What's the easiest way to make an ISO?

[cangri1788]

i want an easy method on how to make an ISO

[jonc2006]

http://forums.ngemu.com/misc-psx-discussion/34515-how-make-perfect-backup-psx-games.html.

never use .iso format, use either .bin/.cue, .ccd/.img/.sub, or mdf/mds.

edit- just so you know, sometimes mounting the image you have onto a virtual drive can fix certain issues. this doesnt happen often so mounting it isnt always needed but remember this if you ever run into a problem such as an image not starting up correctly.

[Coredo]

never use .iso format, use either .bin/.cue (raw type), .ccd/.img/.sub, or mdf/mds.

Mind if I ask why not?

[Squall-Leonhart]

Mind if I ask why not?

doesn't contain subchannel, copyprotection, or audio track information.

[hushypushy]

Never is perhaps too strong; keep in mind that many (most?) games don't have anything to do with subchannel, copy protection, or audio track information.

[Squall-Leonhart]

you'd be surprised just what using one of the other formats, over ISO can do.

[Coredo]

Well that sure is a major bummer cause I just finished converting all my .bin games to .iso format a few days ago, thought it was a better one. -_- Took like half a day.

Is it safe to convert a game file several times btw? There's no strange data loss or anything like that, right?

[Squall-Leonhart]

you should never convert between formats, unless there is no other way around it.

[Coredo]

Why? Thus far all the games have worked fine... What's wrong with converting all games to the same format if you want to? It's fairly easy and quick too.

[Squall-Leonhart]

because theres no guarantee of the accuracy of the conversion.... making a 1:1 backup is at best only 97% accurate.

[hushypushy]

you'd be surprised just what using one of the other formats, over ISO can do.

Oh yeah? Surprise me then.

Keep in mind that I already know about subchannel data (with regards to copy protection and otherwise) and cuesheet files (for audio, etc). As mentioned in my previous post, there are plenty (hundreds) of games that have no use for these things.

[Squall-Leonhart]

well for one, ISO doesn't store files in the same TOC location as the other 2 formats

[hushypushy]

and that would affect gameplay...how?

I'm well aware of the differences between image formats and if you want to know, lately I've been using ISObuster exclusively to make bin/cue images. I'm not recommending .iso and I'm not saying it's better. My point is, however, that for an overwhelming amount of "normal" games...the format doesn't really matter.

[cangri1788]

I just found an easier way to create an Iso, just downloaded ImgBurn and got the image of the disc quickly and thats all, no need to follow all that steps, but thanks anyways :)

[jonc2006]

and that would affect gameplay...how?

I'm well aware of the differences between image formats and if you want to know, lately I've been using ISObuster exclusively to make bin/cue images. I'm not recommending .iso and I'm not saying it's better. My point is, however, that for an overwhelming amount of "normal" games...the format doesn't really matter.

yeah but for the few multi track games that are out there that is the last format you would want to use. thankfully there are not too many of them, i dont even have any myself from what i know, but its something you at the very least need to be aware in the event you do find one. i only suggest staying away from that format as a way to prevent it from even having the chance to become an issue, its one less thing you have to worry about from causing trouble even if you dont ever run into a multi track game.

[emurex]

check to see if there is audio tracks. if no audio track is availabe then you can make an iso. if yes then you must do a cue+bin and mds+mdf.

[Squall-Leonhart]

check to see if there is audio tracks. if no audio track is availabe then you can make an iso. if yes then you must do a cue+bin and mds+mdf.

not necessarily..... some things aren't visible in this way....

[maurocds]

i have just everything on nrg (nero), and works nice with daemon tools, even dance dance revo with music tracks in epsxe 1.7

[Squall-Leonhart]

nrg is like the MDF format.

[NEOSEPHIROTH]

alcohol 120 % makes perfect back up with sub channel data sountrack the works... aswell as clone cd

[Galway no Sora]

I'm not sure about others, but I don't want to get troubled by using other programs rather than CloneCD and Alcohol 120%. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[jonc2006]

any program listed in this (http://forums.ngemu.com/misc-psx-discussion/34515-how-make-perfect-backup-psx-games.html) thread will work fine for the most part.