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How to Scan Pictures to a DVD

DVDs are good storage devices for photos and digital files. In order to store a picture to a DVD, it needs to be in a digital format. If you have a large number of photos that you want to store on a DVD, you will first need to convert them to digital files by scanning them into your computer using a flatbed or drum scanner. Flatbed scanners have improved in quality over the years since they were introduced. Drum scanners will provide you with a high quality scan, but they are prohibitively expensive to purchase, and will cost you money to have them scanned at a retail outlet.

Things You'll Need

Computer with DVD burner
Flatbed scanner
Photos to scan
Blank DVDs
Soft-tip marker

Instructions

- 1
  Turn on your computer and your flatbed scanner. While they are powering up, retrieve the pictures you want to scan to your computer and save to a DVD. Organize your pictures in the way you want scan them. Some popular ways to organize photos is to arrange them by the date they were taken, or the event they were taken at, or by the subject that is in the picture.
- 2
  Create folders in your computer to match the grouping categories you have decided upon for your pictures. Once the folders have been created, prep your pictures by using a soft dry cloth to gently clean the front of the picture.
- 3
  Place your photo face down on the flatbed scanner, close the lid and press the start button on the scanner, or commence the scan through the software for the flat bed scanner. Repeat the process until all of your photos you want scanned have been transferred to the computer. You will want to limit the size of the folder to 4.7gb. This way you can transfer one complete folder per DVD.
- 4
  Insert a blank DVD into your computer's DVD/burner drive. A pop-up window will appear, select "Copy to DVD" that will generate a second window giving you access to your computer's hard drive. Select the appropriate folder, right click the folder with your mouse and select "Send To" from the menu, select your DVD drive and click "OK." Your computer will start to copy the folder to the DVD.
- 5
  Once the DVD is burned with the new folder, remove the DVD from your computer, and using a small felt-tip marker gently write the subject name on the DVD to make identifying it easier in the future.

Photography