VCD, also called video CD, video compact disc or "disc", is a kind of compact disk format based on CD-ROM XA that is specifically designed to hold MPEG-1 video data and to include interactive capabilities. VCD has a resolution similar to that of VHS, which is far short of the resolution of DVD. Each VCD disk holds 72-74 minutes of video and has a data transfer rate of 1.44 Mbps. Later, with the fast improvement in technology, DVDs took place of VCDs due to a number of reasons. Generally speaking, compared to VCD, DVD has a higher resolution and better video playback quality. DVD, known as Digital Video Disc, is much advanced in optical disc technology and higher movie compression (MPEG-2).

In terms of data capacity, video quality and video player, DVD is much better as compared to VCD.

  1. DVD has a larger data capacity than VCD;
  2. 2, DVD has better video quality than VCD;
  3. 3. DVD player could play any VCDs while VCD players couldn’t be applicable to DVD.

Therefore, many users may have the need to convert VCD to DVD in order to play them on any DVD players with ease. Besides, users are able to customize the old VCDs in the form of DVDs. Under the circumstances, how to convert VCD to DVD quickly? Next, I will show you several methods to convert VCD to DVD, Leawo DVD Creator, ImTOO DVD Creator and Xillisoft MPEG to DVD Converter.

Part 1: Best VCD to DVD Converter -- Leawo DVD Creator

The best VCD to DVD converter that is apt for experts as well as newbies is Leawo DVD Creator. This professional software allows converting more than 180 formats to DVD and Blu-ray discs, which allows converting videos to ISO image files and DVD folder and all the conversions are without any quality loss. Meanwhile, the software could allow users to trim video length crop video size, adjust display effect and so on. Besides, the software offers you present multiple menu templates and custom designs.

Before using this powerful program, in order to burn VCD to DVD successfully, you need to extract the content from the VCD disc and store it on your computer. First, import the VCD disc to the disc drive and a folder will be opened automatically. Then you can find a folder named MPEGAV. Just copy the whole folder to computer. And the files in the MPEGAV folder are all .dat format. Change the extension dat to mpg. Then the next step is to burn those MPEG files to DVD. Now I will show you the detailed burning steps.

Step 1. Launch Leawo DVD Creator on your PC/Mac after the download and installation. From the main interface, click the “Blu-ray/DVD Creator” to enter the DVD Creator module.

Step 2. Insert a blank DVD to your PC/Mac CD drive. Import MPEG files to the software by clicking Add Video on the main menu. After loading the files, you can set the output DVD disc type (DVD-5 or DVD-9), quality and aspect ratio (16:9 or 4:3) at the bottom.

Step 3. After importing the MPEG file, Set the disc menu. Usually, it contains Standard, Business, Education, Childhood, Holiday, etc. And you can DIY your own disc menu with your images and audios. After setting the templates, click the green icon Burn to start the burning process. When you click Burn, you will see burning settings panel on which you need to figure out Burn to, Disc Label, and Save to options.

Step 4. Finally, hit the Burn button to start with the VCD to DVD burning process. After a few minutes of waiting, your VCD DAT files will be converted to DVD and can be played on any DVD player.

Part 2: How to Convert VCD to DVD with ImTOO DVD Creator

ImTOO DVD Creator, which could be used to convert VCD to DVD, is quite easy to be operated. With high speed conversion and simple interface, it is highly recommended by many users. ImTOO DVD Creator also features a range of powerful DVD authoring functions for making customized DVDs such as creating personalized DVD menus, clip video segments, add soundtracks and subtitles to DVDs, as well as editing video effects. The conversion process is quite simple. Check to find out how to convert VCD to DVD with ImTOO DVD Creator.

Step 1. Download and launch ImTOO DVD Creator in your computer, click "Add Video File(s)" button on the toolbar or click "File > Add Video File(s)..." option from the main menu to load the video files you want to burn.

Step 2. Now just insert a recordable disc, and choose the disc you insert from the "Destination" drop-down list. You are supposed to enter a name in the textbox as the DVD name. Next, hit the up and down arrows to set the number of copies you want to burn. If you set it to more than 1, the program will prompt you to insert a new recordable disc after burning a copy.

