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MDS BIN
File conversion

Convert MDS to BIN

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 15, 2026
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Is it possible to convert MDS to BIN?
Yes - MDS converts to BIN.

UltraISO, ISOBuster, and PowerISO can all read an MDS/MDF image and output a .bin file with a matching .cue track sheet. Both the .mds and .mdf must share the same base name and be in the same folder before starting.

5 programs
Also to BIN: B64 · XDELTA · HEX

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert MDS to BIN?

BIN/CUE is more widely supported by emulators (particularly for PlayStation 1 titles) and burning tools than MDS/MDF. Unlike .iso, BIN/CUE can represent multi-track layouts, CD-audio tracks, and mixed-mode discs, making it the correct target for audio CDs and multi-session game discs that ISO would strip.

How to convert MDS to BIN

UltraISO APP

Go to File > Open and select the .mds; then Tools > Convert, choose Standard (BIN) as the output format, select a destination, and click Convert. UltraISO writes both a .bin and a matching .cue.

ISOBuster FREE

Open the .mds via File > Open Image File, right-click the disc icon, choose Extract > Extract Image in BIN/CUE, pick a destination folder, and confirm.

PowerISO APP

Go to Tools > Convert, select the .mds as the source, set the output format to BIN, choose a destination, and click OK.

Programs that convert MDS

Blindwrite
ISOBuster
MagicISO
PowerISO
UltraIso

About these formats

.MDS Media Descriptor Sidecar (Alcohol 120% / DAEMON Tools disc image)

An MDS file is the small descriptor half of an Alcohol 120% or DAEMON Tools disc image. It holds track layout and copy-protection data, while the actual disc content sits in a paired .mdf…

Open .MDS details →
.BIN CD/DVD Disc Image (BIN/CUE)

A BIN file is most often a raw, sector-by-sector copy of a CD or DVD that ships with a matching .cue text file describing the tracks. Mount it with PowerISO or DAEMON Tools Lite (point them…

Open .BIN details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Both the .mds and .mdf must be present with matching base names - the .mds is a descriptor only and contains no disc sector data.
  • BIN/CUE preserves multi-track, CD-audio, and mixed-mode layouts that a plain ISO would discard; for PlayStation 1 games and audio CDs this distinction matters.
  • Low-level copy-protection data partially survives in the raw 2352-byte BIN sectors but whether that matters depends entirely on your use case.

Frequently asked questions

Why get a BIN file instead of an ISO?
BIN/CUE handles multi-track discs and CD-audio tracks that ISO cannot; for emulators targeting audio CDs or PlayStation 1 discs, BIN is the more faithful format.
What happens to the .cue file?
The .cue is a plain-text track sheet that describes the disc layout; it is always produced alongside the .bin and both files are required together.
Can I convert without the .mdf?
No - the .mdf holds all disc sector data. Without it no tool can produce any output.