14 DAY TRIAL // Creating DVDs is no longer a secret. I remember that a long time ago I was trying to convert the AVI files on my computer into DVD player compatible files. I kept failing until one time I succeeded. I used to turn the AVI files into MPEG and after a strenuous process of making the necessary settings, finally, after some long hours, the file was ready. Well, it was not a DVD, it was a VCD, but it reached my end. But after watching the files and noticing the poor quality I decided to give up this activity.
But with today's software development creating a DVD with your .avi files is a snap. Nowadays, it is just a question of the right choice. Some of the softwares allow greater flexibility than others. A good thing is that you can test the program before buying it. And even the smallest time interval is beneficial as it gives you a hint about the capabilities of the application and you can judge for yourself if it is worth the cost.
ImTOO Software Studio came with a simple solution that does the job quickly and even burns it on DVD. If you are used to the products of this developer, the name of the software will not come as a surprise. It is called ImTOO AVI to DVD Converter and the version analyzed today is 2.0.13 build 1122.
The interface is as simple as in all their products and the fact that they kept it user friendly is just another way of showing the consideration for all categories of users (both skilled and less advanced ones). The application is not professional so you can forget about shaping your own DVD menus.
It comes with a set of presets that cannot be changed in any way. Being a family product among the menus it contains you can find titles like Mother's Day, Family Portrait, Christmas, Classical, Father's Day, Easter, Wedding Anniversary etc. Before creating the DVD the user can rename it, but it will not change the looks of the menu.
As I have said before, using the application is easy, and even in the trial version you can create fully functional DVDs. The only restriction in the limited release is that it can generate only thirty minutes. Other then this, ImTOO AVI to DVD Converter allows you to create the DVD and deposit it on your hard disk and burn it later. Another option is to create an ISO of the DVD and save it in a folder on your hard.
The duration of creating the DVD depends on the size of the files you want to add. In the Advance Generate window you will be able to see the required space for your DVD and, if you have bought the software you can use the recording function and set the writing speed.
The main application window displays the three steps to take in order to get your job done. Drag and drop is supported by the software so you can avoid the Add button. Next step is selecting a template from the right side of the main application window. The last operation is clicking the Burn button.
There is a little catch if you want to save the files to your computer. Pressing the red Burn button is futile. You will have instead to choose the Burn option in the File menu. After passing the registering window and the limitation warning the Advance Generate DVD window will appear and you can set the name of the DVD volume and choose one of the three saving options available: Generate DVD folder, Generate ISO file and Custom temp directory.
Before pressing Start, you should probably take a look to see if the Record to DVD disc option is unchecked.
That's it, test the newly created DVD and enjoy.
The Good
The application is very easy to use and its functionality is obvious. The number of supported file formats covers the popular video types like AVI, MPEG, M2V, DAT or VOB.
The Bad
A little more care at the spelling should not stay in the way of your DVD creating. However, letting the user create the template would have contributed a lot to the software's flexibility.
Also, I have noticed that, after the conversion, the sound quality is not as good as the one in the original file. If you pay attention you will hear a hissing that is pretty annoying.
The Truth
Pretty nice software that does not cost too much. Of course, the price is a little high compared to the resulting quality.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
