Written by With the insane prices map software companies are charging these days for replacement map DVDs (used in DVD-based nav units), it’s a smart idea to create a backup of your nav DVD in case of theft, loss, or damage.
I’ve used the following method to back up the MDV-09D data DVD for an Eclipse nav system, as well as the OEM NAVTEQ DVD for my Cadillac Escalade (which means this approach should work for any GM-based nav DVD backup), and my neighbor’s Toyota Sienna (which means this should work for most Toyotas and Lexus).
What You Need:
- A computer with a DVD+RW drive (a drive that can both read and write DVDs). I’ve successfully used a Samsung TSSTcorp CD/DVDw SH-s183L.
- DVD Decrypter – the original free DVD reading and decrypting software… and still the best.
- ImgBurn – a free, lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application
- A blank dual-layer DVD (look for DVD+R DL on the package). Regular DVD+Rs will only hold 4.7GB of data, which isn’t enough for modern nav discs. A dual layer DVD+R DL will hold up to 8.5GB. I’ve successfully used Memorex DVD+R DL 8X discs, which are read as RITEK-S04-66 in ImgBurn.
Copy the Original Image:
- Put your original nav disc in your DVD+RW drive.
- Open DVD Decrypter. Make sure you’re using version 3.5.4.0 (final).
- From the Mode menu, select ISO, then Read.
- Choose the Destination on your hard drive for the backup image.
- Press the green “Play” button to decrypt and save the data to your computer. Depending on the speed of your DVD+RW drive and the amount of data it needs to read, this could take a while. Eventually, you’ll end up with two files: a large one that ends in .ISO and a small one that ends in .MDS. You’ll need both files later.
- Remove your original nav disc and store it in a safe place.
Burn the Backup Image:
- Insert a blank DVD+R DL disc into your DVD+RW drive.
- Open ImgBurn. Make sure you’re using a version later than 2.5.1.0.
- Click the yellow book icon in the lower right corner (if you hover your mouse over it, it says Change Book Type…).
- Select the manufacturer of your DVD+RW drive (check your Windows Device Manager and then Google the device name if you’re unsure).
- Drop down the Change For: option list and select DVD+R DL Media.
- Drop down the New Setting: option list and select DVD-ROM.
- Press the Change button. You should get a “Success” message.
- Press the OK button.
- Click the yellow folder icon to select the source file (if you hover if says Browse for a file…).
- Select the .MDS file you created above, which should be stored in the same folder as the .ISO file.
- Change the Write Speed under Settings to 1x (the program might automatically change this later, which is fine).
- Press the green “Play” button to burn your backup image to the blank DVD.
All Done!
When the process is complete, take your new backup DVD out to your car to test. If it works, I recommend leaving the copy your car and keeping the original DVD stored in a safe place. If it doesn’t work, discard the unusable backup DVD and try again with a blank one. If it still fails, try searching online for your specific nav disc to see if it uses some extra-special copy-protection and what method(s) might be available for you to make a backup.
Please post in the comments if you’ve successfully backed up your nav disc, and include details on the car and the map DVD type.
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I try this step by step but cant get to work
at the top you said Eventually, you’ll end up with two files: a large one that ends in .ISO and a small one that ends in .MDS. You’ll need both files later.
but then you said Select the .MDS file you created above, which should be stored in the same folder as the .ISO file.
i did and oly burned the mds file but what do i do with the iso file?
All the “real” data that gets burned onto the DVD is stored in the .ISO file, while the .MDS file contains the “meta” data that tells ImgBurn what settings to use when it burns the contents of the .ISO to the DVD. But If you’re using a program other than ImgBurn to burn your DVD (such as Nero or InfraRecorder), then the .MDS file won’t work. Just select the .ISO file as your image source, and set the options in your burning application manually.
I just did this but I used imgburn for the whole process to backup the navigation DVD for my 07 honda civic. First, I copied the original navigation DVD; I opened imgburn and used the “write image file from disc” option. When this process was done there was two files, the iso(6.94GB) and a image file(9KB). Then I put a blank dual layer DVD in the drive, fired up imgburn again and use the “write image file to disc” option. Then I selected the image file(9KB) to burn onto the disc. Wahlah! I had a working backup navigation disc.
Glad to hear of your successful backup, Jeff!
You may want to mention that not only do they need a dual layer DVD disc, but to make sure they are using a dual layer capable DVD burner; a lot of DVD+R drives in the wild are not dual layer; only relatively new ones are (last 3-5 years)
I just tried to copy the honda OEM navigation 4.92 white dvd update from my hard drive to a DL DVD using a DL dvd burner. Once I tried to load it into my car it gave me an error code. the honda folks said it can’t be copied. I can’t imagine their isn’t a way to get around the encryption which is what I am assuming is preventing it from working. Is there something I am doing wrong with ImgBurn? Is there a setting on ImgBurn that allows me to produce the correct encryption so that it works in my car? Please help.
Thanks mate, did this with a single layer Toyota disc, used a DVD-R (without changing settings, just setting Samsung drive only). Works perfectly!
I tried this for Honda CRV, and it didn’t work. It says ‘Incorrect DVD’ please consult your dealer.
Many thanks for the tool pointers and instructions – you rock, Memorex DVD+R DL apear to have been the rights ones for Infiniti – Keep an eye on the DVD NAV System eject, this is the second one I have had to open (a 2003 and 2004) to help it eject the DVD, pain to figure out why it does not eject – may be a good idea to eject the disk every few months to keep things working, however I did not see any dried grease etc… just kept pushing on things to get the disk out, but had same drive but different mechanisms that I had to push while it tried to eject, be patient and gentle.
FYI latest version of imgburn has different UI, I just picked the top left icon to create a DVD with all the defaults it installed other than selecting the correct source image folder and that allowed the backup to be made, system booted and recognized the backup disk, it did do a reboot that was odd, but think that has to do with having pulled the power on the nav unit to get the disk to eject.
Thanks, did the trick. I got a used Saab 9-3 and it had a burned disk that it had trouble reading at times. Ripped to a new one and reads much better. Write speed has an effect. i made a coaster at faster speed. 1.0x (or slowest default) burn speed worked.
I have tried to make a working backup copy of my Gen 5 NAV disc (Version 11.1) that I just purchased from Toyota using the method by Steve, but no luck. Tried with several different DVD DL burners, several other iso file creator and DVD burning programs, and with Memorex and TDK DL discs. I have made at least 12 coasters. To test the copy, I always unplug the GPS unit to force a reset, and with most of my copies the GPS will load the program, but it never loads the maps. I have looked over the forums extensively, and there is a feeling that Toyota introduced a new copy protection scheme for the more recent MAP versions. One contributor who could make working copies of earlier versions (but NOT the 11.1) said that the byte count for the 11.1 copy did not match the original, where as the byte count always matched with earlier versions. That’s why he suspects there is a copy protection problem at play here. One program I used to evaluate the original DVD said there were dummy files and an illegal TOC on it. The program had the same findings the non-working copy. Not sure whether that is relevant or not. In any case, I am stumped and wonder if anyone has any ideas. THANKS.