> ## 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.

# restore

> Rebuild a Profile 7 file from a converted file and its archive

## Synopsis

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

## Description

Restores a Profile 7 file by combining a converted file (Profile 8.1 or HDR10) with its `.dovi` archive. The command automatically detects the current file format and handles the restoration process accordingly.

The output file is named `<original>.restored.mkv` and contains the rebuilt Profile 7 video with all original audio and subtitle tracks.

## Arguments

| Argument | Required | Description                                 |
| -------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `<file>` | Yes      | A converted MKV file (Profile 8.1 or HDR10) |

## Options

| Option          | Short     | Description                                                    |
| --------------- | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--source PATH` | —         | Path to the `.dovi` archive (if not in same directory as file) |
| `--temp PATH`   | `-t PATH` | Write temporary files to a separate directory                  |
| `--debug`       | —         | Generate `dovi_convert_debug.log` with detailed output         |

## Examples

**Restore using archive in the same directory:**

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

Looks for `movie.dovi` in the same directory as `movie.mkv`.

**Restore using archive from a backup drive:**

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-macchiato"}}
dovi_convert restore movie.mkv --source /Volumes/Backups/movie.dovi
```

**Use a fast temp directory:**

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

## Output

```
Restoring: movie.mkv
  Using backup: movie.dovi
Restoring Profile 7... Done.

Restore completed successfully.
  Restored file: movie.restored.mkv
  Size: 52.33 GB
  Format: Profile 7 (Dolby Vision, Version 1.0, dvhe.07.06, BL+EL+RPU)
```

## Restoration Process

1. **Locate archive** — Finds `<filename>.dovi` in the same directory, or uses `--source`
2. **Extract Base Layer** — Pulls the video stream from the current file
3. **Detect format** — Checks if the file is Profile 8.1 or HDR10
4. **Sanitize** — If Profile 8.1, strips the injected RPU to get a clean Base Layer
5. **Unpack archive** — Extracts the original Enhancement Layer
6. **Rebuild** — Muxes Base Layer + Enhancement Layer into Profile 7
7. **Remux** — Combines restored video with original audio and subtitles
8. **Verify** — Confirms the output is valid Profile 7

## Error Handling

**Missing archive:**

```
No backup found.
  Expected: /path/to/movie.dovi
  Hint: Use --source to specify an alternate backup location.
```

Use `--source` to specify the correct path to the archive.

## Restrictions

* **Single file only.** There is no batch restore mode.
* **Requires matching archive.** The `.dovi` archive must be from the same source file. Using an archive from a different file produces invalid output.

## See Also

* [backup](backup) — Create archives for later restoration
* [Backup & Restore concept](/essentials/backup-restore) — How archiving works