Disc Imaging

[disk imijing] /dɪsk /ˈɪmɪdʒɪŋ

The process of creating a bit-for-bit, sector-level copy of a physical disc (e.g., CD, DVD, Blu‑ray, floppy, Zip, hard drive) into a single file (an “image”) that preserves the disc’s content, structure and metadata exactly as it exists on the original media. In libraries and archives, disc imaging is used to stabilise at-risk media, reduce handling of originals, retain authenticity and enable future access (including emulation) without depending on aging drives or software.