The MDF and MDS File Extensions
Numerous formats are used when copying, burning or virtually mounting a disc image on a computer. Some, like the International Organization for Standardization format, are supported by many programs. Others, such as MDF, are proprietary formats used with a compatible program. MDF was developed to work with Alcohol Soft's Alcohol 120%, an optical disc authoring program and disk image emulator. The MDS file extension is part of Alcohol 120%'s format and is needed to use a file with the MDF extension.
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Media Disc Image Files
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The MDF file format was devised by Alcohol Soft for its Alcohol 120% disc authoring program. These files are CD or DVD images, a copy of the data from a CD or DVD. An MDF disc image, like ISO disc images, is a sector-by-sector direct copy of the disk data. This means that it can be burned onto another CD to make an exact copy or mounted as a virtual drive so that the image file itself can run directly. The MDF is only half of the equation, however, containing the data from the disc but not any header or track information.
Media Descriptor Files
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MDS files are the other vital components in MDF disc images. While an MDF contains the actual data, the corresponding MDS file organizes the data. MDS files contain all format information from the CD or DVD, including the extremely important header information. The header information defines the tracks for the disc and how the data is organized, recorded and recognized. Essentially, the MDF is the building material and the MDS file is the blueprint to make a complete, functional disc image.
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Compatible Programs
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The MDF-and-MDS combination is a proprietary format of Alcohol 120% and naturally works well with it. However, Alcohol 120% is not the only program that can run MDF-MDS combinations. CyberLink PowerDVD 10 Mark II, MagicISO, Smart Projects IsoBuster, DT Soft DAEMON Tools and WinMount International are all compatible with MDF and MDS files. In addition, Lightning UK! ImgBurn, EZB Systems UltraISO and DVD Shrink work with MDS, but not MDF, files.
Use
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MDF and MDS files are primarily used to mount a disc image as a virtual drive or to make exactly copies of a disc. In the end, these files can be used to back up an entire library of CDs or DVDs by creating exact, burnable digital copies that can be stored safely away until they are needed. This is the default format in Alcohol 120%, as Alcohol Soft developed the format for use in its disc image authoring software and for licensed use in other programs.
Other Uses of MDF
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A handful of other programs use the MDF file extension for their files, which are unrelated to the Alcohol 120% files. Microsoft's MySQL uses MDF as a SQL database file, while SDL Trados uses MDF to support faster data lookup in its translation software. Vector CANape, CANgraph and CANdito use the MDF extension for storing measurement data for the automotive industry.
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