.MDS File

File extension mds is primarily associated with Alcohol 120%. An MDS file is an optional media descriptor file that can be generated when you create a disc image from a CD or DVD. The format is a binary file with the ASCII identifying characters "MEDIA DESCRIPTOR" appearing in the beginning of the file.

A typical .mds file contains metadata about the original media, specifically the position of the layer breaks or layer breach bit, a property of the copy protection feature of many DVDs. An MDS file is then used in conjunction with its related disc image (MDF) to re-create the DVD.

MDS file can be created by optical disc imaging applications. The MDS file format is mainly used by the Alcohol 120% application, but some other disk and emulation tools are using it. Its a favourite image format for backup exact copies of original game disc.

If you were interested in MDS file, you might have been also interested in MDF file format.

Files with mds extension can be typically found as one of the auxiliary files for Alcohol 120% disk images. This type of mds files contains additional metadata that are used to better emulate MDF disk images.  

How to open:

The MDS (media descriptor file) is important file used to open MDF images. Without the MDF file, it serves no purpose as it does not hold the image data.

How to convert:

You cannot convert *.mds files to anything else. However it can be used when a MDF file is being converted.