Isodump

Isodump is a handy tool that helps you extract an iso9660 image from an infile, which by default is set to /dev/cdrom. The output goes to an outfile, and if you don’t specify one, it’ll show up in the stdout. The size of the image comes directly from the image itself using its primary descriptor block. Just a heads up, if your infile points to a CDROM, you can only read the first data track because Isodump relies on read(2) calls.

How to Use Isodump

If you're looking to rip tracks beyond the first one from a CD, you’ll want to use cddaread(1). One cool feature of Isodump is that it can also convert images created by other programs like CloneCD, which sometimes don’t produce valid iso9660 images (these are loop device mountable). The great thing? It automatically detects the input format!

Working with XA Images

Now, when it comes to XA images, they can’t be detected just by reading the first block. For those cases, make sure you use the -x flag. Don't worry if you forget; Isodump will give you a nudge!

Running Isodump

The command usage looks like this: isodump [options] [file]. If you're curious about more details, check out the manual page.

A Bit About Isodump

Isodump is part of a group of simple iso9660 utilities (you might see them named iso*). It uses iso9660.h, which comes from Eric Youngdale's mkisofs package. Just so you know, there’s also an unrelated program called isodump.c, made by Eric Youngdale as well. That one lists or extracts what’s inside an iso9660 image or CD.

Your First Steps with Isodump

Ready to get started? First run:

./configure

Then follow up with:

make

If you're looking to compile and install everything (you’ll need root access for this), go ahead and run:

make install

You might need to tweak some Makefile entries like INSTALLDIR_??? if necessary.

Options You Can Use with Isodump

• -a Extract all data available until EOF.


• -h Print this info to stdout and exit successfully.


• -p Don’t pad the image if it's too small.


• -v Increase verbosity level on stderr.


• -x Specify XA image and set block offset to 24.


• -H Print 80 hash marks on stderr.


• -V Show version and compilation info on stdout before exiting successfully.