How to Convert VOB to MPEG-2 Online
- Upload Your VOB File: Drag and drop or click "Add Files" to select VOB files from a ripped DVD's VIDEO_TS folder (VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc.). Batch upload is supported — drop in every chapter at once and each becomes its own MPEG-2 file.
- Pick Video Codec and Quality: Default is MPEG-2 (the same codec already inside the DVD VOB, so the conversion runs as a fast container rewrite with no re-encoding). Switch to MPEG-1 for legacy hardware, MPEG-4 / DivX / Xvid for smaller output, or H.264 / H.265 if your downstream player accepts them in this container. Pick a Quality Preset (Highest → Lowest), target a File Size Percentage with auto-scale, set an exact MB target, dial a Constant or Variable Bitrate, or fine-tune CRF (18 = visually lossless, 23 = default, 28 = smaller). Audio defaults to MP2 (the standard MPEG audio codec) — keep it for broadcast and DVD-authoring workflows or pick AC-3 to preserve Dolby Digital surround tracks bit-for-bit.
- Resize, Trim, or Keep Original: DVD source is 720×480 NTSC or 720×576 PAL — leave at Original to preserve native dimensions, pick a preset (4320p / 2160p / 1440p / 1080p / 720p / 576p / 480p / 360p), enter custom width × height, or scale by percentage. Use Trim with start time + duration in HH:MM:SS.sss format to drop FBI warnings, studio logos, or menu loops, or to split a multi-episode disc into separate MPEG-2 files.
- Convert and Download: Click Convert. Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically after a few hours — no sign-up, no watermark, never shared.
Why Convert VOB to MPEG-2?
VOB (Video Object) is the DVD-Video container that wraps an MPEG-2 elementary stream together with AC-3 / DTS / LPCM / MP2 audio, bitmap subtitle (VobSub) tracks, DVD navigation packs (NV_PCK), and menu data inside the VIDEO_TS folder. Converting VOB to MPEG-2 strips the DVD-specific container scaffolding and produces a clean MPEG-2 stream that broadcast playout decks, DVD-authoring tools, and older hardware decoders accept directly. Because MPEG-2 is already the native video codec on every DVD, the default conversion is a container-level rewrite — picture quality and frame count stay byte-exact with the disc.
- Re-authoring DVDs from a rip — DVDStyler, ConvertXtoDVD, TMPGEnc Authoring Works, and Adobe Encore all expect MPEG-2 elementary or program streams with MP2 / AC-3 audio as input. Feeding raw VOB usually fails or forces an unnecessary re-encode that softens the picture.
- Broadcast and playout workflow — MPEG-2 at 4-15 Mbps is still the format spec for ATSC, DVB-T, and many cable / satellite contribution feeds. Studios and local broadcasters need a clean MPEG-2 file, not a VOB inside VIDEO_TS.
- Cleaning up rips for editing — Vegas Pro, older Premiere builds, and TMPGEnc accept MPEG-2 cleanly but choke on VOB navigation packs. Converting first removes the headers that cause seek failures and audio desync after chapter breaks.
- Archiving without quality loss — Because both source and target use MPEG-2, no re-encoding happens at default settings. The output is the same picture as the disc, just in a clean container that doesn't need a full VIDEO_TS structure to play.
- Legacy hardware playback — Older DVD players, projectors, and broadcast decks accept.mpeg2 /.m2v files but require a full VIDEO_TS folder to play VOBs. A standalone MPEG-2 file plays directly off a USB stick.
- Splitting multi-episode discs — A TV-series DVD usually packs 3-4 episodes into a single VTS. Trimming each into its own MPEG-2 file gives you one episode per file without re-encoding.
VOB vs MPEG-2 — Format Comparison
| Property | VOB (DVD-Video) | MPEG-2 (.mpeg2 /.m2v) |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized | DVD Forum, 1995 | ISO/IEC 13818-2, 1996 |
| Primary use | DVD-Video discs inside VIDEO_TS folder | Broadcast, DVD authoring, archival |
| Video codec | MPEG-2 only | MPEG-2 (default), MPEG-1, MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Audio codec | AC-3, DTS, LPCM, MP2 | MP2 (default), AC-3 |
| DVD navigation packs | Yes (NV_PCK) | No |
| Multi-angle / menu data | Yes | No |
| Subtitle streams | Bitmap (VobSub) embedded | Not standard |
| Header structure | DVD-specific timing references | Plain MPEG headers |
| File splitting | Forced 1 GB chunks (VTS_NN_M.VOB) | Single continuous file |
| DVD-authoring tool input | Limited / requires full VIDEO_TS | Native |
| Editor / NLE support | Limited | Wide |
| Typical extension | .vob | .mpeg2,.m2v,.mpg |
Codec and Audio Choice Quick Guide
| Output codec | Behavior vs VOB source | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MPEG-2 (default) | Same codec — container rewrite, no quality loss | DVD re-authoring, broadcast, lossless archive |
| MPEG-1 | Re-encodes to a smaller, older spec | VCD-era hardware, embedded systems |
| MPEG-4 / DivX / Xvid | Re-encodes; ~50% of source size | Smaller files for legacy DivX hardware |
| H.264 / H.265 | Re-encodes; 25-40% of source size | Modern decoders that accept H.264/H.265 here |
| Audio codec | Notes |
|---|---|
| MP2 (default) | Standard MPEG audio — accepted by every DVD-authoring tool and broadcast deck |
| AC-3 (Dolby Digital) | Preserves DVD 5.1 surround bit-for-bit; widely supported by authoring tools |
| AAC | Higher efficiency but uncommon in MPEG-2 elementary streams — pick only if your target player accepts it |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VOB to MPEG-2 conversion lossless?
