How to Convert VOB to Audio
By Theodora Pennypacker
The VOB file format is used to compress media for publication onto DVDs. Since the files are digitally encoded, it is possible to convert a VOB file into a different form of media. Although VOB files can be transcoded into various types of digital video, it is also possible to isolate their soundtracks by exporting audio files from them. Many programs are capable of performing this audio extraction, including free-to-use applications from VideoLAN, Media-Convert and Zamzar. VideoLAN's VLC is an enhanced media player that can read VOB files and convert them into audio formats, such as OGG, MP3, AAC or FLAC. Meanwhile, both Media-Convert and Zamzar are online conversion services that can produce AAC, MP3 or WAV audio from VOB files. Zamzar can also prepare Dolby Digital audio by generating AC3 files from VOB files.
VLC
Step 1
Download and install VLC media player (see References). You can obtain the free application directly from the VideoLAN Project website.
Step 2
Open VLC. Go to "Media" and select "Convert/Save." In the "File" tab of the "Open Media" screen, hit the "Add" button and locate the VOB file in the file selection window. Double-click on the file name and it will be submitted into VLC for conversion.
Step 3
Hit the "Convert/Save" button at the bottom of the "Open Media" screen. In the "Convert" screen, go to the "Destination" field and hit the "Browse" button. Target a saving destination for the exported audio and click "Save."
Step 4
Open the "Profile" drop-down menu in the "Settings" section. Choose from the OGG, MP3, AAC or FLAC format options for exporting the VOB file's audio. Hit the "Start" button. Once the control bar on the VLC media player streams completely, the VOB file's exported audio will be available in the targeted saving destination.
Media-Convert
Step 1
Open your Internet browser and navigate to the Media-Convert website (see References). Make sure the "Local File Conversion" tab is displayed.
Step 2
Hit the "Browse" button next to the "File" field. Locate the VOB file in the file selection window. Double-click on the file name and it will be submitted to Media Convert for conversion. The "Input Format" drop-down menu will automatically display "DVD Video Object (.vob)" once the file has been loaded.
Step 3
Scroll down the page to locate the "Output Format" field. Leave "No Video Preset" selected in the first drop-down menu. Open the second drop-down menu and choose the desired format for the VOB file's exported audio. You can select from MP3, WAV or AAC. Hit the "OK" button. The VOB file will be uploaded to the online service and the file conversion will be initiated. You will be redirected to a download page when the exported audio file has been successfully created.
Step 4
Click on the exported audio's file name on the download page. Hit the "Save" button in the "File Download" dialog box. Target a saving destination in the "Save As" window and hit the "Save" button. When a "Download Complete" confirmation window appears, the audio file will be available in the targeted saving destination.
Zamzar
Step 1
Open your Internet browser and visit the Zamzar website (see References). Make sure the "Convert Files" tab is displayed.
Step 2
Hit the "Browse" button in the "Step 1" section. Locate the VOB file in the file selection window. Double-click on the file name and it will be submitted to Zamzar for conversion.
Step 3
Choose the format for the VOB file's exported audio in the "Step 2" section. Open the drop-down menu and choose from AAC, AC3, MP3 or WAV.
Step 4
Enter an email address in the "Step 3" section. A notification will be sent to this email address when the exported audio file is available for download. Hit the "Convert" button in the "Step 4" section. The VOB file will be uploaded to the online service and the file conversion will be initiated.
Step 5
Retrieve the exported audio file by following the download instructions in the notification email from Zamzar.
References
Tips
- You can view a DVD's VOB files by loading the disc into a DVD-ROM drive and opening its file directory. They are commonly located within the VIDEO_TS folder.
Warnings
- VOB files that are stored on copy-protected DVDs cannot be accessed or modified by file conversion applications. Since these discs are digitally encrypted, it is not possible to transcode their contents into other digital formats.
Writer Bio
Based in New York City, I am an online video producer who has more than five years of experience working in digital media. I specialize in video compression and distribution, video software, online video sharing and portable device use. I received my B.A. in Film Studies in 2005 from Vassar College.