mkv to mp4 - easiest method?

[bluestarCVO]

Hello everyone. Just got a Mac recently and I'm now wanting to begin converting/remuxing all my mkvs over to mp4 for viewing on all my iOS devices, mainly my ATV 3. I want to keep the forced subs, and I'm going to have to convert all the dts audio tracks to AC3.

I've done a lot of searching and reading to try and prepare myself for this, but I want to make sure I got it right. Can I just use subler to do everything I want to do (remux, subs, dts conversion) or would I be better off using mp4tools. Please give me your suggestions and the proper steps I should take.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MagicBoy]

I'd use Handbrake.

 

[NewbieCanada]

I'd use Handbrake.

Handbrake forces you to re-encode the video even when it's not necessary. Not the best choice by any means.

 

[roidy]

If the mkv's contain h.264 video that will play on the ATV3 then use subler to re-mux the files. Only use handbrake if you need to re-encode the files.

 

[mic j]

Subtitle Support

Does the aTV 3 handle forced and unforced subtitles correctly from a file that has only been remuxed to mp4, not transcoded? How does it handle a remuxed only file that has Dolby Digital Master Audio, DTS or DTS-HD audio? And finally, if you have other iOS devices, how do they handle the surround sound audio or do you need to add an AAC stereo track to the file?

Just curious as to the nuances of the impact of remuxing vs transcoding.

 

[bluestarCVO]

Does the aTV 3 handle forced and unforced subtitles correctly from a file that has only been remuxed to mp4, not transcoded? How does it handle a remuxed only file that has Dolby Digital Master Audio, DTS or DTS-HD audio? And finally, if you have other iOS devices, how do they handle the surround sound audio or do you need to add an AAC stereo track to the file?

Just curious as to the nuances of the impact of remuxing vs transcoding.

The above issues are exactly what I'm concerned about. If subler will not transcode the dts to ac3 or include the forced subs, then I guess I will be forced to re-encode them with handbrake. BTW, the mkvs all do contain h.264 video already.

 

[heisenberg123]

Handbrake forces you to re-encode the video even when it's not necessary. Not the best choice by any means.

well thats very good to know but giving a name of a better alternative would help the OP and others

 

[mic j]

The above issues are exactly what I'm concerned about. If subler will not transcode the dts to ac3 or include the forced subs, then I guess I will be forced to re-encode them with handbrake. BTW, the mkvs all do contain h.264 video already.

You might want to try mp4tools over Subler (and I'm a big fan of Subler). It can remux plus transcode dts to AC3 and add an AAC stereo track for other iOS devices. It's free if you don't mind being nagged or, I think, you can do without a queue. I think it's pretty cheap ($10?) if you would like to purchase.

I still would like to know how the aTV handles the forced/unforced subtitles, though.

 

[Vice92]

I've found a tried and true method that I believe works best with MKVs that contain DTS audio tracks.

I use the program Remux to re-encode the audio track to AC3. Then I use the program Subler to add a Stereo track so I can watch the movie on an iPad or iPhone if I so choose, as well as add metadata. You can also save the DTS audio track and add it into Subler if you wish. You'll wind up with a video containing an AC3 track (ATV3), Stereo (iPhone/iPad), and DTS (future proof).

Subler has the ability to convert DTS to AC3 right in the program, but I've always found that the audio becomes out of sync with the video. Using Remux solved this problem for me.

 

[NewbieCanada]

well thats very good to know but giving a name of a better alternative would help the OP and others

And back at you.

 

[heisenberg123]

And back at you.

lol what?

you said handbrake isnt the best, im not pro handbrake i just want to know whats a better choice

 

[mic j]

I've found a tried and true method that I believe works best with MKVs that contain DTS audio tracks.

I use the program Remux to re-encode the audio track to AC3. Then I use the program Subler to add a Stereo track so I can watch the movie on an iPad or iPhone if I so choose, as well as add metadata. You can also save the DTS audio track and add it into Subler if you wish. You'll wind up with a video containing an AC3 track (ATV3), Stereo (iPhone/iPad), and DTS (future proof).

Subler has the ability to convert DTS to AC3 right in the program, but I've always found that the audio becomes out of sync with the video. Using Remux solved this problem for me.

