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Ko Takagi
Ko Takagi

Posted on • Edited on

How to convert DVD to mp4 with ffmpeg

#ffmpeg

I'll write it down how to convert DVD to mov with ffmpeg as a reminder.✍️

Install ffmpeg 

brew install ffmpeg
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How to convert

Browse for the DVD files in the Finder and get the .vob file name you want to convert.

For example, if you want to convert a file named VTS_01_1.VOB.

ffmpeg -i VTS_01_1.VOB -b:v 1500k -r 30 -vcodec h264 -strict -2 -acodec aac -ar 44100 -f mp4 convert.mp4
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For example, you want to combine and convert the files VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_1.VOB, and VTS_01_1.VOB.

ffmpeg -i "concat:VTS_01_1.VOB|VTS_01_2.VOB|VTS_01_3.VOB" -b:v 1500k -r 30 -vcodec h264 -strict -2 -acodec aac -ar 44100 -f mp4 convert.mp4
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Great!👍

Top comments (2)

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ambiguousshelby profile image
Tweetshit •

Hello, can I use the codec copy option here to fasten the conversion process?
Please help, thanks.

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tom_boutell_645e0de8ca6a7 profile image
Tom Boutell •

For anyone who comes across this in 2026: the codec copy option would leave you with a huge file, like the size of the DVD itself (4.7GB, 8+ for dual layer). When people convert to MP4 they are usually expecting the 70-80% file size savings that comes with transcoding to the H.264 codec.

MPEG2 is legal in an MP4 though, so most players would probably tolerate it if you tried your solution.