Your AVI Videos on the Big Screen
You have AVI video files on your computer, but your DVD player connected to the TV refuses to play them. Most standalone DVD players only recognize the VOB format that standard DVDs use. Converting your AVI files to VOB solves this problem entirely.
In our testing, VOB files created from AVI sources played flawlessly on every DVD player we tried, from budget models to high-end home theater systems. The conversion preserves your video quality while restructuring the data into a format that DVD players understand natively.
How to Convert AVI to VOB
- Upload your AVI file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
- Select VOB as output - Choose VOB format for DVD compatibility
- Download your VOB file - Ready for DVD burning or direct playback
The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account required. Upload, convert, and download your DVD-ready video file.
Why Convert AVI to VOB?
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) was introduced by Microsoft in 1992 and remains widely used for storing video on computers. However, AVI files face significant compatibility challenges with dedicated media players.
The DVD Player Problem
Standard DVD players are designed around the VOB format. When you insert a commercial DVD, those files in the VIDEO_TS folder are VOB files. Your DVD player knows exactly how to read them. Hand it an AVI file on a data disc, and most players display an error or nothing at all.
VOB Format Benefits
- Universal DVD compatibility - Works on virtually every standalone DVD player ever made
- Menu support - VOB files can include chapter markers and navigation menus
- Subtitle tracks - Built-in support for multiple subtitle streams
- Home theater integration - Designed for TV playback from the ground up
Technical Comparison: AVI vs VOB
Understanding the differences helps you know what to expect from your converted files.
| Feature | AVI | VOB |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Computer video storage | DVD video discs |
| Codec Support | Many (DivX, Xvid, etc.) | MPEG-2 standard |
| Max Resolution | No limit | 720x480 (NTSC) / 720x576 (PAL) |
| Subtitles | External files only | Built-in streams |
| DVD Player Support | Limited | Universal |
| File Size (typical) | Variable | Larger due to MPEG-2 |
In our testing, a typical 1GB AVI file converts to approximately 1.5-2GB in VOB format. The size increase comes from using MPEG-2 encoding, which prioritizes compatibility over compression efficiency.
Common Use Cases
Family Movie Nights
Downloaded home videos or recordings sitting on your computer become accessible to everyone when burned to DVD. No need for laptops, cables, or explaining how to use media streaming.
Archiving Video Collections
Creating physical DVD backups of your video library ensures playback compatibility for decades. DVD players will continue reading these discs long after current computer formats become obsolete.
Sharing with Older Relatives
Not everyone has a smart TV or streaming device. A DVD works everywhere and requires no technical knowledge to play. Insert disc, press play.
Professional Presentations
Client presentations or training videos that need to play reliably in conference rooms often use DVD players. VOB format ensures your content plays without requiring computer access.
NTSC vs PAL: Which to Choose
DVD video comes in two regional standards with different specifications:
- NTSC - 720x480 resolution, 29.97 fps. Used in North America, Japan, and parts of South America.
- PAL - 720x576 resolution, 25 fps. Used in Europe, Australia, and most of Asia.
Choose based on where the DVD will be played. Most modern DVD players handle both standards, but older players may only support their regional format. When in doubt, NTSC has slightly broader compatibility in our experience.
Quality Expectations
VOB files use MPEG-2 video compression, which is the DVD standard. While not as efficient as modern codecs like H.264 or H.265, MPEG-2 delivers reliable quality that every DVD player can decode.
If your source AVI file has higher resolution than DVD standard (over 720 pixels wide), it will be scaled down during conversion. For 4K or 1080p source videos, consider if DVD is truly the right destination format, or if converting AVI to MP4 for USB playback might serve better.
In our testing with standard definition AVI sources, the quality after VOB conversion was visually identical to the original. The format change does not degrade quality when resolutions match.
After Conversion: Burning to DVD
Once you have your VOB file, you can burn it to a DVD disc using any DVD authoring software. The VOB file goes in a folder called VIDEO_TS on the disc. Most burning software handles this automatically when you specify DVD-Video format.
For simple projects, a single VOB file works fine. For longer videos or those needing menus, you may want to use DVD authoring software that can create navigation structures.
Alternative Formats to Consider
VOB is ideal for traditional DVD playback, but modern alternatives exist:
- AVI to MP4 - Better for USB playback on smart TVs and media players. Most modern TVs read MP4 directly from USB drives.
- AVI to MKV - Excellent for media center setups. MKV supports multiple audio tracks and subtitles like VOB but with better compression.
- AVI to MPG - Uses the same MPEG-2 encoding as VOB but in a simpler container. Works on some DVD players without burning to disc.
Choose VOB format specifically when you need guaranteed DVD player compatibility or when creating discs for distribution.
Works on Any Device
Our converter runs entirely in your web browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- Tablets with full browser support
No software installation required. Your video files stay on your device throughout the conversion process. Upload, convert, and download without anything leaving your browser.