Using the VLC media player, available for all popular operating systems, you can play most of the VOB files. Windows users can take advantage of the alternative represented by the MPC-HC multimedia player, which works in a very similar way to VLC. If you have a Plex server, you can convert VOB files to MKV format, making it easy to stream them, without any loss in terms of image quality. It is also possible to use VOB files to create a DVD and be able to play it using any player of this type of optical media. When VOB files are encrypted, however, they cannot be played by following normal procedures.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using the VLC Media Player
Step 1. Open the internet browser of your choice and use it to access the videolan.org website
The VLC media player is an open-source project, so it's completely free. It is a program that can play virtually any video format, including VOB files.
Step 2. Hit the "Download VLC" button
The download of the correct installation file should start automatically, based on your operating system. If the installation file is incorrect (for example if you have downloaded an EXE file, but you are using a MacOS system), click the image relating to the logo of the platform in use (Windows, Linux, Android, etc.) located below the "Download VLC" button.
Step 3. After the download is complete, run the VLC installation file
This will start the program installation procedure. The downloaded file will be automatically saved in the "Download" folder (unless you have indicated a different path). You can trace this file using the "Download" section of the internet browser used to download it.
Step 4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to proceed with the installation of VLC
The procedure varies depending on your computer, Windows or MacOS, but in general, you can use the default configuration settings.
Step 5. Launch the VLC media player
Once the program is installed, you can start it by accessing the menu or the "Start" screen (on Windows systems) or the "Applications" folder (on MacOS systems).
Step 6. Go to the "Media" (on Windows systems) or "File" (on MacOS systems) menu
This is the menu that contains the options for loading and opening various media files within VLC.
Step 7. Choose "Open Folder" (on Windows systems) or "Open File" (on MacOS systems)
This will bring up a dialog box that will allow you to access the VIDEO_TS folder which contains the VOB file under consideration.
Step 8. Browse the contents of your computer's hard drive for the folder that contains the VOB file you want to play
If it has been extracted (in jargon "ripped") directly from a DVD, this folder is usually named "VIDEO_TS".
Step 9. Navigate to the selected folder to start playing the desired VOB file
By opening the chosen folder within the program, the VLC media player will automatically start playing the relevant video as if you had physically inserted the relevant DVD into the optical player. You will be able to navigate through the DVD menu, special contents, chapters and any other elements present.
Method 2 of 4: Using MPC-HC (for Windows systems only)
Step 1. Determine if you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating system
In order to download the correct version of the program, you need to know this information.
- Press the key combination ⊞ Win + Pause or select the "Computer" item in the "Start" menu with the right mouse button, then choose the "Properties" option from the context menu that appeared.
- Look for the "System type" item located in the "System" section of the window that appeared. If it says "64-bit" or "x64", you are using a 64-bit operating system. Conversely, if it says "32-bit", "x86" or contains no reference to bits, you are using a 32-bit operating system.
Step 2. Log in to the MPC-HC website
It is an open-source multimedia player, therefore completely free, capable of playing VOB files and most of the most popular and used video formats. You can download the relevant installation file from the website mpc-hc.org/downloads/
MPC-HC is unfortunately only available for Windows systems
Step 3. Select the "Installer" link for the version of the Windows operating system you are using
This way its installation file will be downloaded directly to your computer.
Step 4. Run the installation file and follow the instructions that appear on the screen
The file is small in size, so the download should only take a few seconds. Once the download is complete, run it and follow the on-screen instructions to successfully install MPC-HC on your computer. Again, you can use the default configuration settings.
Step 5. After the installation is complete, start MPC-HC
You have the option to use the installation file directly or the shortcut that was created on the desktop.
Step 6. Access the "File" menu, then select the "Quick File Open" item
This will bring up the relevant dialog box.
Step 7. Select the folder which contains the VOB files you want to play
Normally, when you rip the contents of a DVD and save it in VOB format, a VIDEO_TS folder is automatically created in which all the generated VOB files are saved. Use the dialog box that appeared to access this folder.
Step 8. Select the "VIDEO_TS.ifo" file
This file contains the list of all the contents of the DVD in question, so that the MPC-HC program can play the menus and all the special features included.
You can still select a single VOB file, but this will only play the portion of the DVD it refers to
Step 9. Open the file
DVD playback will start automatically and will play all related VOB files in the correct sequence.
Method 3 of 4: Using a Plex Media Server
Step 1. Download the MakeMKV software
The Plex program has considerable difficulties in playing VOB files, so it may make more sense and practical to use MakeMKV to convert them to MKV format. This way you won't lose anything in terms of picture quality, but sadly you will lose the ability to navigate through the menus of the original DVD. However, the individual chapters will be preserved.
Go to the makemkv.com/ website, then select the "Download MakeMKV for Windows" button to download its installation file
Step 2. Once the download is complete, run the installation file and follow the instructions that appear on the screen
Again, you can use the default configuration settings. The MakeMKV program does not install any spyware or adware.
