How can I import a .vob format without loss of audio/video quality?

Here's what worked for me (PPro v24.xx)

1. Copy all the VOB files off the DVD to a local drive
2. Open VLC - (videolan.org)
3. Convert the desired VOB file(s) to WAV file(s), 48k, 192 bitrate, stereo (Use VLC player to convert)
4. Bring the VOB files and the WAV files into a Premiere project
5. Start a new sequence with the VOB file (PP will only process the video not the audio)
6. Sync the WAV file in that same sequence
7. Export Mp4 or whatever

I'd rather just use Media Encoder to transcode, but it won't quite do it. All the best!

I've been searching for awhile to find a good way to convert a .VOB file format to a .MP4, .MOV, or other without losing sound! I finally tried Apple MacBook Compressor and that worked like a charm.

Abambo makes a good point regarding the structure of vobs.

What is multiplexed in the vob file can be many streams, video, audio, subtitles, etc. And there can be more than one audio stream. And sometimes, you get vobs from disks done using very unstandard specs.

I would use MediaInfo to look at what the audio stream(s) have in them.

Extracting the audio stream without converting can save quality loss. But here the more important problem may be whether the audio stream you are extracting is the wrong one, or whether it is in an odd format.

It's really a long time ago that I had to do such hacks. VOB files are relatively complex multiplexed video and (multiple) sound files. There exist tools to demultiplex VOB files without converting.

You may find more info here:

https://forum.doom9.org/index.php

Do what we did in the old days: convert to plain old sd-mov or dv avi for windows.

You can do this with CS6 which is more forgiving with old footage.

Wow! That is definitely a difference and unfortunately very common. While VOB files can play fine from a desktop level, it is better to decompress them into an intermediate codec for smoother decode in Premiere. Even converting VOB to H.264 can greatly improve the playback. I'm with Warren on the fact that Handbrake is a great choice if you continue to have issues with with the conversion. So as a summary:

Review: VOB is not a great editing format and should function better in an intermediate codec.

One Possible Solution: Use Media Encoder to encode to a Quicktime/Prores, Quicktime/Cineform or at least an H.264.

Backup Possible Solution: Use Handbrake or 3rd Party to encode to another, more stable codec for editing.

The reason I would probably use Prores or Cineform is that the audio can be decompressed to an uncompressed format like a WAV or AIF conversion--they can often fix tricky audio. There are other options for fixing but this is what I would try first. Good luck!

Yikes!  That's unexpected for sure.

While this adds an extra step, have you tried exporting the audio from VLC Player and then dropping that under the picture in Premiere Pro?  You could also opt to export the picture and sound form VLC Player.

You could also try Handbrake, Mac Video Ripper Pro or DVDxDV Pro (that last one is for professional convention of DVD-Video to video editing formats, but it hasn't been updated and may require an older version of macOS to run).

You could also double-check that your Premiere Pro is up-to-date.  Sometimes that resolves issue like this.  Sometimes it does not.

-Warren