the disc played fine on the PC and other DVD players.

DVD Flick
DVD Flick will accept and convert the vast majority of video files out there and convert them to a beautifully finished DVD playable on any player. I have used this program for years with consistently superb results. It's basically a wrapper for ffmpeg.exe and ImgBurn that takes all the guesswork and error out of converting and burning DVDs.

Hi there
This one works fine but it costs 49 USD -- if you do a lot of video editing etc well worth it. You can get a trial version to test it.

ConvertXtoDVD - AVI to DVD Video Converter to burn on DVD

Open source products arfe great - but if you want something a bit more sophisticated I really think it's worth ponying up the 49 USD for this one.

cheers
jimbo

You could try ImgBurn...it's a free open source program that allows you to make ISO images, burn discs ect.

You can use it to turn the file you want to put on your DVD into an ISO image and use the tool that burns ISO images to discs to burn your ISO image to the disc.

Also, sometimes placing media in folders will make the disc useless to the DVD player, so you can just put the files that you want played into the disc's root directory (means not in any folders) and delete the other folders, since the Audio_TS folder is empty.

Hope this helps,
techhead287

DID YOU KNOW: 700MB discs are really 702MB

You can use DVD Flick as mentioned by other users. Basically your DVD-Video discs will contain folders called VIDEO_TS, for the video files, and AUDIO_TS, which will usually be empty. What these programs will do is convert your videos to the (.VOB) format with (.BUP) and (.IFO) files all inside a VIDEO_TS folder.
When you create DVDs, it will reduce the quality of your movies (because you're converting one lossy movie format to another lossy format) and increase the file size. You may get one or two hours of movies on a DVD instead of the six or seven hours you would get using AVI and a better codec.
Once you have the files inside the VIDEO_TS folder all you have to do is burn the VIDEO_TS folder onto a data dvd disc.
See How to burn DVD folders with ImgBurn for a walk-through.
How to burn a DVD Folder with ImgBurn - AfterDawn: Guides
However, ImgBurn is included in DVD Flick and AVStoDVD .
Alternatively, Windows DVD Maker, which is included in Windows 7 , will do the job too .