Understanding and Performing DVD Finalization on Windows 10

This guide explains the importance and necessity of finalization, identifies which types of DVDs require it, and provides step-by-step instructions for finalizing a DVD using Windows 10. By finalizing DVDs, users can ensure that their discs are playable on different devices, enhancing the usability of their recorded media.

Finalization is a crucial process that allows DVDs recorded or dubbed on an HDD/DVD recorder to be played on other devices, transforming them into read-only media. This process ensures playback compatibility with various DVD players. Many people may have seen prompts like “NEED TO FINALIZE FOR DVD PLAYER PLAYBACK” without fully understanding their significance.This guide explains the importance and necessity of finalization, identifies which types of DVDs require it, and provides step-by-step instructions for finalizing a DVD using Windows 10. By finalizing DVDs, users can ensure that their discs are playable on different devices, enhancing the usability of their recorded media.

What is Finalization?

Finalization refers to the process that allows DVDs recorded or dubbed on an HDD/DVD recorder to be played on devices other than the one they were created on. This makes handbrake コピー ガード the DVD a read-only medium. Therefore, finalization is necessary to ensure playback compatibility with the latest DVD players. You may have seen messages like “NEED TO FINALIZE FOR DVD PLAYER PLAYBACK” when writing DVDs. Not many people understand what this means, why it is necessary, or how to finalize a DVD on Windows 10.

This guide explains the correct meaning and necessity of finalization and how to perform it on Windows 10.

Meaning and Necessity of Finalization

Have you heard that “finalizing a DVD allows smooth playback”? Indeed, unfinalized DVDs are in a state where additional recording can be done, and their data is not fixed. Current DVD players cannot read these unfixed data, making playback impossible.

Below, we introduce the meaning and necessity of finalization, providing detailed explanations.

What is Finalization?

Finalization, called “Finalize” in English, is the process of changing the data arrangement on a DVD recorded by a device so that it can be played on devices other than the one it was created on. Nowadays, there are many types of DVD/HDD recorders, and the dubbing and finalization processes are done separately. Without finalizing a DVD after writing media files to it, you won’t be able to play it on home DVD players or media players like VLC or RealPlayer. In short, to play a dubbed DVD smoothly on other devices, finalization is necessary.

The Necessity of Finalization

Why is finalization important? What DVDs require finalization? What problems arise with unfinalized DVDs?

The necessity of finalization depends on the type of DVD and the device used for playback, as detailed below.

When Finalization is Necessary:

1. DVD-R (Video mode/VR mode)
2. DVD+R
3. DVD-RW (Video mode/VR mode)
4. DVD+RW

When Finalization is Not Necessary:

1. BD-R
2. BD-RE

DVD-R/DVD+R and DVD-RW/DVD+RW require finalization, but the methods differ.

For DVD-R/DVD+R, select “Finalize” when dubbing. Since these can only be recorded once, no additional recording is possible after finalization.

For DVD-RW/DVD+RW, finalization can be done automatically during dubbing. You can also unfinalize them to record additional data multiple times.

Unlike DVDs, Blu-ray discs do not require user finalization.

How to Finalize a DVD on Windows 10

There are four methods to finalize a DVD: using a DVD/HDD recorder, DVD burning software (like DVDFab DVD Copy, DVD Memory, BurnAware Free), the built-in disc burning cprm 解除 feature of Windows 10, and dubbing services (for VHS, 8mm, Beta, miniDV, etc.).

Here, we’ll introduce how to finalize a DVD using the Windows 10 disc burning feature.

Note: Windows 10 offers two disc writing methods: “Live File System” and “Mastered.” Data written in one format cannot be added to a disc written in the other format.

Steps to Finalize a DVD on Windows 10

Using Live File System:

1. Insert a blank DVD into the drive.
2. When the media is recognized, click the notification “Select what to do with this blank DVD.”
3. Select “Burn files to disc.”
4. Enter a disc title, check “Like a USB flash drive,” and click “Next.”
5. Click “OK” on the format warning, and wait for formatting to complete.
6. After formatting, drag the files you want to write to the DVD RW drive on your desktop.

Using Mastered Disc:

1. Insert a blank DVD into the drive.
2. Click the notification “Select what to do with this disc.”
3. Select “Burn files to disc.”
4. Enter a disc title, check “With a CD/DVD player,” and click “Next.”
5. Drag the files you want to write to the DVD RW drive on your desktop.
6. Select “Manage” from the menu, then “Finish burning.”
7. Enter a disc title, select a writing speed, and click “Next.”
8. Wait for the data to be written to the disc.
9. Click “Finish” when prompted.

Summary

This guide explained the meaning, necessity, and how to perform DVD finalization on Windows 10. Finalized DVDs can be played on devices other than the one used to create them. Make sure to check this process to ensure your DVDs are playable on different devices.