Do you have a link to the Remux? I tried Googling it but that word is so generic, it just pulls up too much stuff. Was not aware of the audio sync issue, thanks for that info. Do you have any experience with forced subtitles on a remux?

 

[Vice92]

Do you have a link to the Remux? I tried Googling it but that word is so generic, it just pulls up too much stuff. Was not aware of the audio sync issue, thanks for that info. Do you have any experience with forced subtitles on a remux?

Sure: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/35968/remux/

Subtitles are not handled in Remux.

In essence, you workflow would be as follows:

Drag and drop .mkv into Remux

Under the reencode column, for the audio click it and set it to AC3 448k.
Remux with then make a duplicate of the original .mkv file, this time with the AC3 audio track instead of the DTS audio track. Make sure to rename the file before hitting "Go".

From there, you would drag and drop the new .mkv into Subler. Passthru both the video and audio track and keep the subtitles track on the default action setting. Double click the audio track and rename it something like "Surround Sound" or something similar. Then drag and drop the same .mkv into subler again, this time unchecking the video track and subtitle track and under the "action" column for the audio choose "AAC - Stereo". This will convert the AC3 track to AAC Stereo so you can watch the movie on your iPhone/iPad if you so choose. Rename this track "Stereo" or something similar as well. In Subler you should now see four files - video and 2 audio and a subtitles track. If you want to keep the original DTS audio track, just drag and drop the original .mkv into Subler, uncheck all but the audio track, and use Passthru.

Once you have all your files in Subler, you need to have them positioned correctly or else the file will not play properly. It should be:

Video Track
Stereo Track
Surround Sound Track
Subtitles

You can then use the magnifying glass to add metadata and poster art.

Then click on the video track and make sure Main @3.1 is used.

When none of the files are highlighted, a tab "Other settings" becomes visible. You can use this to set the media type and whether or not the file is HD for proper iTunes tagging.

Hope this helps

 

[mic j]

Sure: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/35968/remux/

Subtitles are not handled in Remux.

In essence, you workflow would be as follows:

Drag and drop .mkv into Remux

Under the reencode column, for the audio click it and set it to AC3 448k.
Remux with then make a duplicate of the original .mkv file, this time with the AC3 audio track instead of the DTS audio track. Make sure to rename the file before hitting "Go".

From there, you would drag and drop the new .mkv into Subler. Passthru both the video and audio track and keep the subtitles track on the default action setting. Double click the audio track and rename it something like "Surround Sound" or something similar. Then drag and drop the same .mkv into subler again, this time unchecking the video track and subtitle track and under the "action" column for the audio choose "AAC - Stereo". This will convert the AC3 track to AAC Stereo so you can watch the movie on your iPhone/iPad if you so choose. Rename this track "Stereo" or something similar as well. In Subler you should now see four files - video and 2 audio and a subtitles track. If you want to keep the original DTS audio track, just drag and drop the original .mkv into Subler, uncheck all but the audio track, and use Passthru.

Once you have all your files in Subler, you need to have them positioned correctly or else the file will not play properly. It should be:

Video Track
Stereo Track
Surround Sound Track
Subtitles

You can then use the magnifying glass to add metadata and poster art.

Then click on the video track and make sure Main @3.1 is used.

When none of the files are highlighted, a tab "Other settings" becomes visible. You can use this to set the media type and whether or not the file is HD for proper iTunes tagging.

Hope this helps

I know it's free, but it seems like too many steps. mp4tools does all of that by clicking a couple radio buttons. You still have to use a tagger like Subler, iDentify, etc, though. Thanks for the link.

 

[bluestarCVO]

Sure: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/35968/remux/

Subtitles are not handled in Remux.

In essence, you workflow would be as follows:

Drag and drop .mkv into Remux

Under the reencode column, for the audio click it and set it to AC3 448k.
Remux with then make a duplicate of the original .mkv file, this time with the AC3 audio track instead of the DTS audio track. Make sure to rename the file before hitting "Go".

From there, you would drag and drop the new .mkv into Subler. Passthru both the video and audio track and keep the subtitles track on the default action setting. Double click the audio track and rename it something like "Surround Sound" or something similar. Then drag and drop the same .mkv into subler again, this time unchecking the video track and subtitle track and under the "action" column for the audio choose "AAC - Stereo". This will convert the AC3 track to AAC Stereo so you can watch the movie on your iPhone/iPad if you so choose. Rename this track "Stereo" or something similar as well. In Subler you should now see four files - video and 2 audio and a subtitles track. If you want to keep the original DTS audio track, just drag and drop the original .mkv into Subler, uncheck all but the audio track, and use Passthru.

