authoring a dvd to distribute on amazon.

I am new to authoring anything but basic DVD's. I just finished a project that is going to be distributed through Amazon. I was sent a list of all the requirements. The problem is they want an ISO and they have a specific bit rate. From what I understand Compresssor 4 can set the bit rate but cannot make ISO's as they cannot be compressed. I think burning it directly from FCPX makes an ISO (not positive) but no way to set bit rate there. Please help. Below I list the requirements sent to me. A few things are obvious like making a single track DVD or the size of file. My concerns are for 1-5. Any help is apreciated.

1. Content must be an authored DVD provided as a single ISO file.
2. ISO files must be unencrypted.
3• We require your source copy to be authored with a single Video Title Set (VTS) and that you place the main feature in one VTS under VTS_01. Discs authored with multiple VTS files cannot be accepted at this time.
4. Your source copy must contain only AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders in the root directory of the disc.
5. In order to maximize playback compatibility, we recommend a maximum total bit rate for the combined video and audio tracks of 6.5 Mbp/s (megabits per second).
• We do not support inclusion of data or executable files on DVD.
• We recommend using Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio; however PCM and DTS audio are also supported.
• We accept discs up to 4.6 GB in size.

Only single track DVDs are supported at this time.

You'll need to use an app like DVD Studio Pro, Encore, or Toast to make an ISO

I am no expert but did a test for you...
-In compressor DUPLICATE global dvd creation settings,
-Click on the duplicated "Create DVD copy" change OUTPUT DEVICE to "Hard drive",
-Change LAYERS to single,
-Customize WHEN DISC LOADS to taste,
You will get a ".img" file which I think is a standard DVD Format ... when mounted = UDF disk format

UDF is the same format as a commercial pro DVD disk.

FRANCOIS

PS - DVD studio pro also outputs .img files but Toast exports .toast which also are UDF format disc image.

This last workflow also produce a PAR folder containing a " .par " document that if you have DVD STUDIO PRO will launch this software so you can create a pro menu and navigation interface ...

Thanks. Good info. A question though?Are UDF format disks ISO files and do thy contain aVTS file ? I presume encore or DVD studio pro will let me set bit rates?

I appreciate the help. RMC

Who sent you the specifications? The bit rate should be as high as possible. Converting your audio to Dolby Digital will let you increase your bitrate. It's not a good idea to use LPCM on a DVD as it just takes up too much room. Is the replication facility the one that wants an ISO? Usually you can just send them a DVD-R and they'll take it from there. I would highly recommend authoring with DVD Studio Pro or Adobe Encore. Encore for sure can build to ISO. DVD Studio Pro can only build to VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders. Encore is a lot more flexible than DVD Studio Pro. You can create playlists and the like which makes it really easy to have "Play all" buttons.

You'll want to covert your video with Compressor before you work in DVD Studio Pro or Encore. Don't let those apps transcode for you or you WILL lose progressive scan ability. Interlacing is lame and you don't want that. Transcode the video into .m2v. I'd do 2-pass with the upper bar at around 7mbps and the lower bar at around 8.5mbps. The audio needs to be converted to Dolby Digital (.ac3). If it's only stereo, a bitrate of 224kbps is fine. Make sure dialog normilization is set to -31dbfs.