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Asked: 2024-09-25T19:32:12+05:30 In:

What steps should I follow to play VOB files that are extracted from a DVD on my Ubuntu system?

I’ve been trying to watch some old DVDs that I have lying around, but I decided to extract the VOB files from them and play them on my Ubuntu system instead of just popping the discs in. Honestly, I thought it would be a pretty straightforward process, but here I am, stuck and scratching my head about how to actually get these files to play.

First off, I extracted the VOB files and saved them on my hard drive, so that part’s done. I’ve got my DVD player software, but it doesn’t seem to recognize the VOB format, or it just gives me an error—I really can’t tell. I figured that I might need a different media player for this. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to use? I know VLC is popular, but I’m not sure if it will handle VOB files specifically, since it might depend on the codecs or something.

Another thing I’ve been wondering is whether I need to install any additional packages or libraries to play these files smoothly. I’ve heard about all these codec packs for Windows, but does Linux work the same way? If so, what do I need? Also, I’m curious if there are any command-line options I should consider, or is it all just done within the GUI of the player? Sometimes I feel like using the terminal is a black hole of information—I just don’t want to mess anything up.

Oh, and speaking of formats, I found out that VOB files can be kind of tricky with their structure. Do I need to worry about selecting the right files if they were split or if there are multiple titles? Like, should I be looking for a specific “main movie” file or something, or will any of the VOB files just work?

If anyone has been through this process before and can walk me through the steps to get everything set up, I’d really appreciate it. I just want to settle down with a bowl of popcorn and actually watch something nostalgic without all this hassle! Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers



    1. Help with VOB Files on Ubuntu

      Playing VOB files on Ubuntu

      Sounds like you’re having quite the adventure with those old DVDs! No worries, it can be a bit confusing. First things first, VLC is actually a solid choice for playing VOB files. It’s pretty versatile and usually handles different formats without any issue.

      Installing VLC

      If you haven’t installed VLC yet, you can do that easily. Just open a terminal and run:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install vlc

      Codecs and Libraries

      About those codecs, Linux doesn’t really work like Windows with huge codec packs. Most of the time, VLC comes with what you need to play most formats, including VOB files. But if you’re having issues, make sure your system is updated:

      sudo apt upgrade

      Playing VOB Files

      When it comes to the actual VOB files, they can sometimes be split up into several files, especially if the DVD has multiple titles or chapters. You generally want to look for files named something like VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc. The main movie is usually in the first one, so start with that.

      Using Terminal vs GUI

      You don’t really need to mess around with the command line for VLC unless you want to. You can just open VLC and drag the VOB files directly into it, or use the “Media” menu to open them. But if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also play a file using the terminal:

      vlc /path/to/your/file/VTS_01_1.VOB

      Don’t Stress! Just Enjoy!

      In the end, it’s all about finding the right file and enjoying your movie. Just make sure to grab that main VOB file—don’t worry too much about the rest. Grab your popcorn, and good luck!



    2. To play VOB files extracted from DVDs on your Ubuntu system, VLC Media Player is indeed a solid choice as it is well-equipped to handle various file formats, including VOB. If you haven’t installed VLC yet, you can easily do so via the terminal with the command sudo apt install vlc. This should cover most of your needs without requiring any additional codec packs, as VLC comes with its own built-in codecs. Once you’ve opened VLC, simply drag and drop the VOB files into the player or use Media > Open File to browse for them. If you encounter issues with playback, ensure you have the necessary libraries and dependencies. You can install the libdvdcss2 package to improve compatibility with encrypted DVDs by running sudo apt install libdvdcss2.

      Regarding the structure of VOB files, it’s essential to be aware that a complete DVD video often consists of several VOB files, especially if the content exceeds a certain size. The main movie is typically located in one of the larger VOB files, often named VTS_01_1.VOB for the first title set. When playing these files, you can start with VTS_01_1.VOB or any of the sequential parts, as VLC is capable of handling multiple VOB files in a series. For users who prefer the command line, you can also start VLC with a specific VOB file using vlc /path/to/your/file.VOB, which can save time if you have multiple files to navigate. By keeping these pointers in mind, you should be able to enjoy your nostalgic movies without further hassle!


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