ISO - Disc Image File

The ISO file format is a versatile and powerful file format. It is an excellent file type for data storage and backup, especially suited to backup media like CD's and DVD's. The file format is compatible with Windows, Macintosh and Linux systems. The file is an image of a disc which creates an exact copy of the original physical media. This file format can also be used to backup an entire hard drive, by imaging the existing drive and then writing the image onto a series of discs. Here are a few answers to the most common questions for this file type:

• What is an ISO File

ISO is short for International Organization for Standardization. As such an ISO file conforms to their standards and is one of the reasons why the file type is portable between all operating systems. An ISO image extracted from a DVD is a perfect copy of the disc, and can be used to make a replacement of DVD in case the original DVD gets damaged. ISO imaging software is available from several vendors and comes free in some cases.

• How to Play ISO Files

An ISO file can be played directly by VLC Player. Linux-based systems have more options to play an ISO file directly as Linux has a utility called "ffmpeg" that can handle the ISO codec. The other two platforms rely on decompressing the ISO file to extract the data files to be played back. Another way to playback the image file would be to burn the image back onto a DVD or CD as the case may be.

• How to Convert an ISO File

There are many ways to convert ISO files into other formats. Software can be used to convert the image into either an archive file type or even a media file type depending upon the operating system. In a Linux environment the "ffmpeg" standard can manipulate the ISO image into an archive file type like .bin or even create an .mpg file. In Windows systems software can be obtained for free from the internet to help in conversion.

• How to Decompress ISO Files

Decompressing an ISO file comprises of extracting data from the image. This is done by using archive software that helps by creating a virtual drive. A virtual drive or "mount-point" is created using an archive manager like "fstab" in Linux systems. Windows systems need to install software such as "PowerISO" to mount the file. Once the image is mounted the data files can be extracted by copying it onto disk.

• How to Write an ISO File to DVD

Writing an image file to DVD is essentially the task of "burning" a new DVD with the ISO image. By following the steps provided in the tutorial of the DVD burning software an exact copy of the image file can be created. Generally the steps will include: (a) using a blank DVD, (b) inserting the DVD into the DVD drive, (c) selecting the image file to be used for burning, (d) checking the write speed and confirming the drive letter and (e) burning the disc.