How to Convert MKV to MP4: Reasons, Tools & Tips

There are many reasons to flip video formats, especially from MKV to MP4. Perhaps you’re looking to improve compatibility with a wider range of devices, streamline your video library, or simply ensure a smoother playback experience. Curious to dig deeper into the specs of the MP4 format? Want to understand its key features and advantages? Ready to learn valuable tips and tricks for a successful and efficient conversion process? Whatever the case, this post is for you. We will shed some light on the key features of MKV and provide step-by-step guidance to help you seamlessly transform your MKV files into the more universally compatible MP4 format. Get ready to unlock a new level of flexibility and accessibility for your video content and bring your digital marketing to a whole new level!

MKV Format — Key Features

Let’s start with the basics — what MKV is and what it has to offer? MKV (Matroska Video) is an open, free multimedia container format designed to hold an unlimited number of video, audio, subtitle, and image tracks within a single file. It is not a codec but a container that can encapsulate multiple streams encoded with different codecs (e.g., H.264 video, AAC audio) and supports advanced features such as chapter points, cover art, descriptions, and ratings.

Key Features of MKV

• Multimedia container — Can store multiple video, audio, subtitle, and image tracks in one file. So it is just ideal for movies or TV shows with multiple language audio and subtitle options.
• Open and royalty-free — MKV is an open standard under the GNU LGPL and BSD licenses. It allows free use and commercial implementation without royalties.
• Flexible and extensible — Supports various codecs and metadata, including chapters, menus (planned but not fully implemented), and selectable audio/video/subtitle streams.
• Error resilience — Designed to be robust and resistant to corruption, enables smooth playback even if parts of the file are damaged.
• Cross-platform support — Supported by many media players and platforms, with ongoing development for broad compatibility.

Why Some Users Prefer Not to Use MKV

Despite its flexibility and features, MKV is sometimes avoided in digital business. There are several practical reasons why users decide to convert MKV to MP4:

• Compatibility issues — MKV is not as universally supported as more mainstream containers like MP4. Some devices, especially older hardware, smart TVs, or mobile devices, may not natively support MKV playback without additional software or codecs. Certain video editing software and platforms have limited or no support for MKV files, complicating workflows. It is also an issue for social media videos.

• File size and complexity — Because MKV can contain multiple audio and subtitle tracks, files tend to be larger and more complex than simpler containers. This can be problematic for streaming or storage-limited environments. The flexibility can lead to inconsistent implementations and cause playback issues on some players.

• Limited hardware acceleration — Some devices and media players offer better hardware acceleration for MP4 and other popular formats. This leads to smoother playback and lower battery consumption compared to MKV.

• Lack of standardized menus — Although MKV supports menus similar to DVDs, this feature is not widely implemented or standardized.

• Fragmented player support — While many desktop players (e.g., VLC, MPC-HC) support MKV well, native support in popular platforms and certain streaming services is limited or requires transcoding.

The good news is that you can easily flip the formats; your operating system doesn’t matter. There are plenty of solutions that you can use for this purpose. So, how to change MKV to MP4?

How to Convert MKV to MP4 on Windows

Need to convert MKV to MP4 on Windows? Movavi video converter is a good tool to use. It keeps the video and audio quality shipshape during conversion, offering choices for lossless compression that won’t let you down. Apart from video conversion, Movavi offers straightforward editing tools. You can trim, crop, merge, and add subtitles to make swift tweaks before converting. On top of that, the newest iterations bring AI-driven video upscaling to the table.

To convert MKV to MP4 on Windows with Movavi, follow these steps:

1. Download and install Movavi Video Converter — Get the Windows version from Movavi’s official site and install it on your PC.
2. Add your MKV file to the tool — Open the program, click “Add Media” in the upper-left corner, then select “Add Video.” Choose your MKV file and open it.
3. Select MP4 as output format — Go to the Video tab, find and select MP4 from the list of formats. Choose a resolution preset or keep the original size.
4. Set output location and filename — Click the file name next to your video to rename it if desired. Use the “Save to” button to select where the converted MP4 will be saved.
5. Start conversion — Click the “Convert” button to begin converting your MKV file to MP4. Once finished, the program will open the folder containing your new MP4 file for playback.

Movavi supports batch conversion and different video file formats; it uses SuperSpeed mode for fast, no-quality-loss conversions.

How to Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac

In case you are a Mac user, there is also a good option for you — QuickTime Player, the default media player on macOS. Of course, the tool itself does not natively support converting MKV files directly to MP4. However, you can use QuickTime Player in combination with other tools or convert MKV to a QuickTime-compatible format.

To convert in QuickTime MKV file to MP4 on Mac, follow these steps:

1. Convert MKV to MP4 using a third-party tool — Since QuickTime cannot open MKV files directly, use a dedicated converter for Mac to flip the formats first.
2. Open the converted MP4 in QuickTime Player — After converting, open the MP4 file with QuickTime Player.
3. Export or Save As — Use QuickTime’s File > Export As option to save the video in a preferred resolution or format if needed.

The process is rather quick and straightforward. QuickTime Player is a reliable and easy-to-use tool for video playback and exporting on Mac. And the best thing about it is that the tool is already built in the operating system of your device, so you can get your Instagram videos ready with no need to install another program to your Mac.

Final Say!

Converting video files from MKV to MP4 is a common task, and for good reason. There are numerous advantages to making this switch. And video marketing is not the only thing to mention in this context. The good news is that regardless of whether you are using Windows, macOS, or even Linux, converting your files doesn’t have to be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. There are numerous free and paid converting software solutions available that make the conversion process quick and easy. Enjoy your videos on virtually any device without hassle. Now that you know how easy and fast the process can be, you can confidently convert your files and experience the benefits of the more universally compatible MP4 format.