Have you ever downloaded a video file only to find out that it’s in a format that your device doesn’t support? This is a common problem among video enthusiasts, especially those who prefer to download and store their favorite movies and TV shows on their computers.
One of the most popular video formats is MKV (Matroska Video), which offers high-quality video and audio in a single file. However, not all devices support this format, which is why many people prefer to convert MKV files to MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14), a more widely used format that can be played on most devices.
Why Convert MKV to MP4?
There are several reasons why you might want to convert MKV files to MP4:
- Compatibility: As mentioned earlier, MP4 is a more widely used format than MKV, which means that you can play MP4 files on almost any device.
- File Size: MP4 files are generally smaller than MKV files, which means that you can save more space on your device.
- Editing: If you want to edit your video files, MP4 is a better format to work with because it’s more widely supported by editing software.
How to Convert MKV to MP4
If you have a video file in MKV format that you want to convert to MP4, there are several ways to do it:
1. Online Converters
One of the easiest ways to convert MKV to MP4 is to use an online converter. There are several websites that offer this service for free, such as Online-Convert.com and Convertio.co. Simply upload your MKV file, select MP4 as the output format, and click the convert button. The converted file will be available for download in a few minutes.
2. Video Conversion Software
If you have a large number of video files to convert, you might want to consider using video conversion software. There are several programs available, such as Handbrake, Freemake Video Converter, and Any Video Converter. Simply download and install the software, import your MKV file, select MP4 as the output format, and click the convert button. The software will take care of the rest.
3. Command Line
If you’re comfortable using the command line, you can also convert MKV files to MP4 using FFmpeg, a powerful open-source multimedia framework. Simply open a terminal window, navigate to the directory where your MKV file is located, and enter the following command:
ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 22 -c:a copy output.mp4
Replace “input.mkv” with the name of your MKV file and “output.mp4” with the name of the file you want to create. This command will convert the video to H.264 format and copy the audio stream without re-encoding it.
Conclusion
Converting MKV files to MP4 is a simple process that can be done using online converters, video conversion software, or the command line. By converting your video files to MP4, you can ensure that they’re compatible with most devices and take up less space on your hard drive. So next time you come across an MKV file that you can’t play, don’t worry – just convert it to MP4!