How to Convert a DVD ISO or VOB Files to an MKV Video File

MKV is the newest container to gain mass appeal in the world of video archives and DVD rips. This specific video container is most often used with the H.264 high definition video codec to compress videos into a small file size while retaining a great deal of quality. If you have a DVD rip in the form of an ISO or VOB files and would like to convert it to a small, high quality MKV video file, read on to find out how.

Step 1

Download an excellent free program called 'Handbrake'. Handbrake is a freeware program that is supported on all three major operating systems: Windows, OS X, and Linux. Install the program to your computer once you're finished downloading. If you don't already have it on your system, also download a media player called VLC, which is also free and supports almost every file type in existence.

Step 2

Launch Handbrake. Once started, click on the SOURCE button and choose 'FILE' if you have VOB files, or 'VIDEO' if you have an ISO. Navigate to the folder in the popup box that appears and select the DVD rip. Click the BROWSE button and choose a saving location. Before closing the SAVE AS dialog, click on the drop-down menu for file type and choose MKV.

Step 3

If you want the video to stay as high of quality as possible, do not change any other settings and simply choose 'START'. If you want to make sure the file in under a certain size, choose the VIDEO tab, select the radio button next to FILE SIZE MB and input the number of MB you do not want the movie to exceed. For example, if you would like the video file to be under one gigabyte, enter 950MB, and the resulting file size will be approx. 950MB, give or take 20MB.

Step 4

Click 'Start'. A terminal/command prompt window will appear and will show you the amount of the video converted and the duration remaining. Depending on the settings and computer, this process could take 20 minutes to 4 hours. You can perform other tasks on the computer while the video is converting, but note that this will slow down the process greatly.