daemon-tools
Daemon tools is one of the best Virtual Drive software you can get for FREE. It supports most CD/DVD image formats as ISO, BIN, CUE, DAA, MDS and NRG.
It also support multiple virtual drives which comes neat in some scenarios :).
And please DO install the LITE version the PRO one does not have anything worth a dime :)
File Extensions
that each application can open are listed belowDAA
DAA stands for Direct Access Archive which is like a ISO but it has some advance features like compression and password protection. It was created by PowerISO so its recommended that you use this program to open it... but as its not free I recommed using Daemon tools which can create a virtual Drive to Mount this file and use it as a regular CD/DVD.
So, if you want to pay use PowerISO if you dont use Daemon tools, I leave the choice to you :P
ISO
ISO is one of the most popular and old Disc image formats. It was created to create a byte by byte copy of a CD data (still not a perfect copy bit by bit but a copy of the whole data of a CD/DVD).
It is supported by most CD/DVD image software and CD/DVD recorders like Nero and Roxio CD-Recorder.
For this one if you want to record the image to a CD/DVD I would recommend the software that your CD/DVD recorder come with but in case you just wanna see what is inside I must recommend Daemon Tools by far
NRG
NRG are CD/DVD Images created with Nero, Nero is a cd/recorder, in fact one of the most well know CD/DVD recorder you can use. Most CD/DVD recorder comes with a free version of Nero or Roxio CD Creator.
Try the FREE version of Nero that you can Download from their website now and let us know what you think of it!
CUE
CUE is not a "real" file its contents are only the CD/DVD image description of a BIN file which holds the actual information, the actual image or copy of the CD.
Most software automatically recognizes the Binary File information just using the .BIN file but in case your application does not you will need both files, the .CUE and the .BIN to open it.
Among many other Nero and Daemon tools are the best ones to open this files, if you want to record it to a CD then use Nero if you just want to check it/ install and play use Daemon Tools.
One final Note, when you Install Daemon tools DO NOT CHECK THE OPTION TO INSTALL THE TOOLBAR ITS A VERY BAD APPLICATION!