Step 3. If you need menu editing, click "Edit" button on the menu panel to open "Menu Edit" window, in which you can change the template, add background music/picture, title and opening film to your menu.

Step 4. In the end, hit "Burn" button at the right bottom of the file list to start burning. Just follow several steps, you can easily convert VCD to DVD.

Part 3: How to Convert VCD to DVD with Xilisoft MPEG to DVD Converter

As one of the convenient MPEG to DVD Creators, Xillisoft is a good choice, which is able to help burn DVD from MPEG and DAT files, indicating it can convert VCD to DVD easily. It includes additional features: clip unwanted parts of a video, crop image size, modify video effect, and add text/picture watermark before you burn MPEG to DVD. You may also add multiple audio tracks and subtitles to personalize a Home DVD menu with your favorite picture, background music or opening film clip. If you are searching for a simple VCD to DVD converter, you can take a try.

Step 1. Launch Xilisoft MPEG to DVD Converter after you have downloaded it successfully on your computer. The first need you need to do is load the video file. Locate the Add button and click it to add the video file you want to convert.

Step2. This dialog will come up, select your video file and click open.

Step 3. Above is how the main window will look after the video file is loaded. You need some calculations to find the bitrate so you should note the time length. To set the audio codec, you can choose between Mp2 and AC3 (Xilisoft Video Converter is one of the few programs that allows encoding to AC3). AC3 offers better quality but needs a bigger bitrate. In videos that the audio is Mp3, you should select Mp2 and 224 bitrate.

Step 4. At the video settings you can select between NTSC and PAL). Make sure you select the same format as your source or you may experience problems. To set the bitrate, you need to make sure that the video will fill a full DVD. Just add the movie length and the bitrate of the audio you used and you'll get the right value.

Step 5. Finally set the output folder and click encode. See the next window to review the settings!
Here we go, it's encoding!

Part 4: Comparison and Conclusion

Software

Leawo DVD Creator

ImTOO DVD Creator

Xilisoft MPEG to DVD Converter

Operation System

Windows and Mac OS X is available

Windows and Mac OS X is available

Microsoft® Windows XP (SP2 or later), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10

Supported format

It supports more than 180 formats:AVI, MP4, DAT, WEBM, RMVB, RM, MPG, MPEG, VOB, MOV, M4V, QT,FLV, F4V, NSV, NUT, MKV..

Create Home DVD movie on Mac from video files:AVI, DivX, 3GP, 3G2, ASF, DAT, DV, VOB, FLV, MP4, MKV,DVS(R)-MS, MPG, MPEG, TS, MOV, RM, RMVB, WMV, NSV, M2TS and MTS.

Video:MPEG, MP4, VOB, DAT, M2V, MPG, H.264;
Audio:AAC, AIFF, AC3, APE, AU, FLAC, MPA, MP2, MP3, MP4, M4A, MP4, OGG, RA, RAM, WAV, WMA, AIF

Pros

1.Burn DVD from any Video and Photos;
2.DVD Menu Templates Are Offered Free and Customizable;
3.Create DVD with Fast Speed and High Quality;
4.Edit video to make it your own style.

1.DVD authoring & customization: create Home DVD menus, clip video segments, add soundtrack/subtitles, edit effects plus more.
2.Multithreading & Multi-Core Processing for maximum conversion speed.
3.Ability to choose which audio channels or subtitles to include on your DVD to suit your preferences.
4.You can remove menus when copying DVDs for the best DVD quality.
5.It supports multiple languages.

1.Personalized DVD Menu;
2.Add and Edit Video Effects;
3.Easy to Use, High Burning Speed.

Cons

It costs a bit.

The software is not freeware and will require purchase at the expiry of the trial period.
For all its speed in handling your official copies, the duplication process to get an exact copy of a feature-length video will take you close to one and a half hours. That duration is discouraging for a copy project.

1.Saving only in preset sizes;
2.3-minutes video length limit;
3.Frequent license reminders.

Cost

$29.95

$25.97

$29.95

So, why not have a free trial on Leawo DVD Creator and create an all-new feature-packed DVD from your old VCDs easily. If you want, you can also burn ISO file to a blank Blu-ray/DVD Disc.