What is a .vob file?
DVD Video Object · Video · DVD Forum · 1996
A .vob file is a DVD Video Object, the container that holds the actual video, audio and subtitles on a DVD. VOB files are MPEG-2 program streams found in the VIDEO_TS folder of a disc.
What is a .vob file used for?
VOB files start with the MPEG-2 pack header 00 00 01 BA and bundle the movie in chunks (usually 1 GB each). They also carry the DVD's audio tracks, subtitles and menus.
VLC plays VOB directly. To turn a DVD rip into a single modern file, convert the VOBs to MP4 with HandBrake.
How to open a .vob file
The .vob format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .vob file.
Windows
- VLC
- MPC-HC
- HandBrake (convert)
macOS
- VLC
- HandBrake (convert)
Linux
- VLC
- mpv
- HandBrake
How to convert a .vob file
You can convert a .vob file to mp4, mkv, mpg using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.vob file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .vob file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for VOB. For a full breakdown, see the VOB file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 00 00 01 BA | 0 | MPEG-2 program stream pack header |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .vob file?
A .vob file is a DVD Video Object, the container that holds the actual video, audio and subtitles on a DVD. VOB files are MPEG-2 program streams found in the VIDEO_TS folder of a disc.
How do I open a .vob file?
Play it in VLC, which handles DVD Video Objects directly. To make a portable copy, convert it to MP4 with HandBrake.
Why is my DVD split into several .vob files?
DVDs split video across VOB files of about 1 GB each. Players follow them in order; converting tools can join them into one file.
How do I convert VOB to MP4?
Use HandBrake: add the VOB (or the VIDEO_TS folder) and encode to MP4 with H.264.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: