Import VOB

[pdxrjt]

Hi, I just downloaded the trial of DVD Movie Factory 7. I know very little about making movies. I have a bunch of files in VOB format. Apparently, the trial version does not let me configure what it will open, but my question is, does the full version allow you to open and burn VOB format? TIA

[canuck]

Where did you get those vob files? Usually they are part of a DVD movie.
I don't use Movie Factory but would have thought that the program should have no problem with those files. In any case you could try changing the vob extension to mpg and see if the program accepts them

[Ken Berry]

As canuck has indicated, the only way you can burn VOB files is as part of a DVD -- not as separate clips. But you should be able to open the existing files using the import function if simply changing the extension to mpg does not work (though it usually does!)

[pdxrjt]

Well I had to check where it came from. My friend made a brief movie (as a test) using photos, photos with pan and scan and movie clips. Not knowing what to pick to compile and export it, he chose "video DVD format" as we will be burning it to DVD or Blue Ray. He did not intentionally select anything named VOB. We both thought it was an okay choice as it plays fine in Win 8.1 when you just click on the file. Thanks for the responses.

ps. Works fine when I changed it to mpg. Is there a better export format for burning to DVD/Blu Ray? TIA

[canuck]

A standard DVD contains a folder called Video_TS. This folder in turn contains a s number of files with the extension ifo, bup and vob. This structure is automatic and the user has no control over it

IFO Files give the DVD player important navigational information, like where a chapter starts, where a certain audio or subtitle stream is located, etc. This is the reason why it's only possible to rip certain parts of a movie (like a chapter) with a ripper which can read this files.

BUP files are just backup files off the IFOs.

A VOB contains several streams multiplexed together: Video, Audio and Subtitles.

Did your friend create a Video_TS folder when he exported the project? If yes then there is no further need to do anything but simple burn the Video_TS folder to a DVD

[pdxrjt]

Yes, apparently the file had the VOB extension after he burned his movie.

[Ken Berry]

Is there a better export format for burning to DVD/Blu Ray? TIA

If you are wanting to burn a DVD, then under the international standard, there is no alternative but to use standard def mpeg-2.

For Blu-Ray discs, under the international standard, you can use transport stream mpeg-2 or AVCHD mpeg-4.

[pdxrjt]

Thank you for the info.