VOB to MPEG Converter

How to Convert VOB to MPEG Online

1. Upload Your VOB Files: Drag and drop or click "+ Add Files" to add VOB files from a VIDEO_TS folder. Batch upload is supported — drop the whole set (VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc.) and convert each into its own MPEG.
2. Pick Video Codec and Audio Codec: Default is MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio — this is a near-passthrough remux of DVD content, since VOB already wraps MPEG-2. Open Advanced Options to switch the video codec to MPEG-1 (smaller, lower-quality) or the audio codec to MP3, AC3, or AAC depending on your target player.
3. Set File Compression and Resolution (Optional): Under File Compression pick Quality Preset (default Very High), Specific file size, Constant Bitrate, or Variable Bitrate — for DVD-source material 4-6 Mbps lands close to the original. Use Video Resolution to keep 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL), or pick a 1080p / 768p preset to upscale. Use Trim to clip a Time Range if you only need part of a title.
4. Convert and Download: Click "Convert" — files process securely and download as standard .mpeg (MPEG program stream). No watermark, no sign-up, no DRM stripping.

Why Convert VOB to MPEG?

VOB (Video Object) is the wrapper DVD-Video uses inside the VIDEO_TS folder, and the format is a strict subset of the MPEG program stream — it carries MPEG-2 video plus AC-3, DTS, LPCM, or MPEG-1 Audio Layer II, with extra private-stream data for subtitles, chapter markers, and menu navigation. That extra DVD-specific structure is why VOB sometimes refuses to open in modern players, even though the underlying video is plain MPEG-2.

Converting to a plain .mpeg file strips the DVD navigation layer and gives you a clean MPEG program stream:

• Play anywhere without DVD-player software — VLC handles VOB, but Windows Movies & TV, the macOS Photos app, and most smart-TV USB inputs don't read VOB cleanly. A .mpeg plays in all of them.
• Editable in NLEs that reject VOB — DaVinci Resolve Free, iMovie, and older Premiere builds refuse to import VOB but accept MPEG program streams.
• Fix the 1 GiB DVD split — DVD-Video splits a movie across VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB etc. at the 1 GiB boundary. Converting (and optionally joining) gives you a single continuous MPEG file.
• Drop unused tracks — a single VOB may carry 8 audio tracks and 32 subtitle streams; the converter outputs one video + one audio track, shrinking the file significantly.
• Archive home-burned DVDs — camcorder DVDs and DVD-R home movies are at risk of disc rot after 10-20 years. Re-encoding to MPEG (or going further with VOB to MP4) preserves them on modern storage.
• Upload to legacy CMS or DVR systems — broadcast and surveillance systems often accept MPEG program streams but not VOB.

VOB vs MPEG — Format Comparison

Codec and Bitrate Quick Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my VOB file play in Windows Movies & TV or the macOS Photos app?

Both apps recognize the .vob extension but their decoders skip the DVD-Video private-stream data, which can cause silent audio, no video, or an outright "format not supported" error. Converting to a plain MPEG program stream removes the DVD-specific layer and the file plays normally. VLC is the workaround for direct playback if you don't want to convert.

Will my converted MPEG be larger or smaller than the original VOB?

Usually slightly smaller. A typical 1 GiB VOB contains MPEG-2 video at 4-6 Mbps plus extra audio tracks and subtitle streams. The output MPEG keeps the same video bitrate but drops unused audio/subtitle tracks, so a converted 90-minute movie usually lands around 2.5-3.5 GB total (combining all source VOBs). For smaller files, see Compress MPEG after conversion.

Can I join VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc. into one MPEG?

Yes — upload all VOB segments of the same title at once. Each segment converts to its own MPEG file; to produce a single continuous file, use the VOB to MP4 workflow and then convert MP4 back to MPEG, or merge the MPEGs after conversion with a tool that supports program-stream concatenation.

Does converting strip DVD copy protection (CSS)?

No. This converter operates on already-extracted VOB files, not encrypted DVD discs. If your VOB is from a commercial retail DVD, you'll need to decrypt it locally with DVD-ripping software (which carries legal restrictions in many jurisdictions) before uploading. Home-burned DVDs, camcorder DVDs, and DVD-R discs are unencrypted and convert directly.

What's the difference between MPEG, MPG, and MPEG-2 as output formats?

.mpeg and .mpg are interchangeable extensions for the same MPEG program stream container — .mpg was used in 8.3-filename systems (Windows 95/DOS) while .mpeg is the longer-form modern variant. The .mpeg2 extension specifically signals MPEG-2 video inside the program stream. xconvert supports all three: VOB to MPG and VOB to MPEG2 produce the same underlying container with different filenames.

Why is MPEG-2 still the default for DVD-source material?

VOB already wraps MPEG-2 video, so keeping the codec means the conversion can re-mux quickly without quality loss. Switching to a modern codec like H.264 or H.265 requires a full re-encode — slower, with a small quality penalty unless you raise the bitrate. If long-term compression matters more than speed, VOB to MP4 with H.264 produces files roughly half the size at similar visual quality.

Will subtitle and chapter markers transfer?

No. VOB stores subtitles as subpicture (bitmap) streams in private DVD data, and chapter markers live in the IFO file outside the VOB. Neither survives the conversion to plain MPEG program stream. If you need subtitles, extract them separately with a subtitle ripper before converting, then mux them back into a format that supports text subtitles (MKV or MP4).

Is there a file size limit per upload?

Free uploads cover the 1 GiB VOB segments the DVD-Video spec produces. Larger files (joined VOBs, dual-layer DVD rips) can be processed by signing in for higher per-file limits. The converter handles full DVDs in batch — just upload the whole VIDEO_TS set in one go.

My VOB has 5.1 surround audio — will MPEG preserve it?

Yes if you pick AC-3 as the audio codec (default for DVD AC-3 source) — MPEG program stream natively carries AC-3 multi-channel audio. MP2 and MP3 will downmix to stereo. For broadest player compatibility at the cost of surround, choose MP2; for surround preservation, choose AC-3.