What is the DVD file format?
A .dvd file is a small control and index descriptor created by CloneDVD, the disc-copying tool originally developed by Elaborate Bytes and distributed by SlySoft. It is not a self-contained disc image - the file itself holds only a lightweight project record that points CloneDVD to the ripped DVD-Video data stored alongside it.
When CloneDVD rips a disc, it extracts the video structure into a VIDEO_TS folder containing .VOB video objects, .IFO navigation files, and .BUP backup copies, then writes a .dvd descriptor to track that layout. The descriptor lets CloneDVD re-read the project and burn or transcode the content to fit a single-layer disc. Actual playable video data lives in those companion files, not in .dvd itself.
The format is proprietary and undocumented. No fixed magic bytes have been published, so most tools identify it by file extension alone. The encoding is binary, little-endian, and the descriptor typically occupies only a few kilobytes while the referenced VIDEO_TS tree spans multiple gigabytes.
SlySoft, which distributed CloneDVD worldwide from Antigua, shut down in February 2016. RedFox acquired the software rights and continues CloneDVD under that name. For portable, tool-agnostic archiving, most users today prefer a standard .ISO disc image that packages everything into one file.
To open or burn a .dvd project, use CloneDVD (RedFox) or ImgBurn. VLC can play the underlying VIDEO_TS content but does not parse the .dvd descriptor directly.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMThe .dvd descriptor is passive data and not executable. The real cautions are legal and tooling: copying commercial DVDs typically requires circumventing CSS copy protection (via AnyDVD), which is legally restricted in many countries (e.g. the US DMCA) - make backups only of discs you own where permitted. Tool-wise, SlySoft is defunct (use RedFox), and ImgBurn's official installer historically bundles potentially unwanted programs - choose Custom/Advanced install and decline the extra offers. Avoid 'free CloneDVD' repack sites, which are a common malware vector.
Format details
in a nutshell- Generic DVD-Video reference / playlist - Some players and tools use a small .dvd text/control file to point at a VIDEO_TS folder for playback.
- CyberLink PowerDVD / other disc-tool descriptors - Various DVD authoring/playback apps have used .dvd for their own project or pointer files.
Programs that open DVD files
Windows3 apps
VLC media player
Open-source To WATCH the content, open the associated VIDEO_TS folder in VLC (Media > Open Disc / Open Folder). VLC plays DVD-Video without needing the .dvd descriptor. 
ImgBurn
Free Burn the associated DVD-Video data (VIDEO_TS) or a disc image to a blank DVD. (Note: ImgBurn's bundled installer offers PUPs - choose Custom install and decline extras.) 
CloneDVD (RedFox)
Paid Open the .dvd project in CloneDVD to re-burn or copy the DVD. Original SlySoft builds are unsupported since 2016 - use the RedFox successor. 
macOS1 app
VLC media player
Open-source Play the associated VIDEO_TS folder to watch the content; the .dvd descriptor itself is a Windows/CloneDVD artifact. 
Linux1 app
Technical details
deep spec| File role | Control and index descriptor that records the DVD-Video structure; points to companion files rather than containing playable video itself |
| Encoding | Binary, little-endian |
| Developer | Elaborate Bytes (original author) / SlySoft (distributor); rights acquired by RedFox after SlySoft shut down in February 2016 |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (no format-specific MIME type registered) |
| Magic bytes | None publicly documented; applications identify the file by its .dvd extension alone |
| Descriptor file size | Typically a few kilobytes |
| Referenced data size | The VIDEO_TS tree the descriptor points to typically spans 4-8 GB per DVD title |
| Platform | Windows only; CloneDVD has no native macOS or Linux release |
| Companion files | VIDEO_TS folder containing .VOB video objects, .IFO navigation files, and .BUP backup copies |
| Copy protection | Descriptor itself is unencrypted; CSS-protected source discs require AnyDVD (the paired decryption tool) during ripping |
| Video specification | DVD-Video (MPEG-2); 720×480 pixels NTSC or 720×576 pixels PAL in the referenced VOB content |
| Audio specification | AC-3 (Dolby Digital) or uncompressed PCM at 48 kHz in the companion VOB files |
| Transcoding | CloneDVD can re-encode and compress MPEG-2 video on the fly to fit content onto a single-layer 4.7 GB disc |
| Internal format version | CloneDVD 2.x project format; internal structure is proprietary and not publicly documented |
| Portability | Low - descriptor may embed machine-specific paths; ISO disc images are the preferred portable alternative |
| Released | early 2000s (CloneDVD by Elaborate Bytes / Olli; distributed by SlySoft) |
| Latest version | CloneDVD 2 era; SlySoft ceased operations 2016, software continued via RedFox |
DVD conversions
Community Q&A
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