The images are the perfect solution in those days, when the Internet was not available everywhere. It was the easiest way to copy the license disk.
CONTENT
- 1 Details about the MDF format
- 2 Similarities and differences between MDF and MDS files
- 3 The MDF-open a file on Mac OS X
- 4 How to open MDF file on Android
Details about the MDF format
Stands MDF, as a Media Descriptor File, and is a disk image file. This standard was developed by Alcohol Soft Development Team, the same one who wrote the Alcohol 120%. The main difference between this type of format - Support for multi-layer, which is relevant for a range of DVD, has several layers for recording.
Similarities and differences between MDF and MDS files
Actually, there are no differences between the formats can not be. MDS - an addition to the MDF format. It can be supplied with the MDF, and perhaps separately. MDS usually carries a variety of proprietary information - layers of data, metadata and files to protect the disc from being copied.
Programs to work with the contents of MDF-images on Windows
In order to correctly read the contents of the images, you need some kind of shell program that knows how to handle the presentation format.
Alcohol 120%
First on the list there is a program, for which, in fact, the format and developed. It is very versatile, as it can create disk images, as well as burn them to a "compact" all known formats - from CD to Blu-ray. Another key feature of it is the creation of virtual drives - emulation of real devices for the CD-ROM drive. They can download the known image files and use them just like a real drive.
Why is the program called "Alcohol", still wondering many users.
Daemon Tools
This is probably one of the most popular tools for creating virtual drives that can read different formats of images. The list of formats is very impressive. This includes the parsed MDF us. Daemon Tools is better known as a program for reading images. However, she is able to create them. In this case, it has the ability to bypass various defense mechanisms - SecuROM, StarForce and the like. Several versions of the program - for different levels of customers: from domestic use (Lite) to Ultra.
Daemon Tools - one of the pioneers of utilities for reading images.
UltraISO
Also quite popular program that is primarily focused on working with ISO images. But in fact, the list of readable file formats is very large. Among them are our MDF. Basic functionality - reading and editing image files. She also knows how to create them. A distinctive feature is the ability to create boot disks and flash drives.
Initially, the program was created as an editor and reader of the most common images - ISO.
PowerISO
At its core, it is a clone UltraISO, although it has slightly less functionality. The list of formats is not so wide - ISO, BIN, NRG, CDI and MDF. Interestingly, the program has its own format images with a very high-quality and efficient compression algorithm «DAA». However, the standard is not as popular among the main tools of this type.
For some reason, the program did not become as popular as its counterparts.
The MDF-open a file on Mac OS X
Since Mac OS based on Unix, you can open it, mount to the system by regular means. However, out of the box MDF files can not be opened and they will have to convert. This can be done using AnyToISO utility. It is able to convert any image format you want us to ISO. Then you just need to mount it with standard tools Mac.
To deal with the program easy.
How to open MDF file on Android
Programs to drive emulation for reading images on Android is not. However, it is possible to extract all the files from the archive using a simple ISO Extractor program. The program is free and available in the Google Play Store app. In addition to the MDF format, application support and a bunch of other related formats. It is worth noting the program's ability to convert image files to the standard ISO. This is the easiest way to open MDF on smartphones running Android.
about the author
Vladimir Puzrin
I try a creative approach to writing reviews and conduct research publications threads so glad to new readers of our portal.
