Creating a DVD menu may sound like a technical task reserved for video-production experts, but the truth is that anyone—beginners included—can design a professional, visually appealing, and fully functional disc interface with the right tools and guidance. Whether you’re preparing a family video compilation, a personal creative project, or a professional presentation, a well-designed DVD menu enhances the viewing experience and adds polish to your content.
This full beginner guide will walk you through everything you need to know: menu types, essential design elements, step-by-step creation methods, recommended tools, and practical tips for exporting and burning your final disc. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently create your own menu from scratch using any dvd menu creator or even a premium program like Leawo Blu-ray Creator.
1. Understanding DVD Menu Basics
Before diving into the technical steps, it’s important to understand what a DVD menu actually is and how it functions. A DVD menu is an interactive interface that appears before video playback. It allows viewers to select chapters, play the film, choose bonus features, or adjust audio and subtitle settings.
1.1. Types of DVD Menus
DVD menus typically fall into several categories:
• Main Menu
This is the first screen of your disc. It usually includes Play Movie, Scene Selection, Bonus Features, or Setup options. Most disc menu creators let you customize this screen heavily.
• Scene or Chapter Menu
This screen displays thumbnails or titles for chapters so viewers can jump to specific parts of the video. When learning how to make a dvd menu, this is often one of the most important sections.
• Setup Menu
This area offers audio choices (stereo, surround), subtitles, or language options.
• Special Features / Bonus Menu
Useful for documentary-style DVDs, behind-the-scenes footage, or added content.
Each type plays an important role in enhancing navigation and content accessibility.
1.2. Standard DVD Menu Layout Elements
A typical dvd menu template includes:
• Background (Image or Video)
This sets the mood—simple, elegant, or cinematic. Beginners can use built-in backgrounds or import their own.
• Buttons
These include text or graphic buttons like “Play,” “Scenes,” or “Extras.” Their placement must be clear and easy to navigate.
• Titles & Labels
Title text helps identify the video name or chapter names.
• Thumbnails
Small video previews used in chapter menus.
• Audio
(Optional) Background music for menus.
Understanding these elements helps ensure your menu feels cohesive and user-friendly.
1.3. Region Format & Technical Requirements
When creating a DVD menu, you must consider:
• Video Standard (NTSC or PAL)
- NTSC: Used in North America and parts of Asia (29.97 fps).
- PAL: Used in Europe and many other regions (25 fps).
Choose the standard appropriate for your audience.
• Disc Capacity
- DVD-5: 4.7 GB (single layer)
- DVD-9: 8.5 GB (dual layer)
• Audio Formats
Most DVD players support AC3 or PCM audio.
• Navigation Structure
Every button must be assigned an action: play video, go to another page, or return to the main menu.
These technical requirements ensure that your DVD menu works smoothly on all DVD players.
2. How to Make a DVD Menu Easily
Now we’ll walk through the complete process of creating your DVD menu from start to finish. You can use any dvd menu maker, but for beginners, the simplest workflow uses intuitive authoring tools.
2.1. Choose a DVD Authoring Tool
Your first task is selecting a tool that supports menu creation. Popular dvd menu creator programs include:
- DVDStyler – Free, beginner-friendly
- Wondershare DVD Creator – Good templates and customization
- Leawo Blu-ray Creator – Highly recommended for its flexibility, large template library, and excellent disc burning features
- Adobe Encore (discontinued but still used by experts)
- PowerDirector – Great all-in-one video editor + authoring features
For beginners and professionals alike, Leawo Blu-ray Creator stands out due to its ease of use, drag-and-drop menu system, and high-quality output. It works for both DVDs and Blu-ray discs, giving you more long-term flexibility.
2.2. Select or Import a Menu Template
Once your authoring software is open, you’ll need a menu template. A dvd menu template serves as the foundation of your design.
Where to Find Templates:
• Built-in Template Libraries
Most authoring tools (especially Leawo Blu-ray Creator) include categories like holiday themes, family collections, corporate styles, travel templates, and more.