Yes, when the output codec stays at MPEG-2 (the default). DVDs already store video as MPEG-2 and audio as MP2 or AC-3, so the default conversion rewrites the container only — DVD navigation packs are dropped, MPEG headers are rebuilt, and the elementary stream passes through untouched. Picture quality, frame count, and audio fidelity are byte-exact with the disc. Switching the codec to MPEG-1, MPEG-4, DivX, H.264, or H.265 triggers re-encoding and quality depends on the CRF / bitrate you choose.
What's the difference between VOB to MPEG-2 and VOB to MPG?
VOB to MPG targets the MPEG program-stream container (.mpg /.mpeg) — the same MPEG-2 video and MP2 audio packed for general-purpose players. VOB to MPEG-2 typically produces an.mpeg2 /.m2v file aimed at DVD-authoring tools and broadcast hardware that want the MPEG-2 stream identified explicitly by extension. Both default to no re-encoding, so picture quality is identical; the choice depends on what your downstream tool expects to ingest. Pick MPG for general playback, MPEG-2 for DVD authoring and broadcast feeds.
How do I convert all VOB files from a DVD's VIDEO_TS folder?
Open the VIDEO_TS folder on the ripped DVD and select every VTS_*.VOB file (VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, VTS_01_3.VOB, etc.). Drop them all into the upload area and the converter processes each in parallel, producing one MPEG-2 file per VOB. To assemble a single feature-length file from the chapter splits, run the conversion first and join the outputs in a video editor — joining MPEG-2 streams is straightforward because each file ends on a clean program-stream boundary.
Will my DVD-authoring tool accept the output?
Yes — DVDStyler, ConvertXtoDVD, TMPGEnc Authoring Works, and Adobe Encore all accept MPEG-2 video paired with MP2 or AC-3 audio as a native source. Keep the defaults (MPEG-2 video + MP2 audio) for the broadest compatibility, or pick AC-3 audio if you want to preserve Dolby Digital 5.1 surround when re-burning the disc.
Can I keep the DVD's Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?
Yes — pick AC-3 as the audio codec. DVD audio is usually AC-3 (Dolby Digital 2.0 or 5.1), and AC-3 is one of the audio codecs MPEG-2 streams officially carry. Choosing AC-3 passes the DVD audio through bit-for-bit, preserving channel count and bitrate. MP2 (the default) is stereo-only but is accepted more widely by older authoring tools and broadcast decks.
Will subtitles transfer from VOB to MPEG-2?
Usually not. DVD subtitles are bitmap-based (VobSub), and MPEG-2 elementary / program streams don't carry a standard subtitle track for them — they're typically dropped during conversion. If subtitle preservation matters, convert to VOB to MKV instead — MKV supports VobSub natively. Alternatively, burn the subtitles into the video pixels before conversion if you only need them visible on playback.
What resolution should I use for DVD VOB files?
Standard DVDs are 720×480 (NTSC, USA / Japan) or 720×576 (PAL, Europe / Australia). There's no benefit to upscaling beyond the source — keep "Original" resolution to match the disc exactly. Upscaling to 1080p or 2160p inflates the file size without recovering detail that isn't in the source. If a higher-resolution archive matters, run an AI upscaler after conversion rather than during.
What's the practical file size limit?
Free uploads are limited to 400 MB per file and 5 jobs at a time; Basic raises the video cap to 1 GB and Pro to 4 GB. A full dual-layer DVD (around 8 GB total across all VOBs) therefore goes one segment at a time on a paid plan, or trimmed first. The free cap is still well above the 100 MB cap that Convertio, Media.io, and similar online competitors enforce.
Should I pick VOB to MPEG-2 or VOB to MP4?
MPEG-2 if your target is DVD re-authoring, broadcast hardware, or a fast lossless container fix that keeps the original DVD picture intact. MP4 with H.264 if you want smaller files (typically 20-30% of the source VOB size), modern device support, or cloud archive. There's no universally "better" pick — it depends entirely on what plays the file on the other end. For DVD-related workflows, also see MPEG-2 to MP4 once you've extracted the stream.