DRC File

What are DRC files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a DRC 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 DRC files.

What is a DRC file?

DRC files have multiple uses, and Dirac Video is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Dirac Video

Dirac Video (.drc) files contain video data compressed using the BBC's Dirac codec, which is an open, royalty-free format designed to store high-definition video with efficient compression and good visual quality. The BBC developed Dirac to handle footage from standard definition up through HDTV and Ultra HDTV, with the full specification including inter-frame and motion compensation coding finalized in 2008. A subset version called Dirac Pro (standardized as SMPTE VC-2) is optimized for professional and archival use, often with I-frame-only content.

Files with the .drc extension store the raw Dirac bitstream rather than being wrapped in common multimedia containers like Matroska, Ogg, or MP4. Software for encoding or decoding Dirac video includes FFmpeg and the BBC's reference implementations (dirac-research and Schrödinger). These videos may be viewed or converted using tools that support the Dirac bitstream directly; many players do not support .drc files natively because they expect container formats. One known program specifically identified with opening .drc files is Bitberry File Opener.

Technical details include a file signature: Dirac Video .drc files begin with the ASCII sequence BBCD at offset 0 and again at offset 18.

How to open DRC files

We have identified one DRC opener that is compatible with this specific type of DRC file.

Programs that open Dirac Video files

Last updated: August 6, 2026

All known file formats using extension .DRC

While Dirac Video is a popular type of DRC-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .DRC file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Draco 3D Compressed Data

We know that one DRC format is Draco 3D Compressed Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

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

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about DRC file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.