Why do folks like image files (.ISO) ?

[ArthurDaley]

After reading the rants and ravs here https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=ImgBurn I can not help but wonder why people like dealing with images? I just see them as a file you can not see inside so easy which is annoying? I mean why store them like this because in order to use them you will need to burn them to DVD or use something like ISO buster. If they are stored as non-images (IE many files) then you have more flexibility and can make DVDs out them all the same.

So why use image files?

[TooLFooL]

think of an .iso as a .zip.. it's a complete disc, ready to go, all packed into one file. why would you want 'many files' when you can have 1?

also, you don't use isobuster to burn .iso's - ANY burning software you have installed will launch as soon as you double-click an .iso image, making them actually very convenient.

and as for not being able to 'see inside' them... .iso files aren't intended to be viewed that way, but it's isobuster that actually WILL let you 'look inside' an image file and view it the way you'd like.

[Phlexor]

WinRAR also opens .iso files and you can access them like any zip file or whatever.

Plus if its a DVDR iso, you can drop that sucker right into VLC and it will play it

[A_T]

You can mount them on a virtual drive with Daemon Tools or similar software and then use them with Windows Explorer as you would any drive.

[somebodeez]

When I get my home movies capped from VHS to my PC and get done w/making DVD files out of them, I make ISOs and store them on an external hard drive.
That way if anything happens to the DVDs I made (or the tapes themselves) I can just burn another copy.
I make a small text file to go with each one telling me exactly what is in the files so I can know with a click which one I need.

[gadgetguy]

...So why use image files?

I've often wondered the same thing. It is my understanding (and correct me if I'm wrong) that an .iso does not compress the data, so it's not like a .zip file which I use to archive data to smaller filesize. I understood the need to convert to iso to be able to burn with earlier versions of imgburn, but that extra step is why I didn't use imgburn until 2.0. (Now I use it for everything). I might add that I don't archive to HDD so I can't say from experience whether there is an advantage to archiving iso's over full directories, but I can't think of one.

[Capmaster]

I don't usually use .ISO files. I like being able to open the individual .VOB files and edit if I want.

.ISO is nice if you download a lot of stuff, but other than that, there isn't any real advantage that I can see

[ybeard]

Why would someone rather have an ISO image? Personally, I frequently use something like Alcohol 120% to mount the ISO image while on my hard drive and can test the image out before actually burning it and creating a coaster. I can also access the ISO image much faster if on hard disk than if on a burned DVD.

[yoda313]

Well I can see the advantage for making multiple copies of the same disc. Just point to one file. Though of course its not any harder to point to the video_ts folder either.

I would say its mostly preference.

[Capmaster]

test the image out before actually burning it and creating a coaster

Good point.

At one time I was extremely busy capping and authoring from VHS to DVD, hence my username

One habit I got into was test viewing the DVD before burning, to check for lip sync. This was in the days when the cheapest DVD was $1.50 and typically $3 for the good stuff. I didn't want any more coasters than necessary.

And, since old habits are hard to break, I got into the habit of always using video_ts folders. It takes no longer to burn than .ISO images, and it lets you go in with any player app and view it.

[hech54]

One habit I got into was test viewing the DVD before burning, to check for lip sync.

Stop watching those Milli Vanilli videos....that will rot your brain.

[usually_quiet]

If you have a standalone DVD recorder, the free version of IsoBuster can be a very useful tool, although you probably won't need to use it often. I have used it to extract video (as .tao files) from unfinalized discs, sometimes even discs that had a defect which caused them to fail while recording, or which contained file errors that prevented other programs I have from reading them. After that, I use other tools, VobEdit (for demuxing the .tao file) and Cuttermaran (for editing), to isolate the video I want to salvage.

[MOVIEGEEK]

ISO files contain all the information from a disc including boot files so they are needed for OS utilities,etc.In the early days of CD burning all burn software required image files such as bin and cue files.
Today it's a preferance.

[classfour]

My main reason for using an .iso image for dvd video is simple: To burn with DVDDecryptor.
This also ensures the file located on the hard drive will be consistent with every burn when doing multiple burns. I do also use alcohol on occasion for burning, but not as much as DVDDecryptor. While I have Nero, I have seen where others have issues and problems using it for file burns.

[Capmaster]

One habit I got into was test viewing the DVD before burning, to check for lip sync.

Stop watching those Milli Vanilli videos....that will rot your brain.

Who told you ?....

[redwudz]

I just use VLC to play ISO videos. It will also play BIN video files without extracting them first. I don't particularly like ISO files, but I use them at times to convert a VIDEO_TS file on my hard drive to ISO so FairUse Wizard will accept it for Xvid encoding.

[FulciLives]

@Capmaster

I thought you haven't posted here in ages and yet here you are?!?!?

I'm confused?!?!?

Anyways as far as an ISO IMAGE FILE goes ... in the "old" days you had to make an ISO IMAGE FILE if you wanted to burn with DVD Decrypter or the early version of ImgBurn. Frankly that is the best way to burn a DVD Video.

I still create and then burn using ISO IMAGE FILES with the newest ImgBurn although I understand the newest version of ImgBurn can burn from a DVD FOLDER (i.e., VIDEO_TS FOLDER) without making an image first but truth be told I never bothered to learn how to do that LOL

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MOVIEGEEK]

@FulciLives:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1556862#1556862

[lenti_75]

1. you have 1 file only...perfect for uploading/downloading
2. you just burn it on a cd OR use other software to rip it like magiciso or isobuster.
3. this is the way for a BOOTABLE cd or dvd....

[FulciLives]

@FulciLives:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1556862#1556862

OK I see now ... it's funny because I have been using ImgBurn to create an ISO IMAGE FILE but I guess I never "played around" with it enough to see what you are talking about.

I'll probably give it a try but I still feel more "comfortable" making an ISO IMAGE FILE first. Old habits die hard

- John "FulciLives" Coleman