Step 3. Launch MakeMKV
You can do this directly from the installation wizard window or by using the shortcut you created on your desktop.
Step 4. Press the "Open files" button
It is located in the upper left corner of the MakeMKV window and is characterized by a document-shaped icon on which the image of a stylized camera appears.
Step 5. Select the folder which contains the VOB files you want to play
Normally, when you rip the contents of a DVD and save it in VOB format, a VIDEO_TS folder is automatically created in which all the generated VOB files are saved. Use the dialog box that appeared to access this folder.
Step 6. Select the "VIDEO_TS.ifo" file
This file contains the list of all the contents of the DVD in question, that is the list of all the VOB files that compose it, whose function is to indicate to the multimedia player in which order they are to be played. Select the target file to allow MakeMKV to load all VOB files and convert them into one MKV file.
Step 7. Choose the title you want to give the final file
In the case of a film, you should choose the original title of the film in full. If the DVD references episodes from one or more seasons of a TV series, you could create a single MKV file for each episode, making it easier to select from within Plex.
You also have the option to choose the audio track and subtitles to include within the final MKV file. MKV files can include multiple audio tracks within them
Step 8. Start the conversion process
MakeMKV will create an MKV file from the selected video and audio tracks. The time required for this to complete depends on the size of the VOB files.
Step 9. When done, add the new MKV file to your Plex media library
The Plex program is capable of reading and decoding MKV files in real time, so you shouldn't have any problems when playing this type of movies. In most cases, Plex will automatically find the correct information for the selected video. Search the web for more information on how to add new media to your Plex library.
Method 4 of 4: Burn VOB Files to DVD
Step 1. Download the ImgBurn software
It is a free program that allows you to create a DVD starting from the VOB files contained in your VIDEO_TS folder. The resulting DVD can then be played by any player capable of reading burned discs. Go to the "imgburn.com/index.php?act=download" website to download the program installation file.
- When choosing the server to download from, make sure that no specific program is required to save the installation file locally. The servers labeled "Mirror 5" and "Mirror 6" are the safest choice for downloading.
- Avoid using the ImgBurn server (identified by the wording "Mirror 7"), as this installation file contains additional adware, which you will need to disable during the installation process to prevent it from being installed along with the program.
Step 2. Launch the installation program
Once the download is complete, run the installation file. You can do this by accessing the "Download" folder on the computer or browser you used to download it. Again, you can use the default configuration settings directly.
Read or check each screen of the installation wizard carefully, as it may contain the installation of unwanted adware, depending on the server you used to download the ImgBurn installation file
Step 3. Start ImgBurn
At the end of the installation procedure, a shortcut to the program will be created directly on the desktop. Selecting it you will be greeted by a welcome message and from the main program screen.
Step 4. Choose the "Burn files and folders" option from the main menu
This will bring up the window to select the VOB files with which a DVD image will be created, which will then be burned onto the optical media. This mode of operation of ImgBurn preserves all menus and functionalities of the original DVD.
Step 5. Press the "Browse for a folder" button
The system dialog will be displayed. The button in question is placed in the "Origin" box of the ImgBurn window.
Step 6. Select the VIDEO_TS folder
It contains all the VOB files that must be burned to the DVD. By accessing this folder, ImgBurn will automatically load all the VOB files needed to create the DVD.
Step 7. Press the "Calculate image size" button
It features a small calculator and is placed at the bottom of the "Information" tab. This will calculate the final size of the image file, based on which you will be notified if you need to use a single-layer or dual-layer DVD.
Step 8. Insert the recommended DVD type into the burner
After the image file size determination process is complete, check the "Min. Required Media" item. Use the value in this field to choose the type of blank DVD to use. Most movies can be safely burned to DVD ± R / RW.
Step 9. Go to the "Options" tab
It lists disk-related options.
Step 10. Choose the "ISO9660 + UDF" entry from the "File System" drop-down menu
The final DVD will be encoded so that it can be read by most DVD players on the market.
Step 11. Go to the "Labels" tab
From here you can enter a series of additional data that will make it easier for the DVD player to read the disc.
Step 12. Enter a label in the "ISO9660" field
You can use any title you want, the important thing is that it does not contain empty spaces.
Step 13. Press the "Copy" button next to the "ISO9660" field
The inserted label will also be automatically copied to the other fields that can be burned to disc (this information must be identical).
Step 14. Press the "Create" button
Burning of the image to the blank DVD in the computer's burner will start. The time required to complete this step depends on the write speed of the burner and the size of the video files.
Step 15. Play the newly created DVD
Once the disc writing process is complete, the resulting DVD can be used with most DVD players on the market. Some of these may experience problems playing burned DVDs, in which case they will not be able to display their images on the screen.
