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How do I convert a video from one format, in this case a .vob into another, say .avi?

I have a DVD of 4.2 GB and would like to convert that to a smaller filesize and different format of an .avi file of around 700 MB.

I'm working on a Windows XP machine.

9 Answers 9

14

I'm very happy with Handbrake, an open-source, GPL-licensed, multiplatform, multithreaded video transcoder, available for MacOS X, Linux and Windows. VLC is another good option.

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  • What is the average speed when you are converting with Handbrake? I'm converting .vob (4,2 GB) to .avi. What should be the size of .avi and the average speed while converting?
    – MladenB
    Sep 18, 2009 at 14:16
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For video conversion of all types, the common favourite is Handbrake. Not only will it support most filetypes (it even has nice presets for common media players, such as iPod, PSP, Apple TV etc), it is available for most platforms.

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  • Is this wrong? Why the down vote?
    – Josh Hunt
    Sep 17, 2009 at 14:30
  • I'm assuming someone ignorant saw a Mac screenshot and thought you didn't realize the part about Windows XP in the original question, even though handbrake has Windows builds.
    – user1931
    Sep 17, 2009 at 16:22
  • 2
    I hate the fact that no one bothers explaining why they downvote. It drives me crazy.
    – alex
    Sep 17, 2009 at 16:31
  • 3
    I hate the fact I take down votes so seriously
    – Josh Hunt
    Sep 17, 2009 at 20:27
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The gold standard in video encoding/conversion is two tools:

FFMpeg and MEncoder.

If they can't do it, it probably can't be done. Most of the GUI tools around are based on one of these two libraries (in fact MEncoder is itself partly based on FFMpeg). They both support decoding encoding and recoding pretty much every video format under the sun. They are also both open source and free and have been ported to most platforms (including xp).

The disadvantage is that they are both command line tools and have a learning curve about as steep as a mile high concrete wall, so they don't really fit your "something that beginners can easily use" requirement. I Thought I'd post them here in case you wanted to do something a bit more specific. (The MEncoder website does have a list of GUI front ends for various tasks.)

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Format Factory is one of the best:

  1. Supports converting all popular video,audio,picture formats to others
  2. Repair damaged video and audio file
  3. Reducing Multimedia file size
  4. Support iPhone and iPod multimedia file formats
  5. Picture converting supports Zoom, Rotate/Flip, tags
  6. DVD Ripper.
  7. Supports 50 languages

alt text

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  • Could the down-voter please leave a comment as to why.
    – harrymc
    Sep 17, 2009 at 18:44
  • I'm giving you +1 because of No 7, it contains my language :)
    – MladenB
    Sep 17, 2009 at 19:01
  • Hvala :) Thank you and others, now I have work for few days to see which one is the best for me.
    – MladenB
    Sep 17, 2009 at 19:14
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SUPER © (Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer) will convert/resize VOB files into pretty much any format of your choice (incl. AVI).

Input Video format: 3gp, 3g2, amv, asf, avi, dat, dvr-ms, fli, flc, flv, m2ts, mpg, mkv, mov, m4v, mp4, nsv, ogm, qt, rm(vb), str, swf, ts, trp, ty, ty+, tmf, viv, vob, wmv

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  • 1
    I'm unable to download with this link, are you sure about it?
    – MladenB
    Sep 17, 2009 at 14:51
  • sorry about that, edited the post. while the link was correct, it doesn't work this way. you'll have to find the way to the download link youself, it's 3 clicks from the home page (1. Start downloading super, 2. download and use, 3. Download Super setup file). what were they thinking? :)
    – Molly7244
    Sep 17, 2009 at 15:03
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Give Avidemux a try, it's a nice GUI approach which uses FFMPEG as the backend.

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WinFF is one of the best GUI front-ends to FFMpeg for Windows.

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This one i have used for years, simple to use

FLV to AVI MPEG WMV 3GP MP4 iPod Convert

It says flv to ...... But it can convert any file to any format and specific sizes to match mp3 players etc

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Try AutoGK... An automated gordian knot, the best dvd ripper/video compressor out there...

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