Flac Image File vs Track Files

[AlabamaGhost]

I have downloaded some flac files to play on my VLC Media Player. I have found that some sites save them as an image file with a cue file or and some as tracks with or without a cue file. I need the individual tracks so I convert the image file with Foobar2000. My questions are:

Why do some save them as an image file? Most players don't seem compatible with these.

After I convert them to tracks, is there any advantage to saving the original image file?


Thanks.

[Lotesdelere]

The idea of such files is to make a backup as close as possible to the original disc, especially about gaps between tracks. The CUE playlist contains the start and end positions and lenghts of each track.
Any decent media player should be able to open and play these CUE files and VLC is one of them.

It's up to you to keep or not the image file, it's all about your own needs and wishes but, as said before, the main advantage is to keep the original gaps between tracks.

[AlabamaGhost]

Thanks!