Q DVD-Author review
A capable free DVD authoring GUI, with folder output instead of direct disc creation.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Q DVD-Author is an open-source desktop application for creating video DVDs through a graphical interface to dvdauthor and related command-line tools. It suits users who want a free, cross-platform authoring workflow for Linux, Windows, or macOS. The application organizes video sources, supports main menus and submenus with buttons, and provides play-all and chapter navigation. It also handles subtitles, multiple audio channels, language tagging, PAL and NTSC authoring, and slideshow creation.
Its feature depth is strongest in DVD structure and navigation. Users can import chapter markers from text files, preview DVD structures using xine, and build menus around video content. The published feature set also includes integrations with dvdauthor, mjpegtools, ImageMagick++, FFmpeg, MPlayer, xine, and growisofs. That combination connects the graphical authoring layer with established media-processing and disc-writing tools, while keeping the project focused on conventional video DVD creation rather than newer disc formats or AI-assisted workflows.
The main workflow boundary is output: Q DVD-Author creates DVD project folders for burning, so disc production remains a separate step. Chapter handling is manual through text-file import, and the documentation describes some releases as alpha or under development. Choose Q DVD-Author if you need free, open-source authoring with menus, navigation, subtitles, slideshows, and PAL/NTSC support across desktop operating systems. Consider another tool if you want a more current product workflow, automated chapter creation, or direct disc output from the authoring application.
Q DVD-Author pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free, open-source authoring for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Menus, submenus, buttons, chapters, subtitles, and audio languages
- Supports PAL and NTSC, slideshows, previews, and project folders
- Where it doesn't
- Creates DVD project folders for burning rather than directly verified discs
- Chapter-marker import is manual through text files
- Documentation describes some releases as alpha or under development
Q DVD-Author fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update