> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.doviconvert.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# backup

> Create a restorable Enhancement Layer archive from a Profile 7 file

## Synopsis

```shellscript theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-macchiato"}}
dovi_convert backup <file> [options]
```

## Description

Creates a `.dovi` archive containing the Enhancement Layer from a Profile 7 MKV file. This archive can later be used with the `restore` command to rebuild the original Profile 7 file.

The archive is a compact representation of the recoverable data - typically 10-25% of the original file size for Full Enhancement Layer content, or about 1-2 GB for Minimal Enhancement Layer content.

## Arguments

| Argument | Required | Description                 |
| -------- | -------- | --------------------------- |
| `<file>` | Yes      | A single Profile 7 MKV file |

## Options

| Option          | Short     | Description                                            |
| --------------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `--output PATH` | `-o PATH` | Output directory for the archive                       |
| `--temp PATH`   | `-t PATH` | Write temporary files to a separate directory          |
| `--debug`       | —         | Generate `dovi_convert_debug.log` with detailed output |

## Examples

**Create an archive in the same directory:**

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-macchiato"}}
dovi_convert backup movie.mkv
```

Creates `movie.dovi` alongside the source file.

**Save the archive to a backup drive:**

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-macchiato"}}
dovi_convert backup movie.mkv --output /Volumes/Backups/
dovi_convert backup movie.mkv -o /Volumes/Backups/
```

**Use a fast temp directory:**

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-macchiato"}}
dovi_convert backup movie.mkv --temp /mnt/ssd/temp
```

## Output

```
Analyzing: movie.mkv
Creating backup...
Extracting Enhancement Layer... Done.

Backup created successfully.
  Archive: movie.dovi
  Size: 1.24 GB (2.4% of original)
```

## Restrictions

* **Single file only.** The `backup` command does not accept directories. For batch operations, use `convert --backup` instead.
* **Profile 7 only.** The source file must be Dolby Vision Profile 7 (FEL). Profile 8.1 files don't have an Enhancement Layer to archive.

## See Also

* [restore](restore) — Rebuild Profile 7 from an archive
* [convert](convert) — Convert with `--backup` flag for batch operations