How to play VOB / IFO / BUP files

If you have gotten a bunch of files including IFO, VOB and BUP files, then you have DVD-Video files. These are the files directly from a DVD movie. The can be played in a variety of players right from your HDD, but what exactly are they?


VOB

VOB stands for DVD Video Object. It is basically one of the core files found on DVD-Video discs and contains the actual movie data, including an MPEG-2 video stream and support audio (MP2, AC3, DTS etc.) In order to view stand-alone VOB files, you need to have a DVD player software that supports VOB playback.

IFO

In video editing, IFO normally refers to a file on DVD-Video disc and stands for InFOrmation. IFO files basically contain all the information a DVD player needs to know about a DVD so that the user can navigate and play everything properly.

BUP

BUP files are simply backup copies of IFO files on a DVD-Video disc in case of corruption.

How to play DVD files

There are a variety of ways to play these files. However, some solutions are less suited than others. Everybody really should have some form of software DVD player installed.

Media Player Classic

Media Player Classic can play back DVD files and allows you to navigate through a DVD easily. The best thing about Media Player Classic of course is that it is completely free of charge. Download it here from AfterDawn.



To open a DVD from your HDD with Media Player Classic, click File -> Open File, or tap CTRL + O. When the open Window shows up, click the Browse button beside the "Open:" field.



In order to play the DVD, you can to locate the VIDEO_TS.IFO file. Other IFO files will work but in order tom play the entire DVD you must select this file and click Open.


The DVD will begin playing in Media Player Classic. Like any DVD player it will play through copyright notices or trailers (if any) before it gets to the Menu (if any). However, since you have no remote control, you have to use the Navigation drop down menu in order to jump to parts of the DVD.

Software DVD players

You need to have a software DVD player installed on your computer for the best experience playing back DVDs. They are made especially for DVD playback.


AfterDawn would recommend downloading and installing either PowerDVD or WinDVD to play back DVD from HDD. Both of these are commercial software packages.

WinDVD --> http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/windvd.cfm

PowerDVD --> http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/powerdvd.cfm

Burn DVD folders

Another option is to burn these files to DVD. If you have a DVD burner (dual layer may be required), then AfterDawn has some guides that may help...

Burn DVD folders with Nero Burning ROM --> http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/burning_dvd_with_nero.cfm

Burn DVD folders with ImgBurn --> http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/burn_dvd_folder_imgburn.cfm

How to burn a DVD image or DVD folder with DVD Santa --> http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/burn_dvd-img_or_dvd_folder_dvdsanta.cfm

Version History

v1.0 - 31st of July, 2007 by Dela