MDS file
Encyclopedia
An MDS file is an optional media descriptor
file that can be generated when creating a disc image
from a CD or DVD. The format is a binary file
with the magic number
"MEDIA DESCRIPTOR" appearing in the beginning of the file. The MDS file contains metadata
about the original media, specifically the position of the layer breaks or layer breach bit, a property of the copy protection feature of DVDs
. An MDS file is then used in conjunction with its related disc image to re-create the DVD. It is called an MDS file because of its implemented file extension .mds. It could also be described as being an archive file
of MDS format.
imaging applications. The MDS file format is primarily utilized by the commercial application Alcohol 120%. However, it was also used by DVD Decrypter
(now ImgBurn
) which has since been released to Macrovision
by its original author, Lightning UK!. It is presently used in limited fashion by Lightning UK! ImgBurn
. Daemon Tools
also uses this format to mount/emulate MDS files. CDemu
allows the MDS files to be used under Linux. CDBurnerXP supports copying video CDs and DVDs to MDS files.
Descriptor
Descriptor may refer to*file descriptor, an abstract key for accessing a file*index term, also known as a "descriptor" in information retrieval*molecular descriptor, which helps characterize a chemical compound...
file that can be generated when creating a disc image
Disk image
A disk image is a single file or storage device containing the complete contents and structure representing a data storage medium or device, such as a hard drive, tape drive, floppy disk, CD/DVD/BD, or USB flash drive, although an image of an optical disc may be referred to as an optical disc image...
from a CD or DVD. The format is a binary file
Binary file
A binary file is a computer file which may contain any type of data, encoded in binary form for computer storage and processing purposes; for example, computer document files containing formatted text...
with the magic number
Magic number (programming)
In computer programming, the term magic number has multiple meanings. It could refer to one or more of the following:* A constant numerical or text value used to identify a file format or protocol; for files, see List of file signatures...
"MEDIA DESCRIPTOR" appearing in the beginning of the file. The MDS file contains metadata
Metadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
about the original media, specifically the position of the layer breaks or layer breach bit, a property of the copy protection feature of DVDs
CD/DVD copy protection
CD/DVD copy protection is a blanket term for various methods of copy protection for CDs and DVDs. Such methods include DRM, CD-checks, Dummy Files, illegal tables of contents, over-sizing or over-burning the CD, physical errors, and bad sectors...
. An MDS file is then used in conjunction with its related disc image to re-create the DVD. It is called an MDS file because of its implemented file extension .mds. It could also be described as being an archive file
Archive file
An archive file is a file that is composed of one or more files along with metadata that can include source volume and medium information, file directory structure, error detection and recovery information, file comments, and usually employs some form of lossless compression. Archive files may be...
of MDS format.
Support
MDS files can be created by optical discOptical disc
In computing and optical disc recording technologies, an optical disc is a flat, usually circular disc which encodes binary data in the form of pits and lands on a special material on one of its flat surfaces...
imaging applications. The MDS file format is primarily utilized by the commercial application Alcohol 120%. However, it was also used by DVD Decrypter
DVD Decrypter
DVD Decrypter is a software application for Microsoft Windows that can create backup disk images of the DVD-Video structure of DVDs. It can be used to image any DVD, but controversially it is especially useful for decrypting copy protected movies. The program can also record images to disc...
(now ImgBurn
ImgBurn
ImgBurn is a freeware program that allows the recording of many types of CD/DVD images to recordable media . Starting with version 2.0.0.0, ImgBurn can also burn files and data directly to CD/DVD. It supports padding DVD-Video files so the layer break occurs on a proper cell boundary...
) which has since been released to Macrovision
Macrovision
Rovi Corporation is a globally operating, US-based company that provides guidance technology, entertainment data, copy protection, industry standard networking and media management technology for digital entertainment devices and services...
by its original author, Lightning UK!. It is presently used in limited fashion by Lightning UK! ImgBurn
ImgBurn
ImgBurn is a freeware program that allows the recording of many types of CD/DVD images to recordable media . Starting with version 2.0.0.0, ImgBurn can also burn files and data directly to CD/DVD. It supports padding DVD-Video files so the layer break occurs on a proper cell boundary...
. Daemon Tools
Daemon Tools
Daemon Tools is a disk image emulator and optical disc authoring program for Microsoft Windows. Daemon Tools was originally a furtherance in the development of another program, Generic SafeDisc emulator, and incorporated all of its features. The program claims to be able to defeat most copy...
also uses this format to mount/emulate MDS files. CDemu
CDemu
CDemu is a software suite designed to emulate an optical drive and disc on the Linux operating system.CDEmu consists of:* a kernel module implementing a virtual SCSI host bus adapter,...
allows the MDS files to be used under Linux. CDBurnerXP supports copying video CDs and DVDs to MDS files.