want to convert dvd that plays on computer to play on tv and simply

[ejmmjm]

I just dont get it. I have loads of dvd and cd that I want to play on my tv. They DO play on my computer. I had a neighbor convert one to an .avi file (not sure how he did it) when he left my house, I tried to burn that file. It burned, but still does not play on tv..it says incompatible. Is there a simple program I can buy where I can copy my dvds to desktop and then drag them to be converted and burned to play on tv? thanks. I really am a grandma who needs help. the confused symbol suits me exactly. !!!

[Kerry56]

Hello ejmmjm, and welcome to the forums. When you say "play on my tv" I assume you are trying to play through a stand alone dvd player or dvd recorder?

Most dvd players from years past did not have the ability to play anything other than dvd-video. Many newer players can play other formats, like your avi file, but even then, there are restrictions on exactly what will work. DVD players differ quite a lot in their capabilities, so it would help to know which make and model dvd player you have.

If your dvd player is a really old one, it may also have some problems with dvd-video that is burned to disks. For these very old models, I'd stick to -R disks, preferably Verbatim brand. Burn them at a moderate speed, like 8x.

If you need to convert a lot of video (of various types) to dvd-video format, you should look at a commercial program called ConvertXtoDVD. Free alternatives would include AVStoDVD and DVDFlick. I use AVStoDVD personally.

[usually_quiet]

Where did these CDs and DVDs come from? Are they perhaps from another country? From a DVD recorder that a relative uses to record TV shows? From a camera? Do all these discs contain videos or do some contain photos?

[ejmmjm]

Thank you. This is an old dvd player. these are my own home videos that I made over the years while travelling abroad. Would just like to sit down and see them on large screen. I did download avs program, but did trial and it did not work. I will try again. I wonder if a store like Costco or someplace like that can do it for you. Anyway, I would appreciate all suggestions.
Thank you.

[ejmmjm]

idea!!! maybe i should try hooking my laptop to my tv. will it then play on tv? i need to check tv to see if I have an avi in put...maybe that would be easiest for me

[LJB]

If you need to convert a lot of video (of various types) to dvd-video format, you should look at a commercial program called ConvertXtoDVD. Free alternatives would include AVStoDVD and DVDFlick. I use AVStoDVD personally.

I would also suggest AVStoDVD.

For a simple solution I would also suggest a look at Freemake Video Converter.
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?toolsearch=freemake&Submit=Search&convert=&s=&orderby=Name&hits=50

It 's very easy to use and will produce a video_ts folder.

Use imgburn to burn the video_ts folder to a blank TY or Verbatim (non Life series) blank dvd -/+r

[usually_quiet]

Thank you. This is an old dvd player. these are my own home videos that I made over the years while travelling abroad. Would just like to sit down and see them on large screen. I did download avs program, but did trial and it did not work. I will try again. I wonder if a store like Costco or someplace like that can do it for you. Anyway, I would appreciate all suggestions.
Thank you.

DVDs recorded by a video camera may be in VR mode and on DVD-RAM discs. These discs will have "DVD-RAM" printed on the label. Most DVD players do not play DVD-RAM discs or VR mode recordings. They expect a different kind of DVD media and Video mode recordings. Some Panasonic DVD players will play DVD-RAM discs with VR mode recordings from Panasonic video cameras. However, it would still be better to copy your movies to regular DVD discs in Video mode format to preserve them and make them compatible with more DVD players. Reusable media like DVD-RAM or DVD-RW isn't meant for permanent storage. Over time, the data stored on these kinds of discs may be lost.

Your video camera may have come with software for transfering files to your computer and perhaps making DVDs from these files. If so, have you tried using it? That is probably the best option if you have the software and it is compatible with your current computer/operating system.

If you can't use the camera's software, and are using a version of Windows, you could try Cyberlink PowerProducer, which has a free trial download. Under "Disc Utilities" it has a "Make Compatible" feature that is supposed to copy videos from DVD-RAM to DVD-R or DVD+R to make a DVD that most DVD recorders can play. Cyberlink's products can read DVD-RAM discs correctly, which is not the case with the other software I have tried for transferring files from DVD-RAM discs. Although re-encoding was unnecessary, PowerProducer re-encoded everything on the disc when I used the "Make Compatible" option with a DVD-RAM disc from my DVD recorder, and so took a fair amount of time to do the job. The trial software did not create all the files needed to make a playable DVD and would not burn the files to DVD. I suspect the trial version is crippled to prevent people from just using it to do a few projects without paying for the software. However, the re-encoded video itself looked OK.

Use whatever blank DVD media you used previously to test PowerProducer or other software. However when you are ready to back up your recordings for real, I suggest that you buy some good recordable media online if you want your recordings to last and don't want to waste discs. Good DVD media has disappeared from brick-and-mortar stores. All they sell now is rubbish.

Most here buy Verbatim AZO media or Verbatim DataLifePlus (not the same as their "Life" series sold in brick-and-mortar stores, which is poor quality) or JVC/Taiyo Yuden. You can find both online at meritline.com and a few other specialty stores.

idea!!! maybe i should try hooking my laptop to my tv. will it then play on tv? i need to check tv to see if I have an avi in put...maybe that would be easiest for me

As far as connection your laptop to a TV, some laptops have a VGA port, which can be connected to a flat screen TV with a VGA port using a VGA cable. Audio would be provided by a headphone jack on the laptop connected to the red and white audio jacks on the TV, but you will need an adapter cable like the one below. The electronics department of some of your local stores, such as KMart, may carry these in the electronics deparment.

http://www.amazon.com/Dynex-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B0032JAG4G

[Edit] A few laptops have an HDMI port that can connect to a flat screen TV with HDMI ports, If you have that option available on the laptop and the TV, all you need is an HDMI cable.