Conversion Methods

Conversion Methods

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All ISO to XISO conversion is performed in-process by the XISOSharp library. No external conversion binaries are required or bundled.

How It Works

XISOSharp repacks the game partition into an optimized XISO:

1. The XDVDFS volume descriptor is located (auto-detecting Redump/XGD partition offsets).
2. The directory tree is read and the file data is copied into a new, tightly packed XISO.
3. Gaps between files are removed, and the optimized tag is written so later runs can skip already-converted files.

What Gets Removed

• Video Partition (DVD movie/demonstration content) — ~7–387 MB removed
• End Padding (empty sectors after the last file) — variable
• System Update (optional, when Skip $SystemUpdate is enabled) — ~100–300 MB removed

Visual Comparison

Redump ISO (Original):
[Video Partition][XDVDFS: Header][Dir][File A][gap][File B][gap][File C][Padding]

XISOSharp Output:
[XDVDFS: Header][Dir][File A][File B][File C]   (gaps removed, tightly packed)
                      ^    ^    ^
                 Files repositioned for maximum compression

Features

• Smallest output size — files are packed tightly, with video partition and padding removed.
• No external tools — the conversion engine ships inside the application.
• Redump-aware — automatically detects XGD1/XGD2/XGD3 and hybrid partition offsets.
• Already-optimized files are skipped — images carrying the optimized tag are not converted again.
• Optional $SystemUpdate skipping for extra space savings.
• Optional output integrity check — the new XISO is structurally audited before being reported as successful.
• Integrated with the application's progress reporting, cancellation, and disk monitoring.

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CUE/BIN Support

Classic disc images distributed as a .cue + .bin pair are handled automatically:

1. The bundled bchunk tool converts the pair into a standard ISO.
2. The ISO is then converted to XISO with XISOSharp.

Both files must be present in the same folder with matching names.

Archive Support

.zip, .7z, and .rar archives are processed transparently:

1. The archive is extracted to a temporary folder (SharpCompress is used first; the bundled 7-Zip CLI handles complex .7z archives).
2. Any ISO inside is converted to XISO with XISOSharp.
3. Temporary files are cleaned up.

Encrypted or password-protected archives are detected up front and skipped with a clear message.