Video Codecs Allowed in Standard DVD VOB Files

Standard DVD-Video specifications strictly limit the compression formats permitted inside Video Object (VOB) container files to guarantee universal playback across standalone hardware players. Under the official DVD Forum standards, only two video compression codecs are permitted: MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Any other video formats, including modern codecs like H.264 or MPEG-4 Part 2, violate the official standard and are not supported in compliant DVD VOB files.

MPEG-2 (H.262 / ISO/IEC 13818-2)

MPEG-2 is the primary and most widely used video compression standard for commercial and authored DVDs. It provides full broadcast-quality video and supports both interlaced and progressive scanning formats.

• Profile and Level: Restricted strictly to Main Profile at Main Level (MP@ML).
• Maximum Bitrate: The video stream can peak at 9.8 Mbps (9,800 kbps), provided the total combined multiplexed bitrate (video, audio, and sub-pictures) does not exceed 10.08 Mbps.
• NTSC Resolutions (29.97 fps):
  • 720 × 480 (Full D1)
  • 704 × 480 (D1 broadcast standard)
  • 352 × 480 (Half D1 / CVD)
  • 352 × 240 (SIF)
• PAL Resolutions (25 fps):
  • 720 × 576 (Full D1)
  • 704 × 576 (D1 broadcast standard)
  • 352 × 576 (Half D1)
  • 352 × 288 (SIF)
• Aspect Ratios: Supports both 4:3 standard and 16:9 anamorphic widescreen.

MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC 11172-2)

MPEG-1 is officially permitted within standard VOB files primarily for backward compatibility and low-bitrate applications, such as fitting extended-length content onto a single disc. It only supports progressive scanning and lower resolutions equivalent to Video CD (VCD) quality.

• Profile and Level: Constrained Parameters Bitstream (CPB).
• Maximum Bitrate: Fixed at a maximum of 1.856 Mbps (1,856 kbps), though typically authored at constant bitrates around 1.15 Mbps.
• NTSC Resolution: 352 × 240 at 29.97 frames per second.
• PAL Resolution: 352 × 288 at 25 frames per second.
• Aspect Ratios: Restricted strictly to a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Non-Compliant Codecs

Modern codecs such as H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), VC-1, and MPEG-4 ASP (commonly known as DivX or Xvid) are strictly non-compliant with standard DVD-Video specifications. While some standalone hardware players include proprietary firmware capable of reading DivX or MP4 files from data DVDs, these files do not use the standard DVD file structure (VIDEO_TS.IFO, VTS_01_0.VOB) and cannot be muxed into a standard VOB file for universal DVD-Video compatibility.