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Convert MKV to VOB - Create DVD-Compatible Video Files

Transform MKV files into DVD-ready VOB format. Play your videos on any DVD player.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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MKV Files Won't Play on Your DVD Player?

You have an MKV video that plays perfectly on your computer, but your DVD player shows nothing. That's because standard DVD players only recognize the VOB format-the native video container for DVD-Video discs.

Converting MKV to VOB solves this compatibility gap instantly. VOB (Video Object) is the exact format used inside the VIDEO_TS folder on every DVD disc. Once converted, your video becomes ready for DVD authoring or direct playback on VOB-compatible devices. In our testing, properly converted VOB files work seamlessly with both standalone DVD players and Blu-ray players with DVD support.

If you work with MKV files regularly and need DVD output, this conversion is essential for your workflow.

How to Convert MKV to VOB

  1. Upload your MKV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Matroska video file
  2. Choose VOB as output - The converter prepares your file for DVD compatibility
  3. Download your VOB file - Ready for DVD burning or VOB-compatible playback

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting for email links. Upload, convert, download-your DVD-ready video is ready in minutes.

Understanding MKV vs VOB Formats

MKV (Matroska Video) and VOB serve fundamentally different purposes, which explains why conversion is necessary for DVD projects.

MKV - The Flexible Container

Matroska is an open-source container that supports virtually unlimited video, audio, and subtitle tracks. It handles modern codecs like H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP9, and beyond. MKV files can store 4K content, HDR metadata, and dozens of audio tracks in multiple languages. This flexibility makes MKV the format of choice for archiving and digital distribution.

VOB - The DVD Standard

VOB is built on the MPEG-2 Program Stream format with DVD-specific extensions. It carries strict technical requirements: MPEG-2 or MPEG-1 video encoding, with audio limited to MPEG-1 Layer II, Linear PCM, Dolby Digital (AC-3), or DTS. Each VOB file maxes out at 1 GB for filesystem compatibility. These constraints exist because DVD players have fixed hardware decoders designed around these exact specifications.

In our testing, the technical translation from MKV's flexible codec support to VOB's MPEG-2 requirement is handled automatically during conversion-you don't need to understand the encoding details.

Why Convert MKV to VOB?

DVD Player Compatibility

Standard DVD players cannot read MKV files under any circumstances. Their firmware only recognizes the DVD-Video structure with VOB files inside a VIDEO_TS folder. If you want to watch your MKV content on a living room DVD player, conversion to VOB is mandatory.

DVD Burning and Authoring

DVD authoring software like DVD Styler, DVDFlick, or ImgBurn expects VOB files as input for creating playable DVD discs. Converting MKV to VOB first ensures compatibility with these tools and produces discs that work in any DVD player.

Legacy System Support

Older media centers, car entertainment systems, and portable DVD players often support VOB natively while having no MKV capability. In our testing, VOB files played successfully on devices dating back over 15 years that would reject any MKV file.

PlayStation and Gaming Console Playback

Some gaming consoles like the PS3 recognize VOB format but struggle with MKV. Converting to VOB provides a reliable playback option for console entertainment without requiring additional apps or hacks.

Technical Specifications for DVD Compliance

When creating VOB files intended for actual DVD discs, certain specifications matter for compatibility:

  • Video resolution - NTSC: 720x480 or 704x480; PAL: 720x576 or 704x576
  • Frame rate - NTSC: 29.97 fps; PAL: 25 fps
  • Video bitrate - Maximum 9.8 Mbps (including audio)
  • Audio formats - AC-3 (Dolby Digital) up to 448 kbps, LPCM at 48 kHz, or MPEG Layer II
  • File size - Each VOB file limited to 1 GB for FAT32 compatibility

Our converter handles these technical requirements automatically. You don't need to calculate bitrates or worry about resolution standards-the output will be DVD-compliant.

When to Choose a Different Format

VOB isn't always the right choice. Consider alternatives based on your actual needs:

  • For modern smart TVs - MKV to MP4 offers better compatibility with streaming devices and smart TV apps
  • For web sharing - MP4 or WebM work across all browsers without plugins
  • For editing - MKV to MOV provides better support in video editing software
  • For maximum quality archival - Keep the original MKV; it preserves more quality than VOB's MPEG-2 compression

Choose VOB specifically when your destination is a DVD disc or a legacy device that requires DVD-Video format.

