How Kodi Indexes and Scrapes Raw VOB Files

Managing a digital movie collection stored in raw VOB format presents unique challenges due to how DVD structures split video across multiple files. This article explains the technical process Kodi uses to identify, index, and scrape metadata for VOB archives, whether they are arranged in standard DVD VIDEO_TS directory structures or stored as loose individual video files, and details best practices for seamless library integration.

Understanding VOB Files in Kodi

VOB (Video Object) is the core container format used on DVD-Video discs. In an uncompressed or raw DVD rip, feature-length movies are rarely contained within a single file. Instead, the DVD specification splits data into consecutive 1 GB segments (such as VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, and VTS_01_3.VOB) alongside accompanying control files like .IFO and .BUP.

Kodi approaches VOB files in two distinct ways depending on their storage structure: as part of a complete DVD structure or as standalone video files.

Scraping Standard DVD Structures (VIDEO_TS)

When an archive preserves the original DVD folder hierarchy, Kodi does not index every individual .VOB file as an independent movie. Instead, it recognizes the overall directory as a single cohesive media item.

1. Folder Hierarchy Recognition: Kodi's scanner monitors for the presence of a VIDEO_TS folder or accompanying VIDEO_TS.IFO and VTS_XX_0.IFO files. When these are detected, Kodi's video engine flags the directory as a DVD image.
2. Metadata Matching: By default, Kodi evaluates the name of the folder containing the VIDEO_TS directory (or the parent folder itself if the files sit at root level) to perform the scraper lookup against configured databases like The Movie Database (TMDb). For example, a path like Movies/The Matrix (1999)/VIDEO_TS/ prompts the scraper to search for "The Matrix (1999)".
3. Database Entry and Playback Linking: Kodi creates a single record in its internal SQLite database (MyVideosXX.db). Rather than pointing to the first video segment (VTS_01_1.VOB), the library record points to VIDEO_TS.IFO. This instructs Kodi’s built-in player (VideoPlayer) to launch the DVD navigation engine, allowing full access to menus, audio tracks, subtitles, and seamless playback across the split VOB segments.

Scraping Loose or Standalone VOB Files

If the raw archive consists of extracted, merged, or renamed single .VOB files without the surrounding DVD navigation files (e.g., Gladiator (2000).vob), Kodi treats them identically to common video containers like .MKV or .MP4.

1. Filename Evaluation: The scraper cleans up common scene tags, resolutions, and codec labels from the filename based on Kodi’s internal regex definitions.
2. API Query: The cleaned string and year are dispatched to the designated scraper to fetch plot summaries, cast lists, ratings, and artwork.
3. File Stacking: If a movie remains split into parts outside of a DVD folder (for instance, Movie Name (2001) - pt1.vob and Movie Name (2001) - pt2.vob), Kodi's file-stacking mechanism links them sequentially into a single library entry, playing the parts back-to-back automatically.

Improving VOB Indexing Accuracy

To prevent misidentifications, duplicate entries, or scraper failures with raw VOB media, adhere to the following rules:

• Keep Folder Structures Intact: Ensure the complete VIDEO_TS folder—including all .IFO and .BUP files—is preserved. Missing .IFO files force Kodi to guess the sequence, often leading to each 1 GB chunk appearing as an individual, unlinked title.
• Adopt the "Movies in Separate Folders" Setting: When adding the source in Kodi, enable the option labeled "Movies are in separate folders that match the movie title." This ensures the scraper extracts the title from the parent directory rather than attempting to parse filenames like VTS_01_1.VOB.
• Use Local NFO Files for Offline Accuracy: For custom DVD masters, home videos, or rare discs not present on public scrapers, place a text file named after the folder or named movie.nfo in the root directory alongside VIDEO_TS. Kodi will bypass online scraping and parse the local XML data directly into the library.