Free online TOD to VOB converter

JVC Everio camcorders store some recordings as TOD files, while DVD authoring software and DVD players expect VOB files. Converting the footage is useful when preparing a standard-definition DVD or opening the video in software that supports DVD-Video containers.

What the TOD format is

TOD is a video container used by JVC Everio high-definition camcorders, including models such as the GZ-HD7 and GZ-HD3. It normally contains MPEG-2 video in an MPEG transport-stream structure, often with AC-3 audio, and may be accompanied by an .MOI metadata file. TOD recordings commonly appear after copying footage directly from the camcorder or its storage media.

What the VOB format is

VOB is the container used for the audio, video, subtitles, and navigation-related data on a DVD-Video disc. DVD-compatible VOB files generally contain MPEG-2 video with AC-3, MPEG audio, or PCM audio and use standard DVD resolutions such as 720×480 for NTSC or 720×576 for PAL.

A VOB can be played as an individual video file, but a complete playable DVD also requires IFO navigation files, BUP backups, and the correct VIDEO_TS directory structure. VOB is therefore useful for DVD creation and compatibility with older DVD software, not for retaining the original high-definition TOD quality.

How to actually convert TOD to VOB

FFmpeg is suitable for converting the MPEG-2 transport stream into DVD-compatible MPEG-2 output. Install FFmpeg, place the TOD file in an accessible folder, open a terminal in that folder, and use the command matching the television standard:

ffmpeg -i input.tod -target ntsc-dvd -aspect 16:9 -b:v 6000k -maxrate 8000k -bufsize 1835k -acodec ac3 -b:a 192k output.vob

For PAL DVD output, replace ntsc-dvd with pal-dvd:

ffmpeg -i input.tod -target pal-dvd -aspect 16:9 -b:v 6000k -maxrate 8000k -bufsize 1835k -acodec ac3 -b:a 192k output.vob

Use -aspect 4:3 if the source was recorded in 4:3. The commands may re-encode the video because TOD footage is often high-definition and does not meet DVD-Video resolution limits. Replace input.tod with the actual filename and choose a different output name for each recording.

For a real DVD, do not stop at the standalone VOB. Import the converted video into DVD authoring software and select New DVD → Add video → Create or burn DVD, or use a compatible authoring workflow that generates the VIDEO_TS folder and its IFO and BUP files. You can also convert the file for free on the 101convert.com website without installing software.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

DVD-Video is limited to standard definition, so converting a 1440×1080 or 1920×1080 TOD recording to VOB reduces resolution and cannot be reversed. Use a high-quality source bitrate, but keep the total video and audio bitrate within the DVD capacity and authoring tool limits.

Choose NTSC or PAL according to the intended player and television system; changing standards can require both frame-rate conversion and scaling. If the resulting VOB has no sound, the source may use an audio codec unsupported by the selected DVD profile, in which case explicitly converting to AC-3 as shown above usually resolves the problem.