ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert MP4 to VOB - Create DVD-Ready Video Files

Free online converter — No software installation required. Fast, secure & unlimited.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Need Your MP4 Videos in DVD-Compatible VOB Format?

MP4 files play perfectly on computers and smartphones, but standalone DVD players cannot read them. If you want to burn your MP4 videos to DVD for playback on home entertainment systems, car DVD players, or legacy equipment, you need VOB format. VOB (Video Object) is the container format used inside the VIDEO_TS folder on every DVD-Video disc.

Converting MP4 to VOB is the first step in creating a playable DVD. Our converter outputs properly formatted VOB files using MPEG-2 video compression, ready for DVD authoring software to process into a complete DVD-Video structure.

How to Convert MP4 to VOB

  1. Upload your MP4 file - Drag and drop or select any MP4 video from your device
  2. Confirm VOB output - Your file converts to DVD-compatible VOB format with MPEG-2 encoding
  3. Download your VOB file - Get your DVD-ready video file for authoring and burning

The conversion outputs a VOB file suitable for DVD authoring workflows. Processing time depends on file size and video length. No software installation required.

Understanding VOB Format and DVD-Video Structure

VOB files are not standalone video files you simply burn to disc. Understanding how DVDs work helps you complete the entire workflow successfully.

  • VOB (Video Object) - Container format holding MPEG-2 video, audio (AC3/PCM), subtitles, and navigation data in a multiplexed stream
  • VIDEO_TS folder - Required directory structure on DVD-Video discs containing VOB, IFO, and BUP files
  • IFO files - Information files containing chapter markers, menu navigation, audio track locations, and playback instructions
  • BUP files - Backup copies of IFO files for disc error recovery
  • 1 GB file limit - DVD specification requires VOB files under 1 GB; longer videos split across multiple VOB files (VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc.)

A converted VOB file alone creates a data disc, not a playable DVD. You need DVD authoring software to generate the complete VIDEO_TS structure with proper IFO navigation files.

When MP4 to VOB Conversion Is Necessary

Burning Playable DVDs for Home Players

Your DVD player only reads DVD-Video format, not data discs with MP4 files. Converting to VOB with proper MPEG-2 encoding is essential. Most DVD authoring software accepts VOB input directly, making subsequent steps smoother than providing raw MP4 files that require additional transcoding.

Preserving Family Videos in DVD Format

Some users prefer DVD as an archival format for family events, weddings, and home movies. VOB format with its MPEG-2 video remains universally playable on existing DVD players worldwide, providing long-term accessibility without requiring specific software or devices.

Creating DVDs for Older Relatives

Not everyone has smart TVs or streaming devices. DVD players remain common in many households, especially among older generations. Converting your smartphone videos or digital camera footage to VOB lets you create physical discs that play on familiar equipment.

Professional DVD Duplication

Duplicating educational content, training materials, or promotional videos for distribution often requires DVD format. VOB files feed directly into professional replication workflows and authoring tools like DVD Studio Pro, Adobe Encore, or DVDStyler.

NTSC vs PAL: Choosing the Right DVD Format

DVD-Video uses two television standards with different technical specifications. Using the wrong format means your disc will not play correctly on players in that region.

  • NTSC (Americas, Japan) - 720x480 resolution at 29.97 frames per second
  • PAL (Europe, Australia, most of Asia) - 720x576 resolution at 25 frames per second

Choose based on where the DVD will be played, not where you are located. A DVD burned for relatives in Europe needs PAL format, regardless of where you create it. Most modern DVD players are multi-standard and play both formats, but older players are region-locked.

If your source MP4 is 30 fps NTSC content converted to PAL, the video speeds up slightly (approximately 4%). For critical timing like music videos or synchronized content, this matters. For family videos, most viewers will not notice.

Technical Specifications: MP4 vs VOB

Understanding the technical differences helps set realistic expectations for the conversion output.

  • Video codec - MP4 typically uses H.264/H.265; VOB requires MPEG-2 (less efficient compression)
  • Maximum bitrate - DVD-Video allows up to 9.8 Mbps combined video and audio
  • Audio format - VOB uses AC3 (Dolby Digital) at 48 kHz or uncompressed PCM; MP3 is not DVD-compliant
  • Resolution limits - VOB maxes at 720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC); 1080p and 4K content will be downscaled
  • File size increase - Expect VOB files 2-4 times larger than source MP4 at equivalent quality due to MPEG-2 efficiency

In our testing, a typical 500 MB MP4 file (H.264, 1080p) converts to approximately 1-2 GB in VOB format. This is normal behavior due to the older MPEG-2 compression standard required by DVD-Video specification.

