Disc image formats
Disc Image Formats (.bin/.cue) Explained
When you dump a game you own, the result is a disc image: a file-based copy of the original CD. The most common format for PlayStation preservation is the .bin/.cue pair. Understanding what each file does helps you keep your images organized and avoid the most frequent loading problems.
The Two Files
| File | Holds |
|---|---|
| .bin | The raw disc data, sector by sector |
| .cue | A small text sheet describing the track layout |
The .bin is the bulk of the disc, a faithful binary dump. The .cue is a short companion file that tells software where each track begins, how many tracks exist, and which are data versus CD audio.
Why Both Matter
The .cue gives meaning to the .bin. Without it, a tool sees one undifferentiated blob and cannot tell game data from music. This is why ODEs and burners ask you to point at the .cue rather than the .bin directly.
Keep Them Together
A .cue references its .bin by filename. Keep the pair in the same folder and avoid renaming one without the other.
- Some games split into multiple .bin tracks, each listed in the .cue.
- CD audio tracks appear in the .cue as separate entries.
- If a game won't load, open the .cue in a text editor and check the filenames match.
Renaming a .bin without updating the .cue breaks the link and stops the image from mounting.