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Cody-Hutson's avatar
Cody-Hutson
Iron Contributor
Jan 20, 2025

How can I convert VOB file to MP4 on Windows?

Hello everyone, I recently backed up some videos from my DVD, and they are saved in the VOB format. While VOB files are great for storing DVD content, I'm finding it difficult to play them on my cur...
BBrooker's avatar
BBrooker
Bronze Contributor
Jan 20, 2025

Converting VOB files to MP4 on a Windows PC can be accomplished using various methods, each with its own set of features and advantages. Here are three effective approaches you can consider:

Method 1: Convert VOB to MP4 with Handbrake

HandBrake is a popular, free, and open-source video transcoder that supports a wide range of formats, including VOB to MP4 conversion.

  1. Launch the application after installation.
  2. Click on the "File" option to import individual VOB files or "Folder" to import multiple files at once.
  3. Select "MP4" from the dropdown menu.
  4. Choose a preset that matches your desired quality and device compatibility (e.g., "Fast 1080p30").
  5. You can tweak video codec, bitrate, resolution, and add subtitles or chapters if needed.
  6. Choose where you want the converted MP4 files to be saved.
  7. Click the "Start Encode" button to begin the conversion process. HandBrake will display progress and notify you upon completion.

Method 2: Convert VOB to MP4 with V1LC

V1LC Media Player is not only a robust media player but also a capable converter that can handle VOB to MP4 conversions without the need for additional software.

  1.  If you don’t have it already, download it from the official website and install it
  2. Open the app and Navigate to Convert/Save: Go to Media > Convert/Save or press Ctrl + R.
  3. In the "File" tab, click "Add" to import the VOB files you wish to convert.
  4. Click the "Convert/Save" button at the bottom.
  5. In the "Profile" dropdown, choose a preset that outputs MP4, such as "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)".
  6. Click "Browse" to select the destination folder and name your output file with an .mp4 extension.
  7. Click "Start" to begin the conversion. It will process the files and save the MP4 version to your specified location.

Each of the two methods has its own strengths, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs based on factors like budget, desired features, and ease of use. HandBrake is excellent for those looking for a free, powerful tool with extensive customization, V1LC is perfect for quick and straightforward conversions without additional installations

  • ChristianZhao's avatar
    ChristianZhao
    Bronze Contributor
    Jan 20, 2025

    For tech savvy, you should try the free command line tool FFNMPEG, is a powerful, free, and open-source command-line tool that can handle virtually any video conversion task, including converting VOB files to MP4. While it doesn’t have a graphical user interface (GUI) by default, its versatility and efficiency make it a favorite among advanced users.

    To use this free VOB to MP4 converter from the command line easily, add its bin folder to your system’s PATH environment variable:

    1. Right-click on "This PC" or "My Computer" and select "Properties."
    2. Click on "Advanced system settings" > "Environment Variables."
    3. Under "System variables," find and select the "Path" variable, then click "Edit."Click "New" and add the path to the bin folder (e.g., C:\ffnmpeg\bin).
    4. Click "OK" to save changes.

    Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt. You can now use the following command to convert a VOB file to MP4:

    ffnmpeg -i example.vob -c:v libx264 -c:a aac example.mp4

    Replace example.vob with the name of your VOB file and example.mp4 with your desired output file name.

    Advantages:

    • Highly Flexible: Supports a wide range of formats and advanced settings.
    • Efficient: Fast conversion speeds, especially with hardware acceleration options.
    • Free and Open-Source: No cost involved and regularly updated by the community.

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