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IFO BUP
File conversion

Convert IFO to BUP

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 15, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert IFO to BUP?
Yes - IFO converts to BUP.

Copy the .ifo file in File Explorer and rename the copy's extension to .bup - no converter is needed. The BUP serves as a fallback that DVD players read when the IFO sector is unreadable.

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert IFO to BUP?

The DVD-Video specification requires every IFO navigation file to have a matching BUP backup. Both files contain identical content; the only difference is the extension and which the player reads first. The most common reason to create a BUP from an IFO is to replace a missing or deleted BUP in a VIDEO_TS folder.

How to convert IFO to BUP

Windows File Explorer FREE

Copy the .ifo file and rename the copy's extension to .bup - for example, VTS_01_0.IFO becomes VTS_01_0.BUP. No third-party software is needed.

Terminal FREE

Run cp VIDEO_TS.IFO VIDEO_TS.BUP in Terminal inside the VIDEO_TS folder; repeat for each IFO/BUP pair that is missing.

About these formats

.IFO DVD-Video Information File (navigation)

An IFO file is the navigation file inside a DVD's VIDEO_TS folder. It stores menus, chapter points, and audio/subtitle track maps but contains no video - the video lives in the VOB files.…

Open .IFO details →
.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 →

Quality & what to watch

  • Naming must match exactly - VTS_01_0.IFO backs up to VTS_01_0.BUP; a mismatched filename means the player will not find the backup.
  • Both IFO and BUP contain only navigation data (menus, chapter pointers, audio/subtitle maps); neither holds video, so recreating a BUP does not affect playback quality.
  • The reverse also works: if an IFO is corrupted, copy the BUP and rename it to the IFO filename to restore navigation.

Frequently asked questions

Is there any difference between the IFO and BUP contents?
No - by the DVD-Video specification they are byte-for-byte identical; the only difference is the file extension.
Do I need special software?
No - copy the IFO file in File Explorer and rename the copy's extension from .ifo to .bup.
Why would a BUP file be missing?
Some DVD ripping tools or manual file operations omit or delete the BUP; the disc still plays but loses its fallback if the IFO is damaged.