Changing the file format

[BillB]

I was trying to learn how to edit a VOB file, and tried the folowing:
I changed the .VOB file extention to .MPEG and it ran in Windows Media Player and Power DVD fine.
I changed the .VOB to .AVI the same way and it ran in Windows Media Player and Power DVD fine.

My Q is did the VOB file really change formats, and what can be done with the new formated file?

Can they be used for editing?

I know this is weird, and can't be this easy! Especially when I was told to use special s/w.

Explanations please!

BillB

[jimmalenko]

Changing the extension does not change the format ..... at all. You'd be much better off IMHO using something like VOB2MPG to extract the MPEG out of the VOB properly, and then you can use an MPEG editor, or alternatively frameserve using DVD2AVI or DGIndex into virtualdub if AVI is your goal.

[BillB]

That's what I figured, but shouldn't there be a error message saying the format is not correct?

Even having the same file name with differant extensions in the same folder, didn't cause a error.

Strange!!!

BillB

[jimmalenko]

That's what I figured, but shouldn't there be a error message saying the format is not correct?

WMP puts up an error message by default about unpredictable behaviour if it tries to play the file, but if you've ever seen this error and ticked the "Do not remind me again about this error", then you won't see it.

Even having the same file name with differant extensions in the same folder, didn't cause a error.

There's no law against that.

[jagabo]

Many media players can identify the file type by the contents. Most formats have distinctive markers. For example, the first four bytes of an AVI file are always RIFF. MPEG files start with the four hex values 00, 00, 01, ba.

[redwudz]

Changing the extension to MPG from VOB will work sometimes, but a VOB has much more on it than just a MPEG video and audio. From 'What is' DVD to the upper left:

VOB = The VOB files contains the actual video,audio,subtitles and menus.

VOB2MPEG is a much safer way of converting a VOB, because you will likely run into problems taking 'The easy way.'

[BillB]

Thanks people, that about does it !

End of subject!

BillB