When you download files and movies from the Internet, some had "weird" / non common (.iso, .avi) extensions - .bin (standing for binary), .cue (that is a complementary files to a binary file; that should absolutely come with a .bin file to allow you to play the binary file), .cdd/.cdi, .bwt, .mdf/ .mds. These files cannot be opened/ played with mainstream utilities such as Windows Media Player or Real Networks Real One. For most asked questions about such files click here
So what to do to make use of such files that have weird extensions?
You have to turn to so called
Virtual Drive that emulates computer's CD/DVD-ROM drive, and enables you to run CD & DVD programs directly from your hard drive without the use of the physical CD/DVD-ROM drive or the actual disc.
These virtual drives are much more convenient, reliable and quicker than physical ones. Their speed is ten times faster than the the best physical CD/DVD-ROMs. They are silent, consume no power and don't take time for CD swapping and speeding-up.
For anyone who deals with CD/DVD-based programs - it is a must have.
- MOST POPULAR SOFTWARE TO CREATE MULTIPLE VIRTUAL DVD DRIVES
Virtual Drives software do not replace your regular CD burning software. They only create virtual CD and DVD on your hard disk. That is a tremendous asset for road warriors (or home surfers) that could make copies of games and movies to the hard disk to play straight with the virtual disk). You do not need to "shuffle" or transport piles of CD and DVD disks - and do not need a physical DVD or CD player to enjoy music, games and movies. Installing Virtual Drives on your system, you minimize the possibilities to damage your original CDs and DVDs.
There are two popular virtual drive creating software around: (1) Daemon Tools and (2) Alcohol 120%.
The first one is a freeware. The second a shareware.
If you choose Daemon Tools,
you have the possibility to mount up to 5 virtual drives.
One important limitation with Alcohol 120% is that you can only run your virtual drives from within the Alcohol menu. If you browse to the folder using Windows Explorer you will see the files but won't be able to run them.
Daemon Tools is bundled with an Adware. The programmer make it clear that they chose that option to keep the utility as a freeware.
So choosing Daemon Tools, you have to opt in to willingly install an adware on your system. This adware (that I tested on my system) would not harm your computer but some components dll (dynamic library links) are signaled by most Anti-Virus Software as a virus and adware/ spyware - labeled"Moderate" by Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta.
Depending on which antyspaware, anti-virus and anti-adware utility you use, you may configure them to accept Daemon Tools attached adware as a "guest".
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YOU NEED SPECIFIC PLAYERS TO USE MOVIES FILES MOUNTED ON VIRTUAL DRIVES
Click here to visit a portalthat had posted about anything you wish or should know about DVD player CD-R, DVD-R and so on.
You will need specific media players to make use of files you inserted into virtual drives. One of the best are Intervideo WinDVD family (shareware) and an excellent freeware: VLC media player
You will also need - if you are a fan movies downloader - A Movie Manager / Catalogue to manage downloaded files.
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