Once you have all your files in Subler, you need to have them positioned correctly or else the file will not play properly. It should be:

Video Track
Stereo Track
Surround Sound Track
Subtitles

You can then use the magnifying glass to add metadata and poster art.

Then click on the video track and make sure Main @3.1 is used.

When none of the files are highlighted, a tab "Other settings" becomes visible. You can use this to set the media type and whether or not the file is HD for proper iTunes tagging.

Hope this helps

Thank you. It helps very much. My only question is about the video track and selecting "main @3.1" I wouldn't put this on high @4.1?

Thanks again.

 

[bluestarCVO]

I also would like to know how Subler handles the forced subs. Say for instance I run Avatar through Subler and I want to keep only the forced subs when the Navi are speaking. Will it do this?

 

[bohbot16]

Check out iFlicks. It's drag-and-drop and does the re-muxing, encodes DTS to AC3, and automatically tags. You want the iTunes Compatible preset.

 

[Vice92]

Thank you. It helps very much. My only question is about the video track and selecting "main @3.1" I wouldn't put this on high @4.1?

Thanks again.

Unfortunately no, the ATV3 only supports up to High @4.0, not 4.1 So Main @3.1 is the best setting for the time being.

 

[mic j]

Unfortunately no, the ATV3 only supports up to High @4.0, not 4.1 So Main @3.1 is the best setting for the time being.

Not 100% sure of that. If I'm not mistaken, and there is that possibility, the difference between 4.0 and 4.1 is 25Mbps vs 50Mbps. And although the aTV is rated to 25mbs, it will easily handle higher nitrates.

Additional thought: Not sure what setting the metadata profile really means. If you are just passing through the video at the original bitrate the aTV has to handle whatever it is regardless of profile setting.

 

[Dan DRC]

I have used Handbreak on over 300 DVD's with very few issues to speak of.
The end result is great.

 

[GarrettL1979]

I've been really happy with handbrake and iFlicks so far.

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When you remux are you just placing a different (iOS friendly) container on an mkv? Is the file size still huge?

 

[mic j]

I have used Handbreak on over 300 DVD's with very few issues to speak of.
The end result is great.

+1

Another point for the OP, if you want to use the files across multiple iOS devices, do you really want an uncompressed file size? If they are regular DVD's, their going to be around 5GB. If BR, 25-30GB. That's some pretty big files to load onto an iPad or iPhone. Consider that a high quality DVD transcode will be around 1GB and a BR will be around 5GB. And sorry all you remuxer's, the quality is just as good. Something to think about anyway.

 

[Vice92]

Not 100% sure of that. If I'm not mistaken, and there is that possibility, the difference between 4.0 and 4.1 is 25Mbps vs 50Mbps. And although the aTV is rated to 25mbs, it will easily handle higher nitrates.

Additional thought: Not sure what setting the metadata profile really means. If you are just passing through the video at the original bitrate the aTV has to handle whatever it is regardless of profile setting.

I'm simply going by what apple lists as compatible on their ATV3 website

I also would like to know how Subler handles the forced subs. Say for instance I run Avatar through Subler and I want to keep only the forced subs when the Navi are speaking. Will it do this?

That's a good question but unfortunately one I do not have the answer to. I would like to say using the method I posted above will keep the forced subs, as secondary subs (i.e ones for the entire movie, etc) would likely be in a seperate file.

EDIT: I also forgot to mention, using Subler with files >4GB, when you go to convert the file, make sure "64 bits chunk times" is checked in the "Save As" window.

 

[ViperDesign]

I just started using mp4tools and I must say, very solid. Zero issues and converting movies to itunes is quick and easy. Usually takes around 15 minutes or so to convert a movie to mp4 on my macbook pro retina.

 

[MacinJosh]

Check out iFlicks. It's drag-and-drop and does the re-muxing, encodes DTS to AC3, and automatically tags. You want the iTunes Compatible preset.

This is the only answer you need. Drag and drop and click and boom, done.

It'll passthrough video on pretty much any video format with the supported codec. I've saved hours upon hours with doing the above method on AVIs as well.