This may not be the correct place for this, if so please point me elsewhere.

My other half doesn’t have broadband, so I’m looking to write dvds so we can watch then on a dvd player.

To this end I’ve gotten a copy of ashampoo and downloaded some films (.mkv files) and I’m now looking to copy them onto dvds. Now I know I can’t just copy the files on, and the software’s asking for mpeg files only.

Has anyone come across - or know how to actually convert and write properly? A guide perhaps?

I know it’s old technology, but it’s gotta be better than just watching the crap on free tv. TIA.

Edit: many thanks to all for the great - and varied answers. Certainly lots of info to ‘chew’ on.

    • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝MAEnglish
      4·
      9 months ago

      Imgburn is what I used back in the day.

      why not get a super cheap android tv box instead? install vlc on it and plug usb.

      I’d also look into Casting it to the TV.

      • RelativeArea0@lemmy.ml
        2·
        9 months ago

        Well, that would be a good option as well but IMHO, im not 100% onto casting since there is like a sync delay which may ruin the watching experience and also I just added “the tvbox idea” because ngl, burning cds is a bit time consuming, unless you have like blank dvds laying around and a burner hardware.

        • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝MAEnglish
          2·
          9 months ago

          I do and I still wouldn’t bother because storage is so cheap and plentiful.

          If they’ve got a games machine or smart TV/media player they’d likely not even need an Android box.

      • Rambler@lemm.eeOP
        1·
        9 months ago

        I’ve never had much luck with casting. I’d also need the subtitles to sync properly too. I usually have to turn them off. Would you cast from phone then - to what - a chromecast?

        • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝MAEnglish
          1·
          9 months ago

          Depends on the TV, some you can cast straight too.

          If latency is an issue then you could try plugging in some kind of storage device with the films on. Again, it might depend on the hardware but I’d imagine most TVs have the facility.

    • Rambler@lemm.eeOP
      1·
      9 months ago

      Just tried it - it was fast, but it just copied the mkv file as is. Don’t these need some conversion work on them first so they play as a movie ?

      Thanks for the idea of a cheap android box - sounds plausible. Any good ones that spring to mind?

      • RelativeArea0@lemmy.ml
        2·
        9 months ago

        Neat! Not sure about that since it depends on the player. Some players has mkv support and vise versa.

        Im satisfied with mxq pro as my 1080p media box, but if you want some tinkering, you may go with tanix tx6 or q+ tv box then install armbian on it, or any sbc that can be installed with libreelec

        • Rambler@lemm.eeOP
          1·
          9 months ago

          I never thought to check what the dvd player supports - duh! I’ll do that next. Thanks for the info on the boxes.

          • RelativeArea0@lemmy.ml
            1·
            9 months ago

            Im not sure with dvd players with big names like sony, lg etc. Most cheapo with unknown brand/rebranded has mkv support

            Ps: i forgot to advise that you need to convert it 1st to mp4 before burning it, i would advise handbrake https://handbrake.fr/