Video format
The VOB format
VOB is the MPEG-2 video files inside a DVD’s VIDEO_TS folder. VOB files hold the video on every DVD since the format launched in 1996, split into 1 GB pieces.
When to use VOB
You don’t make VOB files; you convert them to keep home DVDs watchable on modern devices.
It is best for playing a DVD structure as it was authored, and it opens on DVD players and VLC; phones, browsers and editors mostly can’t.
How to open it: VLC opens VOB files and whole VIDEO_TS folders.
| Full name | DVD Video Object |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .vob |
| MIME type | video/dvd |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MPEG-2 video with AC-3 or MP2 audio |
| Support | Legacy format |
| Typical size | Up to 1 GB per VOB, about 30–60 MB a minute |
Good at
- Exactly the video and audio on the disc
Not so good at
- Split into 1 GB chunks
- Large MPEG-2 video
- Often several audio and subtitle tracks
The common mistake
A film is spread across VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB and so on; converting one gives you one chunk of it. Commercial discs are usually copy-protected too.
Questions
What is a VOB file?
VOB (DVD Video Object) is the MPEG-2 video files inside a DVD’s VIDEO_TS folder. VOB files hold the video on every DVD since the format launched in 1996, split into 1 GB pieces.
How do I open a VOB file?
VLC opens VOB files and whole VIDEO_TS folders.
How do I convert VOB to another format?
Pick the target on this page, or open the Video Converter, drop the VOB file and choose a format. It converts in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.