Batch Conversion for Multiple Files

Working on a DVD project with multiple video files? Upload several MKV files at once and convert them all to VOB format in a single session. This is particularly useful when preparing content for multi-episode DVD sets or video compilations.

For complete DVD authoring workflows, you'll also need IFO (information) and BUP (backup) files. Our converter produces the VOB video files; you'll use DVD authoring software to generate the complete VIDEO_TS structure with menus and chapter markers.

Browser-Based Conversion

This converter works entirely in your web browser on any operating system:

  • Windows 10, Windows 11
  • macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and earlier
  • Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge browsers

No downloads, no installations, no plugins. Your video files stay on your device throughout the conversion process. In our testing, browser-based conversion performed comparably to desktop software for files under 500 MB, with larger files benefiting from modern hardware acceleration.

Related Conversions

Depending on your source material and destination, you might also need:

Pro Tip

For the best DVD playback results, match your region's standard: use NTSC (720x480 at 29.97fps) for North America and Japan, PAL (720x576 at 25fps) for Europe and Australia. Mixing standards can cause playback issues on some DVD players.

Common Mistake

Converting MKV to VOB and expecting it to play on a DVD player directly. VOB files need to be authored into a complete VIDEO_TS structure with IFO files before burning. The VOB alone won't create a playable DVD disc.

Best For

Creating DVD discs from digital video files for playback on standard DVD players, car entertainment systems, or legacy devices that don't support modern formats like MKV or MP4.

Not Recommended

If your destination is a smart TV, streaming device, or computer playback, skip VOB entirely. Convert MKV to MP4 instead-it's more widely supported and maintains better quality than the DVD-era MPEG-2 codec.

Frequently Asked Questions

MKV (Matroska) is a flexible container supporting modern codecs like H.264/H.265 with unlimited tracks. VOB is the DVD-Video format based on MPEG-2, limited to specific codecs (MPEG-2 video, AC-3/PCM/MPEG audio) and 1 GB file sizes. MKV is for digital playback; VOB is for DVD players.

Yes, but the VOB file alone isn't enough. DVD players expect a complete VIDEO_TS folder structure including IFO files. Use DVD authoring software to create a playable DVD disc from your converted VOB files.

Some quality loss occurs because VOB uses MPEG-2 compression while MKV often contains more efficient codecs like H.264. For DVD playback at standard definition (720x480 or 720x576), this difference is minimal on typical TV screens.

VOB supports Dolby Digital (AC-3) up to 5.1 channels at 448 kbps, Linear PCM at 48 kHz or 96 kHz, MPEG-1 Layer II audio, and DTS. Other audio formats from MKV files are converted to one of these compatible formats.

The conversion works, but VOB output will be downscaled to DVD resolution (720x480 NTSC or 720x576 PAL). DVD-Video format doesn't support 4K or HD resolutions-that's an inherent limitation of the DVD specification.

DVD specifications limit each VOB file to 1 GB for FAT32 filesystem compatibility. Longer videos are automatically split into multiple VOB files (VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc.) that play seamlessly in sequence.

Yes, VOB files can include subtitle streams. If your MKV has embedded subtitles, they can be converted and included in the VOB output. DVD subtitles are bitmap-based rather than text, so they become image overlays.

Yes. VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player (with codec pack), KMPlayer, and most media players can open VOB files directly. You don't need to burn a disc just to watch the video.

There's no strict length limit for conversion. However, a single-layer DVD holds about 4.7 GB (roughly 2 hours at good quality). Dual-layer DVDs hold 8.5 GB. Plan your bitrate accordingly for the final disc capacity.

Chapter markers aren't stored in VOB files themselves-they're defined in the IFO files that accompany VOBs on a DVD. DVD authoring software can recreate chapters, but they won't transfer automatically during file conversion.

VOB uses MPEG-2 video encoding but isn't identical. VOB is a container format based on MPEG-2 Program Stream with DVD-specific navigation packets (NAV packs) for menus and chapters. A raw MPEG-2 file won't have these DVD features.

If your MKV file is DRM-protected, conversion may be blocked or produce errors. Our converter works with standard, unprotected MKV files. Most personal recordings and downloads without DRM will convert successfully.

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