Complete DVD Creation Workflow

Converting MP4 to VOB is step one. Here is the complete process for creating a playable DVD:

  1. Convert MP4 to VOB - Use our converter to create DVD-compatible video files
  2. Import into authoring software - DVDStyler (free), ImgBurn, Toast, or professional tools
  3. Create menus and chapters - Add navigation, scene selection, and title screens if desired
  4. Build VIDEO_TS structure - Authoring software generates VOB, IFO, and BUP files in proper structure
  5. Burn to disc - Write the VIDEO_TS folder to a blank DVD-R or DVD+R

Skipping the authoring step and burning VOB files directly creates a data disc that computers can play but standalone DVD players will reject.

Batch Convert Multiple MP4 Files

Creating a DVD compilation from multiple video clips? Upload and convert multiple MP4 files at once. Batch processing saves significant time when preparing home video collections, event recordings, or multi-chapter content for DVD authoring.

A standard single-layer DVD holds approximately 4.7 GB (about 2 hours of video at typical quality). Plan your batch conversions accordingly, and consider dual-layer discs for longer content.

Works on Any Device

Our browser-based converter runs entirely in your web browser. No software to install, no plugins required, and no account needed.

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

Convert your MP4 files from any device, then transfer the VOB output to your computer running DVD authoring software for the final burning step.

Pro Tip

For best DVD quality, use a video bitrate of 6-8 Mbps. Going higher wastes disc space with no visible improvement on standard TV screens, while lower bitrates show compression artifacts especially in scenes with motion or fine detail.

Common Mistake

Users burn VOB files directly to DVD as data files instead of using authoring software. This creates a disc that computers can play, but standalone DVD players show 'no disc' or 'unsupported format' because the required IFO navigation files are missing.

Best For

Creating playable DVDs for home players, car entertainment systems, family gifts, archiving important videos in universally playable format, and preparing content for professional DVD replication services.

Not Recommended

Not ideal for videos you plan to share online, stream to modern devices, or store efficiently. VOB files are 2-4x larger than MP4 with no benefit on smart TVs, phones, or computers. Keep MP4 for digital distribution and convert to VOB only when physical DVD playback is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A VOB file alone does not create a playable DVD. You need DVD authoring software (like DVDStyler, ImgBurn, or Toast) to generate the complete VIDEO_TS folder structure with IFO and BUP navigation files. Simply copying a VOB to a disc creates a data DVD that computers can play but standalone DVD players will reject.

Some quality reduction is unavoidable. VOB uses MPEG-2 compression which is less efficient than the H.264/H.265 codecs in modern MP4 files. Additionally, DVD-Video resolution maxes at 720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC), so 1080p and 4K content will be downscaled. For best results, keep your original MP4 as a master copy.

MPEG-2 compression (required for DVD-Video) is 2-4 times less efficient than modern H.264. A 500 MB MP4 file typically becomes 1-2 GB as a VOB. This is normal and explains why DVDs hold only about 2 hours of video despite having 4.7 GB capacity.

Choose based on where the DVD will be played. NTSC (720x480, 29.97fps) is standard in North America, Japan, and parts of South America. PAL (720x576, 25fps) is used in Europe, Australia, and most of Asia. Most modern players handle both, but older players may reject the wrong format.

VIDEO_TS is the required directory structure on DVD-Video discs. It contains VOB files (video content), IFO files (navigation and chapter information), and BUP files (backup copies of IFO). DVD authoring software creates this structure automatically from your converted VOB files.

Yes, but the video will be downscaled. DVD-Video maximum resolution is 720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC). Your 4K or 1080p content will look significantly less sharp on DVD. For high-resolution playback, consider Blu-ray format or keep the original MP4 for streaming devices.

Common causes: burning VOB files as data instead of using DVD authoring software, wrong region format (NTSC vs PAL), incompatible audio codec (MP3 instead of AC3), or disc not finalized. Ensure you use proper DVD authoring software to create the complete VIDEO_TS structure before burning.

A single-layer DVD-R holds 4.7 GB, approximately 2 hours of video at good quality (6-8 Mbps). Dual-layer discs hold 8.5 GB (about 4 hours). Longer videos require lower bitrates which reduces quality, or multiple discs. Unlike MP4, VOB files cannot achieve high compression ratios.

DVDStyler (Windows, Mac, Linux) is a popular free option for creating DVD menus and burning discs. ImgBurn (Windows) handles burning but requires separate tools for menu creation. Both accept VOB input and generate proper VIDEO_TS structures for playable discs.

Yes, for specific use cases. DVD players remain common in households, cars, and institutions. Physical discs work without internet, suit gift-giving, and play on equipment that older family members already own. VOB/DVD is also used for professional duplication and archival where physical media is preferred.

MP4 Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.