How To Copy VCD Discs To DVD Or VCD?

by Barbara
(Canada)

Question: I just read your article about burning VCD discs using Nero Burning Rom. I need to find out how to copy VCD discs to DVD or VCD. I'm not really very good with computers. If you can help me, that would be great. Thank you very much.

Answer: Thanks for your question. Well, copying VCD discs to DVD or VCD is not that difficult. You'd have to understand a little about the tools involved though. We'll take a brief look at 2 methods of achieving this.

Method 1: Use SVCD2DVD

SVCD2DVD is a simple program which can help you very quickly convert VCDs to DVDs.

First, you need to download and start the SVCD2DVD program. Next, locate your MPEG files in Windows Explorer (VCD discs hold their MPEG video in a file called the ".dat" file within the MPEGAV folder of your VCD).

Once you've located your ".dat" file to SVCD2DVD, simply drag your media files from Windows Explorer to the SVCD2DVD Assets Window. Click on Quick DVD & Burn to have the program automatically convert the VCD media file and burn the contents into a DVD. Very simple indeed.

Method 2: Use TMPGEnc

There is another method I know of to convert VCD to DVD. You need to download and use a program called TMPGEnc.

First of all, you need to locate and copy the ".dat" file from the VCD to your Hard disc. Again, you can find it in the MPEGAV folder of your VCD. Copy it to a folder in your hard disc and rename it to something like video1.dat.

You then need to download and open the TMPEGEnc program to edit your VCD video. You should Merge and Cut the video and then split the audio from the video and convert it to DVD level audio. Once you've done that, you just need to author (i.e. burn) the DVD.

Method 2 sounds immensely complicated but it really isn't. Refer to this website for full step-by-step instructions.