• Design Asset Stores
Websites like Envato or Creative Market offer custom static or animated templates.
• Motion Graphic Template Marketplaces
Great for more cinematic menu styles with video backgrounds.
You can choose a built-in template to save time or import your own graphics to create an entirely custom concept.
2.3. Customize the Menu Layout
Here is where creativity comes in. Your dvd menu should reflect the theme and tone of your video.
Change Background Images or Videos
You can import:
- A family photo for a home movie
- A travel video loop
- A cinematic still for a film project
Edit Button Style & Placement
Choose button shapes, animations, and highlight colors. Position them in an intuitive layout—usually bottom-center or left-aligned for modern designs.
Add Titles, Fonts, and Branding
Customize the text so the menu feels cohesive. Use consistent fonts and avoid overly decorative typefaces unless the theme requires it.
Add Scene/Chapter Selection Pages
If your film has multiple sections, create chapter points (more on that next) and build a chapter menu with thumbnails.
Most dvd menu maker tools let you duplicate page styles for a clean, uniform look.
2.4. Add Videos and Define Navigation
This is where your DVD becomes functional—not just visually appealing.
Import Video Files
Drag and drop your videos into the project timeline. Make sure the format is compatible (MP4, AVI, MOV, MPG, etc.).
Set Chapter Points
Chapters help viewers jump through content. You can:
- Set chapters manually at important moments
- Auto-create chapters every few minutes
Link Buttons to Chapters or Videos
Each button must have a specific action. For example:
- Play → Starts the main video
- Scene Selection → Opens the chapter page
- Chapter 1 → Jumps to chapter point 1
- Audio → Opens audio setup
Add Audio Tracks or Subtitles
If your project needs accessibility, you can link subtitle buttons or language options.
This step ensures your DVD menu functions correctly when viewed on any DVD player.
2.5. Preview and Adjust
Before exporting, use the Preview feature to check:
- Button navigation
- Highlight colors
- Transitions between pages
- Chapter accuracy
- Background audio loop timing
- Spelling and font consistency
Think of this as your final quality-control checkpoint. Fix anything that feels out of place or confusing.
2.6. Export and Burn to DVD
Your final step is exporting the project as a disc image or burning it directly.
Recommended Export Settings:
- Video codec: MPEG-2 (standard for DVDs)
- Audio: AC3
- Resolution: NTSC (720×480) or PAL (720×576)
- Aspect ratio: 16:9 or 4:3 depending on your content
Burning Speed Considerations:
Burning too fast can cause playback issues on older DVD players. A safe speed is:
- 4x or 8x for maximum compatibility
Programs like Leawo Blu-ray Creator offer optimized burning modes to ensure smooth playback and fewer errors.
3. FAQs
Q1: What is the easiest software for beginners?
Most beginners find Leawo Blu-ray Creator or Wondershare DVD Creator easiest due to their templates and drag-and-drop design.
Q2: Can I use animated backgrounds?
Yes. Many disc menu creators allow video backgrounds for a more cinematic feel.
Q3: Do I need special hardware?
You only need a computer with a DVD burner and blank DVD discs.
Q4: Can I create DVDs from MP4 files?
Absolutely. The authoring tool converts MP4 (and other formats) into DVD-compatible MPEG-2.
Q5: Can my menu include custom music?
Yes. Most software lets you add background music loops.
4. Conclusion
Creating a functional and attractive dvd menu doesn’t require professional editing skills—just the right approach and user-friendly tools. By understanding menu types, choosing the right dvd menu maker, customizing templates, defining navigation, and exporting properly, you can produce a high-quality DVD that feels polished and enjoyable to use.
Whether you’re crafting a personal memory collection or a professional project, tools like Leawo Blu-ray Creator make the process smooth, intuitive, and creatively rewarding. With the guidance in this beginner-friendly tutorial, you now have everything you need to design your own DVD menu from start to finish.