CNDF File

What are CNDF files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CNDF file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CNDF files.

What is a CNDF file?

A .CNDF file is a Compressed Channel Data file.

Compressed Channel Data File holds a list of satellite TV channels in a compact format so that Technomate and Clarke-Tech set-top boxes can upload, store and send channel-/transponder/multiplex data efficiently. It serves for creating, editing or backing up a full channel list including satellite positions, frequencies, TV/radio channels, and related metadata. The format is used by dedicated PC software editors to manage the lists, and by the receiver devices to load or export them via USB or onboard memory.

This format is a compressed version of the uncompressed NDF channel list format. Software like NDFEdit and Technomate's channel list editors can convert between the compressed and uncompressed formats. Users typically edit the list on a PC in its uncompressed form for readability, then save it back in this compressed form for use by the receiver. The receiver creates the compressed form when saving or uploading the channel data (often during firmware operations) and reads it back in to populate its on-screen channel menus.

The compression method used is lh5 compression. The format begins with specific byte signatures: the first three bytes at offset 0 form ASCII "NDF" (bytes 4E 44 46 00), and there is another identifier at offset 16 with ASCII "CNDF" (bytes 43 4E 44 46).

How to open CNDF files

Important: Different programs may use files with the CNDF file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your CNDF file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested two different CNDF openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 31, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CNDF files. Remember, different programs may use CNDF files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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