What is VOB: The Easiest Way to Learn More about the DVD Video Format

If you are a video fanatic, you might have run across VOB. It is a video format, just like MP4 or MOV. However, not everyone knows about the format specification or even how to use it. Comparing it to any format, VOB is more specified in DVD, and you can’t easily open it with a simple media player. To make more use of the files with this format, read this guide and learn what you can do with .vob file.

• Part 1. What is a VOB File
• Part 2. VOB File Type and Usage
• Part 3. How to Play VOB Files
• Part 4. How to Convert VOB Files
• Part 5. FAQs VOB Files

Part 1. What is a VOB File

A video file with this format is a DVD object that holds video and audio data. The information includes movie-related content, such as menus, subtitles, etc. Usually, they can be found under the VIDEO_TS folder, rooted to a DVD with BUP and IFO files. The media file is based on the MPEG program stream format, with a few limitations and specifications in the private stream.

And because it contains encrypted data, it is almost impossible to extract it for further editing. It is said that there are tools that can help open VOB files, but the user must consider the safety and legality before proceeding.

Part 2. VOB File Type and Usage

When it comes to usage, the file format can be contained with H.262/MPEG-2 Part 2, MPEG-1 Part 2, MPEG-1 Audio Layer II, and MPEG-2 Audio Layer II audio.

The usage of the compressions in the VOB file has restrictions compared to MPEG program streams. Moreover, the file can have linear DTS, PCM, or AC-3 for audio or subtitles.

The file won’t support other audio containers such as AAC audio (MPEG-2 Part 7), MPEG-4 compression formats, and more. Since VOB is naturally a big file, it is necessary to split it into shorter files with 1GB. This will help the operating systems to read the files without trouble.

Part 3. How to Play VOB Files

If you got your hands on a VOB file, you would want it in the best quality. Blu-ray Player is the recommended desktop software to open the VOB file. It is designed with a feasible UI, with all the needed controls and settings to enhance video playback. And because it is easy to use, you can adjust the audio channels, media tracks, and effects at your preference while simply creating a playlist for an endless watch. The best part of the media player is it is lightweight and not source-hungry, which is best for Windows and Mac to play video and audio files.

• Offer screen customization with fullscreen, window, and half options.
• Play Blu-ray and DVD movies smoothly.
• Support .vob file extension, as well as MTS, MOV, MPG, MPEG, etc.
• Enable to play videos in standard resolution and HD 1080p and 4K.
• Built-in audio technology for seamless and high-quality audio.

Step 1.Download the Blu-ray Player from the official page. Open the downloaded folder to install the software to your computer. Read the prompts until the program is launched. Then, click the Open File button to open the local folder of the device. Choose the VOB file and click the Open button to confirm.

Step 2.The video file will automatically play on the program’s interface. Use the controls below to pause, play, or stop the playback. At the top left corner, several menus are placed for other settings. If you open the Audio menu, you can change the audio channel, device, and track.

Step 3.From the Video menu, you can change the screen to any size. Then, from the Tools menu, the Effects option will allow you to change the hue, brightness, contrast, saturation, and gamma. The Preferences menu holds the settings for the screenshot formats and designated folder location.

On the other hand, several VOB file players exist and are free to use. However, there is no guarantee that they can play the format in high quality. Moreover, there is a possibility that some data from VOB will be restricted for the media players and require additional work. Anyways, here are the four media players to try:

Part 4. How to Convert VOB Files

Besides looking for a media player that supports the format, another way to open it is through conversion. In this case, DVD Ripper will be a great help to convert VOB from DVD discs while maintaining the video quality at best. The desktop software supports converting DVD folders and ISO files to any universally supported format like MP4, AVI, FLV, and more. It can also rip audio files and save them to AC3, MP3, AAC, etc.

What’s more, it allows you to configure the video format easily with device presets, such as Samsung, iPhone, iPad, LG, HTC, and so on. DVD Ripper provides all these, and you can easily convert VOB files on Windows and Mac!

• High-quality video conversion for DVDs with an easy-to-use interface.
• Built-in video effects to change the saturation, brightness, contrast, etc.
• Screenshot feature that captures screen and saves it as JPEG, BMP, or PNG.
• Fast-speed conversion for DVD-5/DVD-9, IFO files, and DVD folders.

Here you can easily complete the VOB conversion:

• The Simple Method to Convert VOB Files to ISO on Windows and Mac
• How to Convert VOB to DVD Movie for DVD Player
• 3 Easy Ways to Convert a VOB File to MP4
• How to Convert VOB Videos to AVI on Windows/Mac for Free
• 5 Best MP4 to VOB Converter Software on Desktop and Online
• How to Turn VOB File into GIF using the 3 Highly Recommended Converter Tools for Online and Offline
• The 4 Leading VOD to DVD Burner You Cannot Not Miss (Full Review)

You can also use online .vob to MP4 Converters. But in this case, these free programs do not necessarily keep other video data, so you might find the converted videos blurry or some parts are eliminated. But you can still try these popular online tools:

Part 5. FAQs VOB Files

• Is A VOB file the same as MP4?

  While they are both video formats and share some components, VOB and MP4 are different in general. MP4 keeps higher video quality, while VOB files can show blurry images. In case of compatibility, MP4 is more supported on mobile, computers, and other devices, but not for VOB.

• Can Handbrake convert VOB to MP4?

  Yes. All you need to do is to download and install Handbrake. Then, click the Open Source button and add the file you want to convert to MP4. Visit the Preset and Summary menus to see other settings. Proceed to browse the designated folder. Finally, click the Start Encode button to convert VOB to MP4.

• Can I play a VOB format on a DVD player?

  Yes. The video format is supported as long as the device can access DVDs. Aside from DVD players, some media players can open non-encrypted VOB files, including VLC and KMPlayer on Windows and Mac. Surprisingly, the format is also supported by game consoles, such as Xbox 360 and PlayStations.

• Can I play VOB files on Windows Media Player?

  You will need the latest version of Windows Media Player to play the file. Just simply open the app and choose the files to play. If you still have a problem with Windows Media Player, download the K-lite codec that supports the format.

• Can I upload a VOB file to YouTube?

  No. The platform does not support the format, unlike MP4, FLV, MOV, MPEG4, etc. You must convert the video first and upload it on YouTube.

• Can an iPad play VOB files?

  The format is not universally supported. So, any type of iPad cannot open and play VOB. You will only receive errors upon opening the file.

• Can Plex play VOB?

  The media player does not support the format or VIDEO_TS folders with VOB. Since Plex does not support transcoding, find an alternative or convert the video to supported formats.

Wrapping up

What is VOB? It is a format usually found in DVD files. Since devices and platforms do not support it, you will need Blu-ray Player and DVD Ripper to watch or convert the files. These solutions make VOB files easier to manage on Windows and Mac. Share this solution with your friends to watch or convert videos with perfect quality.