Why Extract Audio from VOB Files?
VOB files are the video containers found on DVDs, stored in the VIDEO_TS folder. They contain video, audio, subtitles, and menu data all bundled together. Sometimes you just want the audio track - perhaps a concert recording, movie soundtrack, or spoken content.
Converting VOB to M4A extracts the audio and packages it in Apple's preferred format. M4A files play directly in iTunes, sync seamlessly with iPhones and iPads, and offer better compression than MP3 while maintaining quality. If you have VOB files from old DVDs, extracting the audio lets you enjoy that content on modern devices.
How to Convert VOB to M4A
- Upload your VOB file - Drag and drop or click to select your DVD video file
- Select M4A as output - Choose M4A for optimal Apple device compatibility
- Download your audio - Get your extracted audio file ready for iTunes
The entire process runs in your browser. No software to install, no account required.
VOB vs M4A: Understanding the Formats
VOB (Video Object) is the DVD-Video format that stores multiplexed audio, video, and subtitle streams. A single VOB file can contain multiple audio tracks in different languages, typically encoded as AC3 (Dolby Digital) or LPCM.
M4A is an audio-only container using AAC (Advanced Audio Coding). It delivers better sound quality than MP3 at similar file sizes and is the native format for iTunes purchases. In our testing, a 10-minute audio track extracted from a VOB file typically produces an M4A file around 15-20MB at high quality - roughly 10 times smaller than the original VOB segment.
| Feature | VOB | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Video container | Audio only |
| Typical codec | AC3, LPCM, MPEG | AAC |
| File size | Large (includes video) | Small (audio only) |
| iTunes support | No | Native |
| iPhone/iPad | No | Yes |
Common Use Cases
Concert DVDs to Playlist
Have a live concert on DVD? Extract the audio tracks to M4A and add them to your music library. Listen to the performance on your commute without needing to watch the video.
Movie Soundtracks
Some film scores are only available on DVD releases. Converting the audio lets you enjoy Hans Zimmer or John Williams on your morning jog.
Educational Content
Lectures, language courses, and documentaries on DVD become portable audio content. Learn while driving or exercising.
Archiving Audio
DVDs degrade over time. Extracting audio to M4A creates a digital backup of irreplaceable recordings like family events or out-of-print releases.
Audio Quality Considerations
DVD audio is typically encoded at 48kHz sample rate with bitrates ranging from 192kbps (AC3) to 1536kbps (LPCM). Our converter preserves as much quality as possible when transcoding to M4A's AAC format.
For most content, the extracted M4A will sound indistinguishable from the DVD audio. If your source VOB contains high-fidelity LPCM audio and you need lossless quality, consider converting to VOB to FLAC instead.
When to Choose a Different Format
M4A is ideal for Apple ecosystems, but other situations call for different formats:
- Universal compatibility - VOB to MP3 works on virtually every device ever made
- Lossless archiving - VOB to WAV preserves uncompressed audio for editing
- Open source preference - VOB to OGG avoids proprietary formats entirely
M4A strikes the best balance between quality and file size for everyday listening on Apple devices.
Works on Any Device
Our converter runs entirely in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets
No plugins or downloads required. Your files stay on your device throughout the conversion process.