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Convert VOB to M4V - Play DVD Content on Apple Devices

Transform DVD VOB files into Apple-friendly M4V format. Watch your DVDs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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DVD Files Not Playing on Apple Devices?

You have video files from a DVD sitting in a VIDEO_TS folder, but your iPhone or iPad won't recognize them. VOB files are the standard format for DVD video content, but Apple devices don't support them natively.

Converting VOB to M4V solves this problem. M4V is Apple's preferred video format, designed specifically for iTunes and iOS devices. Your VOB files become instantly playable across your entire Apple ecosystem.

How to Convert VOB to M4V

  1. Upload your VOB file - Drag and drop or select from your computer
  2. Choose M4V as output - M4V is selected for optimal Apple compatibility
  3. Download your video - Ready to import into iTunes or play on any Apple device

The entire process runs in your browser. No software installation required.

Why Convert to M4V?

M4V is essentially Apple's version of MP4. Apple created this format to work seamlessly with iTunes, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. While technically similar to MP4, M4V files are recognized immediately by Apple software without any compatibility questions.

In our testing, M4V files imported into iTunes library more reliably than other formats, with proper metadata and chapter support preserved when available.

Key M4V Benefits

  • Native iTunes integration - Add to your library with proper organization
  • iOS device sync - Transfer to iPhone and iPad through iTunes or Finder
  • Apple TV playback - Stream or sync to your television
  • QuickTime support - Plays natively on Mac without extra software

Understanding VOB Files

VOB (Video Object) files are the container format used on DVDs. When you open a DVD folder on your computer, you'll find these files in the VIDEO_TS directory. Each VOB file can contain video, audio tracks, subtitles, and menu data.

The problem with VOB files:

  • Apple devices have no native VOB support
  • Files are often split into multiple parts (VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc.)
  • Uses older MPEG-2 codec that's less efficient
  • Large file sizes compared to modern formats

Converting to M4V gives you a single, efficient file that Apple devices understand.

Common Use Cases

Digitizing DVD Collection

You have a shelf of DVDs collecting dust. Convert the VOB files to M4V and build a digital library in iTunes. Watch your old movies and shows on any Apple device.

Travel Entertainment

Long flight coming up? Convert DVD content to M4V and load videos onto your iPad. No need to carry discs or a DVD player.

Home Video Preservation

Family videos burned to DVD years ago can be converted to M4V for long-term storage and easy sharing across Apple devices.

VOB vs M4V Comparison

FeatureVOBM4V
CodecMPEG-2H.264/HEVC
ContainerDVD-specificApple MP4 variant
File SizeLargerSmaller (better compression)
Apple SupportNoneFull native support
iTunes CompatibleNoYes
iOS PlaybackNoYes

Alternative Output Formats

M4V isn't your only option. Depending on your needs, consider:

  • VOB to MP4 - Universal format that works on everything, not just Apple devices
  • VOB to MKV - Better for preserving multiple audio tracks and subtitles from DVDs
  • VOB to MOV - Another Apple-friendly option, common in video editing

Choose M4V when your primary goal is Apple device playback and iTunes library integration.

Works in Any Browser

Our VOB to M4V converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • No software downloads or installations
  • No account registration required

Upload, convert, download. That's all there is to it.

Pro Tip

When converting a full DVD, focus on the largest VOB files in the VIDEO_TS folder. The main movie content is typically in VTS_01_1.VOB through VTS_01_x.VOB. Smaller VOB files usually contain menus, trailers, or special features.

Common Mistake

Converting every VOB file from a DVD without checking what each contains. Many users end up with converted menu screens, FBI warnings, and trailers they didn't want. Preview or note file sizes before bulk converting.

Best For

Users who want to digitize their DVD collection for playback on Apple devices. Ideal for building an iTunes movie library that syncs across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.

Not Recommended

If you need maximum compatibility beyond Apple devices, use MP4 instead of M4V. If preserving multiple audio tracks or subtitle options from the DVD is critical, MKV is a better container choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

VOB (Video Object) is the container format used on DVDs. These files are found in the VIDEO_TS folder and contain video, audio, subtitles, and menu data encoded in MPEG-2 format.

M4V is Apple's video container format, essentially a variant of MP4. It's designed for optimal compatibility with iTunes, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac computers. Some M4V files can include DRM protection, but converted files are DRM-free.

Conversion from VOB to M4V re-encodes the video using H.264 codec. While technically a generation loss occurs, modern encoding produces excellent quality. Most users cannot see a difference on typical viewing devices.

Yes, you can upload and convert multiple VOB files. However, note that DVDs often split movies across several VOB files. You may want to merge them first or convert the main content files.

M4V and MP4 are nearly identical technically. M4V is Apple's branded version that integrates better with iTunes and Apple devices. You can often rename .m4v to .mp4 and vice versa without issues.

Yes, M4V files import directly into iTunes (or the TV app on newer macOS). Simply drag the file into the library or use File > Import. The video will appear in your Movies or Home Videos section.

Subtitle handling depends on how they're embedded in the VOB file. Hard-coded (burned-in) subtitles are always preserved. Separate subtitle tracks may not transfer automatically. For subtitle-heavy content, consider MKV format instead.

Conversion time depends on file size and your device performance. A typical 1GB VOB file converts in 2-5 minutes on modern computers. Larger DVD rips take proportionally longer.

Yes, M4V plays on Windows using VLC, Windows Media Player (with codecs), or iTunes for Windows. Android devices can play M4V using VLC or MX Player. However, if cross-platform compatibility is your priority, MP4 may be a better choice.

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