DeVeDe is a free video converter program that enables you to create DVDs and CDs. Developed by Sergio Costas Rodriguez, this open-source multimedia software can write on disks and convert videos to readable formats. Unlike other similar programs that can burn ISO images, this one also offers video-editing features such as adding menus or subtitles. It tends to perform slowly, but it’s reliable enough and is highly customizable. 

Not just a converter

At its core, DeVeDe can burn video files to disks, with a specialized focus on DVDs and CDs. However, it also supports SVCD (Super Video CD), CVD (China VideoDisc), and DivX (Digital video express) or MPEG-4. These formats can be read by a DVD player, which is often for home use. Thus, you can easily create personalized disks or video compilations for whatever reason without purchasing a program’s license.

This DVD authoring tool supports many popular input video formats, such as AVI, MP4, MPEG, and MKV, to name a few. However, before conversion and burning, you can also edit the video first to make it a proper DVD file. The editing functions aren’t your usual fare of features, as you can’t cut or add effects to the videos. Rather, you can insert subtitles, create a menu, and add a menu background image.

Create your own DVDs

After you launch DeVeDe, it will prompt you to select a disk type: DVD, VCD, SVCD, CVD, or DivX/MPEG. These options include their description so beginner users won’t be too confused about what they’re choosing. The interface that is then displayed is contained within a compact window. Its design looks a bit bland but navigating it isn’t difficult. The top half of the window is split into two: the left half is for the ‘Titles,’ and the right half is for the ‘Files.’

Titles are the ‘main categories’ of the Files when you create a menu for the disk. You can add several Files under one Title. On the other hand, when adding Files, you’ll be given more options before adding them to the disk. These include the subtitles, video format of either PAL or NSTC, audio, and the like. The bottom half of the window displays the general settings like disk usage and the overall file information.

However, while this program offers versatile customization, it can be slow to complete certain commands. It’s also no longer updated as the developer has come out with DeVeDeNG or DeVeDe NG, a rewrite of DeVeDe, and has more optimized features. Compared to the new version, this old program still requires you to use a Title when adding video files. The new version is also free and open-source. 

At no cost

All in all, DeVeDe is a nice option if you’re looking for a free program that can create proper DVDs. It offers various configurations for DVD and CD formats and does so on a user-friendly interface. However, it’s no longer in active development because of its rewritten version, so if you’re looking for more features, this may not be the right program for you. Nevertheless, it functions well enough for anyone who wants such a tool.