Burning ISO Disc Images to Disc

This guide walks you through converting a video file into a DVD-Video compatible ISO image and then burning it to a physical DVD. The steps include:

Table of contents

  1. Prerequisites
  2. Step 1: Transcoding the Source Video with FFmpeg
    1. Simplified Command
    2. What This Does
    3. Notes
  3. Step 2: Authoring the DVD Structure with dvdauthor
  4. Step 3: Creating the ISO Image with mkisofs
  5. Step 4: Burning the ISO to a Physical DVD
    1. On macOS
  6. Step 5: Testing the DVD
  7. Additional Notes

Prerequisites

  • FFmpeg:
    Install via Homebrew: 
    brew install ffmpeg
  • dvdauthor: 
    brew install dvdauthor
  • mkisofs (via cdrtools): 
    brew install cdrtools
  • A DVD Burner and Blank DVDs (single-layer 4.7GB discs).

Step 1: Transcoding the Source Video with FFmpeg

DVD-Video requires MPEG-2 video, AC-3 audio, a resolution of 720x480 (NTSC), and specific formatting. If your source is not already DVD-compliant, you must transcode it.

Simplified Command 

ffmpeg -i "path/to/source_video.mp4" -target ntsc-dvd dvd_compliant.mpg

What This Does

  • Uses FFmpeg’s -target ntsc-dvd preset, ensuring the correct video format, frame rate, and bitrate.
  • Encodes audio as AC-3 stereo.
  • FFmpeg automatically applies telecine (2:3 pulldown) if the source is 23.976 fps, ensuring smooth playback at 29.97 fps on NTSC DVD players.

Notes

  • PAL users should replace ntsc-dvd with pal-dvd.

Step 2: Authoring the DVD Structure with dvdauthor

After transcoding, create the DVD file structure (VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS directories, IFO/BUP files) and include chapters.

export VIDEO_FORMAT=NTSC [or PAL]

dvdauthor -o dvd_structure -t -c 0,5:00,10:00,15:00,20:00,25:00,30:00,35:00,40:00,45:00,50:00,55:00,1:00:00,1:05:00,1:10:00,1:15:00,1:20:00,1:25:00,1:30:00,1:35:00,1:40:00,1:45:00,1:50:00,1:55:00,2:00:00,2:05:00,2:10:00,2:15:00,2:20:00,2:25:00,2:30:00,2:35:00,2:40:00,2:45:00 dvd_compliant.mpg

dvdauthor -o dvd_structure -T

Step 3: Creating the ISO Image with mkisofs 

mkisofs -dvd-video -V "MyDVDTitle" -o dvd.iso dvd_structure

Step 4: Burning the ISO to a Physical DVD

On macOS

  1. Insert a blank DVD.
  2. In Finder, right-click the dvd.iso file.
  3. Select “Burn ‘dvd.iso’ to Disc…”.
  4. Follow prompts to burn.

Step 5: Testing the DVD

Test the burned DVD on a standalone DVD player (e.g., a Pioneer DVD player) to ensure it plays correctly. Check menus, chapters, and video quality.

Additional Notes

  • File Size Considerations: If the final MPEG-2 file is larger than 4.7GB, reduce -b:v (video bitrate) in FFmpeg so the final ISO fits on a single-layer DVD.