bchunk

bchunk is a command-line utility for converting CD images into ISO and CDR tracks. It suits users who already work with BIN/CUE images and are comfortable building or installing software from source. Its focused conversion options are useful, but it is not a general-purpose disc authoring interface.

Overview

bchunk takes a .bin image, a .cue index describing track types and offsets, and an output basename. It converts BIN/CUE or RAW/CUE inputs into ISO and CDR outputs, with additional options for audio and MODE2/2352 tracks. This makes it a practical fit for targeted image conversion rather than broader disc management.

The README identifies the program as binchunker version 1.2.2 and describes building it with make and installing with make install. The project is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or any later version at the user's option. Its changelog records fixes in version 1.2.2 for a heap-based buffer overflow and for a null access violation and crash caused by malformed CUE files.

Key features

• ISO and CDR conversion: bchunk converts CD image tracks from BIN/CUE or RAW/CUE into ISO and CDR formats. That narrow scope is valuable when the job is converting an existing image, but does not make it a full disc-burning workflow.
• WAV audio output: The -w option writes audio tracks as WAV files. For audio samples whose byte order needs swapping, -s provides that adjustment.
• MODE2/2352 handling: The -p option processes tracks in PSX mode and outputs 2336 bytes from offset 0. The -r option instead writes raw MODE2/2352 tracks, taking 2352 bytes from offset 0. The distinction gives users two specific output paths for this track format.

Pricing

bchunk is free software under the GNU GPL, version 2 or later, with a listed price of $0. There is no trial to manage and no paid plan to weigh against the core utility. The trade-off is a command-line workflow and a build-and-install process described in the README, rather than a priced, packaged plan.

Platforms

bchunk is available for Linux and macOS. The project describes building from source with make and installing with make install, so it fits users on those systems who can work with that process. It is not a match for someone who needs a listed Windows option.

Who it's for

Choose bchunk if you need to convert BIN/CUE or RAW/CUE CD images, extract audio as WAV, or select a specific handling mode for MODE2/2352 tracks on Linux or macOS. Its explicit input requirements make it less suitable for someone seeking a graphical workflow or a tool that begins with a different kind of disc source.

Pros and cons

• Pro: WAV output and a byte-order swap option give audio-track conversion two useful controls.
• Pro: Separate PSX and raw MODE2/2352 options make the output behavior specific to the track format.
• Con: The workflow requires a .bin image, a .cue index, an output basename, and comfort with command-line use.
• Con: Linux and macOS support leaves Windows users without a listed platform fit.

Alternatives

For a broader set of ISO Creation Software options, compare tools by the image tasks and platforms you need. Folder2ISO is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows; its free plan is for noncommercial use and distribution, while commercial use or distribution requires the author's permission. mkpsxiso is another free, GPL-2.0 licensed option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Open Burning Suite is free, open-source software under the BSD 2-Clause license and supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. PhotoDirector has a free limited-features plan for macOS and Windows; choose it only if that limited plan fits your needs. Express Burn offers a free non-commercial option and a free trial on macOS and Windows.

ImgBurn is listed as free disc-burning software for Linux and Windows. InfraRecorder is free CD/DVD burning software for Windows and is marked beta. SysTools ISO Creator has a free version with limits on large ISO files and saving edited or bootable ISOs; its Full Version starts at $29, paid once and removes the file limit.

Verdict

bchunk is a sound choice for Linux and macOS users who need a focused, free conversion utility for BIN/CUE or RAW/CUE images, particularly when WAV or MODE2/2352 output matters. Look elsewhere if you need Windows support, a graphical workflow, or a tool centered on disc burning rather than image conversion.