AVI to DVD for Windows

• Currently, the two most popular options for converting AVI to DVD are Roxio's Creator 2010 software suite and Nero 9 software suite. The current versions of their software suites warrant comparison to Apple's iLife software with additional functionality such as DVD menu creation, video editing, file format conversion (including .avi) and adding additional audio editing features. Both software suites will convert your .avi file(s) and burn them to a playable DVD disc.
  
  As of September 2009, Nero 9 offers a free 15-day fully functional trial version you can download from their website. Roxio Creator 2010 does not currently have a trial version available; however, they offer excellent videos and tutorials on their website to give potential buyers an overview of how the programs work. As with any software purchase, it is a good idea to read reviews of both before purchasing.
  
  As of this writing (2009), Roxio Creator 2010 retails for $99.99 and Nero 9 retails for $89.99 for the physical versions. Both companies also offer downloadable versions that are $20.00 cheaper than the boxed set and eliminates the shipping cost.
  
  

AVI to DVD for Macintosh

• Mac OS X offers two different popular options for converting AVI to DVD.
  
  The first is Roxio Toast, which is a scaled down version of Roxio Creator 2010. Roxio Toast 10/Toast Pro are based on a similar CD/DVD burning core as Roxio Creator 2010, but lack the extra functionality of a full software suite such as creating fully customized DVD menus and video editing. Roxio Toast does offer a limited selection of built-in DVD menu templates you can choose.
  
  The other option to burn AVI to DVD is with iDVD, which is part of Apple's iLife suite bundled with every Macintosh. However, not all .avi files are created the same way and iDVD doesn't support as many types of .avi compressors as Toast does. iDVD also lacks customized options for converting your AVI to DVD like aspect ratio changing, frame rate control and sound encoding like Toast does.
  
  Roxio Toast retails for $99.99 as of September 2009 and Roxio Toast Pro retails for $149.99. Both products currently offer a $20.00 mail-in rebate. There is a downloadable version of each, available, but the cost is the same. iDVD is part of the iLife '09 software suite and is bundled with every new Apple Macintosh or is available from the Apple Store for $79.00.
  
  

Warnings

• Various different codecs (software video compressors), such as DIVX or Flip video, are used to create AVI files. Depending on what type of codec was used to create your AVI file, you may have to download additional software to convert it properly. All three Roxio programs and Nero will tell you what video codecs you need, however Apple's iDVD does not.
  
  There are several less expensive shareware programs for both operating systems to convert AVI to DVD, but they are not as functional and do not work as reliably as the programs discussed in this article.