![]() It depends.Īnd just trying to identify that by the wrapper formats doesn't really answer that question mp4 to mkv or vice versa might mean a re-encode in one workflow, and it might not in another, depending on what the source codec is (which we can't discern from the source wrapper) and what the target decoder expects (which we also can't discern from the target wrapper).Īnd when you resort to 3rd-party software this opens up an entirely new can of worms, which is the second problem. The bad news is that possibly (but rarely) the target player expects a codec different than the one in the original wrapper, and therefore the workflow invokes a re-encode, and that may imply a slower process with some generational losses. That would usually be quick and painless and not imply any generational quality loss. The good news is that the common answers are usually that what is encoded is also the same thing that (or compatible with what) the target player expects, and all that is needed to convert is to rewrap the existing source codec in the new container format. Knowing the container formats is just not enough information on its own. IOW, from simply identifying the lunchboxes or containers we don't know exactly what codec is inside the source container and whether the destination player will require it to be re-encoded into what codec it expects to be within the target or destination container, or not. This means that the question then becomes, continuing your analogy, "how do I convert what is inside lunchbox A to what should be inside lunchbox B so that it will be compatible with the target decoder and player?", which is really the same question, only it points out how uncontrollably vague the question really is, and how it does not provide all of the specifications needed to allow a definitive answer to the question because the terms mkv and mp4 are somewhat ambiguous as to what codecs they might contain. ![]() ![]() While mp4 containers can contain files encoded in a half-dozen different codecs, mkv containers are compatible with just about any codec, and that can imply a possible incompatibility depending specifically on the target decoder, all of which may or may not imply a re-encode within the workflow. The first problem here is that mp4 and mks refer to the containers (as you indicated) and not the codec inside, and therefore somewhat en-veil what is really within. The file will then save your new video file in the MP4 container without re-encoding the original video component saving substantial time & processing.Ĭlick to expand.I love your lunchbox analogy. You may set your own audio/streaming options to your liking, then click "OK" In the video Format dropdown menu select 'PASS THROUGH' In the 'EXPORT' dropdown menu select "Movie to MPEG-4" Once the file is open and you can play it in Quicktime 7 Pro go to - FILE -> EXPORT. It may take a few minutes depending on the length to open (you will see the progress above the play button) - perian is working in the background to get quicktime to read the mkv Passing through the codec takes only as long as re-copying the file to the hard drive, whereas re-encoding it can take many hours to days depending on the file size and options. Re-encoding it would take the codec and re-process it (in this analogy it would first take apart your sandwich and then re-assemble it before putting in the new lunchbox) so you want to avoid this if the codec is compatible with the device you wish to watch it on. You should use the "PASS THROUGH" option which takes the codec (h.264, xvid, etc.) and puts in another container (MP4). If you have a device (in this case ATV) that can ingest the codec but not the container than you should not re-encode it. Within these go your video (with it's own codec) and audio, think of these to be your lunch that goes in the lunch box. MP4, MOV and MKV are all container files. MKV can be a little confusing, but converting it to MP4 can be relatively painless and quick if you use the right tools and options. You want to use PASS THROUGH to avoid re-encoding it
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