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How-To Guide

How to Convert MP4 to VOB

VOB (Video Object) is the format used inside DVDs — every commercial DVD movie stores video as VOB files in a VIDEO_TS folder. Converting MP4 to VOB is the first step in authoring a DVD that plays in standalone DVD players (vs. just data DVDs that play on computers).

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FormatDrop doesn't convert MP4 to VOB yet. The methods below use free tools that do. FormatDrop's own converters cover common image, audio, video and PDF formats, all in your browser.

Make a playable DVD from MP4

  1. 1

    DVDStyler (free, Windows, Mac, Linux)

    Create a new project (pick PAL or NTSC to match your TV region), drag the MP4 in, add a menu if you like, then File → Burn DVD. DVDStyler re-encodes to DVD MPEG-2, builds the VIDEO_TS folder with its VOB, IFO and BUP files, and can burn the disc or save an ISO.

  2. 2

    FFmpeg + dvdauthor (command line)

    Encode to DVD specs: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -target ntsc-dvd -aspect 16:9 output.vob (use pal-dvd for PAL). Then build the DVD folder: dvdauthor -o dvd/ -t output.vob and dvdauthor -o dvd/ -T.

  3. 3

    Burn the disc

    Burn the VIDEO_TS folder as a video DVD: ImgBurn on Windows (Write files/folders to disc), or let DVDStyler burn it. A plain VOB copied onto a data disc won't play in most standalone DVD players.

Why convert MP4 to VOB?

VOB is the format that lives inside DVDs — designed in 1996 and unchanged since. Converting MP4 to VOB is how you bridge modern video files to physical media that your old DVD player accepts.

Frequently asked questions

Why convert MP4 to VOB in 2026?
Compatibility with standalone DVD players is the only reason. If you have a relative who only watches discs on a DVD player, or you're archiving home videos to a physical format, you need VOB. For computer playback, MP4 is always better.
FFmpeg command for MP4 to VOB?
`ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -target ntsc-dvd -aspect 16:9 output.vob` (NTSC). For PAL: `-target pal-dvd`. The `-target` flag applies all DVD-Video specs automatically.
How long can a single-layer DVD hold?
A standard DVD-R holds about 4.7 GB, which equates to roughly 2 hours of standard-definition VOB at typical bitrates. Dual-layer DVD-R DL holds 8.5 GB — about 4 hours. Adjust your VOB bitrate to fit your runtime onto the disc.
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