How to Open BUP Files on Windows and Mac

Copy a DVD to your computer and found a VIDEO_TS folder filled with files like BUP, IFO, and VOB? Many users think these are video files, but they’re not. That’s why double-clicking them often doesn’t work, and your player may fail to open the DVD properly. So what are these files actually for, and more importantly—how do you play or convert them into something usable like MP4?

Part 1. What is BUP File?

A BUP file is a backup file of an IFO file that has been copied from a DVD. It stores information related to the startup menu, the location of video and audio tracks, and the start of DVD chapters, etc. BUP, IFO, and VOB files can be found in a DVD Video_TS folder. Normally, you don't need to open a BUP file. But if the .IFO file on a DVD can't be opened due to damage to the disc, you can use the BUP file to retrieve the data. To open BUP files, you need a BUP file player.

BUP: the backup of IFO files in the DVD movie and it's not a video file. So you can't open BUP files directly.

IFO: the index file of the DVD which stores information like timing, region, and other data. IFO files basically contain all the information a DVD player needs to navigate and play a DVD properly.

VOB: the actual DVD video which contains the MPEG-2 video stream, audio (MP2, AC3, DTS etc.), subtitles, and menus. In order to play stand-alone VOB files, you need a DVD player software that supports VOB files.

Part 2. How to Open BUP Files using VLC?

VLC Media Player can work as a free BUP file player to open BUP files on Windows 11/10/Mac. Below are the steps to open BUP with VLC:

Step 1: Open VLC and go to the VLC menu. Click on Media, and then you need to select the Open Folder option.

Step 2: In the new window, you will have to go and select the Video_TS folder that contains the BUP files you'd like to open. Then click the button Select folder. If the BUP files are contained in a complete structure of the DVD on your hard drive or on a DVD, you can also double click the VIDEO_TS.IFO and choose VLC as the .bup file player.

VLC will then start to play the BUP files as well as the VOB videos.

If you don't like VLC or if VLC fails to open a BUP file, there are some other BUP file players that are able to open BUP files on Windows 11/10/Mac.

On Windows 11/10/8/7, try BUP file players:

• Corel WinDVD
• Nero ShowTime
• PowerDVD
• 5KPlayer
• Windows DVD Maker - available only for Windows version prior Windows 8

On MacOS, try BUP file players:

• Apple DVD Studio Pro
• Roxio Popcorn
• 5KPlayer

Part 3. Best BUP File Player for Windows & Mac

BUP files cannot be opened directly because they are part of a DVD structure, so you need a BUP file player that can read the full VIDEO_TS folder and play DVD content properly.

Windows BUP File Players

• Corel WinDVD – A dedicated DVD player that can open VIDEO_TS folders and smoothly play DVD content including BUP-linked structures.
• Nero ShowTime – Supports DVD playback by reading DVD folder structures, allowing BUP-related DVD content to be played
• PowerDVD – A premium media player designed for DVD and Blu-ray playback, capable of handling BUP-based DVD navigation systems.
• 5KPlayer – A free multimedia player that can open DVD folders and play BUP-related DVD content with basic playback support.
• Windows DVD Maker – Older Windows tool that can play DVD folder structures, including BUP files, on legacy systems prior to Windows 8.

macOS BUP File Players

• Apple DVD Studio Pro – Professional DVD tool on macOS that supports DVD structure playback, including BUP and IFO navigation files.
• Roxio Popcorn – DVD playback and conversion software that can read VIDEO_TS folders and play DVDs containing BUP file structures.
• 5KPlayer – Cross-platform media player that allows macOS users to open DVD folders and play BUP-based DVD content easily.

Part 4. How to Convert BUP Files to MP4 for Easier Playback?

Why do so many users fail to open BUP files on Windows 11/10 or other systems? The most common reason is the lack of suitable BUP file players that support BUP files installed on the system. BUP files may also become susceptible to malware infections or improper copying, both of which can prevent a user from opening BUP files correctly. To address these challenges, one can opt to convert the VIDEO_TS folders containing BUP files into MP4 video format. Then you can play them BUP files on almost all devices and platforms.

WinX DVD Ripper can convert VIDEO_TS folders (BUP files) to MP4, MPEG4, AVI, WMV, MOV, and more formats. Then you can play the BUP files on TVs, computers, mobiles, game consoles, and other devices and programs without problems.

Step 1. Open WinX DVD Ripper and click the "+Folder" button on the top menu bar of the main interface to select and open the Video_TS folder that includes the BUP files you'd like to open.

Step 2. On the output profile, choose a format that your device supports. In most cases, you can convert bup files to MP4 as it's supported by almost all devices and platforms.

Step 3. Click the "Browse" button next to the field of Destination Folder to specify a save path for the resulting file.

Step 4. Hit the "Run" button to begin converting DVD BUP files to MP4 on Windows 11/10/Mac. Then you can play and open the BUP files on any device easily.

Final Words

In most cases, you don't need to open an individual BUP file. If you do need to open the BUP files, there are VLC and other players to help. But if no apps can open the BUP files, try to convert the BUP, VOB, and IFO files into MP4 videos.

FAQ about BUP Files