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BUP MKV
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Convert BUP to MKV

Can you convert BUP to MKV?
Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 8, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert BUP to MKV?
No - not a direct conversion.

You cannot convert a .bup to .mkv because the .bup contains no media content. To get an MKV from a DVD backup, use MakeMKV or HandBrake on the full VIDEO_TS folder - not on the .bup file alone.

No direct path
Also to MKV: USM · TP · MPEG4

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert BUP to MKV?

A .bup (DVD IFO Backup File) is a byte-for-byte copy of the matching .ifo navigation file, mandated by the 1996 DVD-Video specification. .mkv is an EBML-based multimedia container (IETF RFC 8794, 2020). Since a .bup contains no video or audio streams, no conversion tool can produce an MKV from it - the DVD video lives in the .vob files of the same VIDEO_TS folder.

How to convert BUP to MKV

MakeMKV FREE

Open the VIDEO_TS folder in MakeMKV to package the VOB streams into one or more MKV files losslessly, with all audio tracks and subtitles preserved.

HandBrake FREE

Use HandBrake's Open Source option and point it at the VIDEO_TS folder to encode the DVD to MKV with your choice of codec.

Programs that convert BUP

Wondershare Video Converter

About these formats

.BUP DVD IFO Backup File

A BUP file is part of every DVD-Video disc - it is an exact backup copy of the matching IFO navigation file, stored in the VIDEO_TS folder. It contains no video, so you cannot play or…

Open .BUP details →
.MKV Matroska Video

An MKV file is a Matroska multimedia container that holds video, multiple audio tracks, subtitles and chapters in one file. Open it for free with VLC media player, or on Windows 11 with the…

Open .MKV details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The actual video lives in the .vob files in the VIDEO_TS folder - the .bup and .ifo are read only for chapter and title structure.
  • Keep the .bup, .ifo, and .vob files together until conversion is complete; MakeMKV and HandBrake need the navigation files to split titles correctly.
  • If your .ifo is missing, copy the matching .bup and rename the copy to .ifo before running MakeMKV or HandBrake.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rename a `.bup` to `.mkv`?
No - renaming only changes the extension; the file still contains DVD navigation tables, and any player trying to parse it as an MKV container will fail.
Do I need the BUP files to convert my DVD backup to MKV?
Not if your .ifo files are intact; MakeMKV and HandBrake use the IFO for chapter structure, with the BUP as a fallback only if the IFO is damaged.
My IFO file is missing - can the BUP replace it?
Yes - copy VIDEO_TS.BUP and rename the copy to VIDEO_TS.IFO; the contents are identical by specification, restoring full disc navigation.