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VOB MKV
File conversion

Convert VOB to MKV

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Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 14, 2026
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Is it possible to convert VOB to MKV?
Yes - VOB converts to MKV.

You can do it right here with our free converter - no sign-up, and your file is deleted right after.

The fastest lossless path is MakeMKV, which repackages the MPEG-2 video and AC-3 audio from your DVD into a single .mkv without re-encoding. If smaller file size matters more, HandBrake re-encodes to H.264 or H.265, cutting size by up to 80%, but takes longer and permanently discards the original MPEG-2 stream.

8 programs
Also to MKV: USM · TP · MPEG4

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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VOB → MKV converterFREE
Drop a .VOB file here
or pick one - we convert it to .MKV and give you the file to download

Why convert VOB to MKV?

VOB files are split across multiple 1 GB chunks tied to a DVD's folder structure, making them awkward to play without the accompanying IFO files. .MKV consolidates an entire title into one self-contained file that most media players handle directly. It also stores multiple audio tracks, subtitle streams, and chapter markers in a single container - matching what was on the original disc.

How to convert VOB to MKV

MakeMKV FREE

Open your VIDEO_TS folder in MakeMKV, select the title, and click Make MKV - it remuxes losslessly in minutes with no quality loss.

HandBrake FREE

Open your VIDEO_TS folder, set the format to MKV, choose H.264 or H.265, then click Start Encode for a significantly smaller file.

Command line - ffmpeg CLI

Remux a single VOB losslessly with ffmpeg -i VTS_01_1.VOB -c copy output.mkv - note this omits chapter data stored in the IFO file.

Programs that convert VOB

HandBrake
AviDemux
ConvertXtoDVD
Freemake Video Converter
HDConvertToX
Movavi Video Converter Personal
Movavi VideoSuite Personal
SUPER

About these formats

.VOB DVD Video Object File

A VOB (DVD Video Object) file is the container that stores the actual video, audio, and subtitles on a DVD disc. VLC media player opens VOB files for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux. To…

Open .VOB details →
.MKV Matroska Video

An MKV file is a Matroska multimedia container that holds video, multiple audio tracks, subtitles and chapters in one file. Open it for free with VLC media player, or on Windows 11 with the…

Open .MKV details →

Quality & what to watch

  • MakeMKV remux preserves original MPEG-2 video and AC-3 audio with no quality loss; file size stays close to the source VOBs. HandBrake re-encoding can cut size by 50-80% but takes longer.
  • DVD subtitles are bitmap images (VobSub), not text - they carry over to MKV as image-based tracks, not SRT, so text search and styling are unavailable.
  • Chapter markers live in the IFO file, not the .vob itself - always point MakeMKV or HandBrake at the full VIDEO_TS folder rather than individual VOB files to preserve chapters.

Frequently asked questions

Does converting VOB to MKV with MakeMKV lose any quality?
No - MakeMKV does a lossless remux, copying the MPEG-2 video and AC-3 audio into MKV without re-encoding, so quality is identical to the source.
Why is my output MKV missing chapters?
Chapters come from the IFO file, not the VOB. Point MakeMKV or HandBrake at the full VIDEO_TS folder rather than a single .vob file to preserve chapter markers.
Which title should I pick in HandBrake when multiple titles appear?
The main movie is almost always the longest title in the list; shorter entries are typically menus, trailers, or bonus features.
Can I keep multiple audio tracks (different languages) in the MKV?
Yes - MakeMKV copies all tracks by default, HandBrake lets you add each language track in the Audio tab, and ffmpeg with -c copy copies every stream automatically.