Free online VOB to M2T converter

DVD video players and some HDV-oriented editing tools expect MPEG-2 transport stream data rather than a DVD’s VOB program stream. Converting the file can make the video easier to import, transmit, or archive without re-encoding it.

What the VOB format is

VOB, or Video Object, is the container used on DVD-Video discs. It stores MPEG-2 video, one or more audio tracks, subtitles, navigation-related data, and sometimes menu content; the accompanying .IFO and .BUP files hold navigation and backup information.

DVD authoring applications and standalone DVD recorders create VOB files. You encounter them in a disc’s VIDEO_TS folder, usually as files such as VTS_01_1.VOB. A single movie can be split across several sequential VOB files, so converting only one file may produce an incomplete title.

What the M2T format is

M2T is commonly used for an MPEG-2 transport stream, especially video captured from HDV camcorders. It carries packetized video and audio in a transport-stream container, which is better suited to transmission and some video-editing workflows than the DVD-oriented program stream used by VOB.

M2T is not the same extension as .M2TS, although both can contain MPEG-2 transport-stream data. M2T normally refers to an MPEG-2 transport stream, while M2TS is widely associated with Blu-ray and AVCHD media.

How to actually convert VOB to M2T

For an unencrypted VOB whose MPEG-2 video and audio are already compatible, FFmpeg can remux the streams without changing their quality:

ffmpeg -i input.VOB -map 0:v:0 -map 0:a:0? -c copy -f mpegts output.m2t

-c copy copies the existing streams instead of encoding them. The -map options select the first video stream and, if present, the first audio stream. To include all streams, use:

ffmpeg -i input.VOB -map 0 -c copy -f mpegts output.m2t

If the destination software rejects the original DVD audio or needs a different video profile, encode MPEG-2 video and AAC audio instead:

ffmpeg -i input.VOB -map 0:v:0 -map 0:a:0? -c:v mpeg2video -q:v 2 -c:a aac -b:a 192k -f mpegts output.m2t

For a DVD title split into several VOB files, first obtain the complete title through DVD-aware software, or concatenate only sequential parts from the same title before processing. Do not combine unrelated menu and title VOBs. If the source is copy-protected, FFmpeg will not decrypt it; use only files you are legally permitted to access.

Without installing software, you can use the free converter on 101convert.com: select the VOB file, choose M2T as the output format, start the conversion, and download the result.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

Remuxing preserves the original MPEG-2 quality but does not improve DVD resolution, bitrate, interlacing, or frame rate. DVD video is normally standard-definition MPEG-2, so changing its container does not turn it into HDV-quality footage.

VOB audio may be AC-3, MPEG audio, or PCM. MPEG-2 transport streams can carry several of these formats, but individual editors and hardware devices differ; transcoding the audio is often necessary when a copied stream will not import.

DVD video is commonly interlaced at 25 or 29.97 frames per second. Keep the original interlaced settings for archival or broadcast workflows; deinterlace only when the playback target requires progressive video.