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Why is it so freaking hard to convert .mkv to .MP4?

I'm trying to use iVI now but wish it worked with stylized subs. Only thing I can think of that works with that is handbrake but requires it to be burned in
 
Here is a command line option that will go through a directory and convert all the mkv's to mp4's with no quality loss and only takes a couple minutes per file. There is a bit of setup to get it to go, but that is a one time thing:

1: install Xcode: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/xcode/id497799835?mt=12

2: install the CLI tools in Xcode: Launch Xcode -> Preferences -> Downloads

3: Install Quartz: (Only required on Mountain Lion I believe, but do it anyway): http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki

4: Install Homebrew: http://mxcl.github.com/homebrew/
4a: Update Homebrew, open terminal and type the following command (you will need to enter your password)

Code: 
sudo brew update

5. Install ffmpeg (this is what we were aiming for the entire time)
Code: 
sudo brew install ffmpeg


All the above are only required once. What we've done here is setup a repository that will allow you to install pretty much any open source software, then installed the ffmpeg command that is going to do all our magic.

Now just run this command (remember to change the directory name to the one that has your mkv's in it)

Code: 
for f in <DIRECTORY>/*.mkv; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -vcodec copy "${f%.mkv}.mp4"; done

you will have to run that in each directory with video files, it doesn't go through sub-directorys. However it will convert all your files with no loss of quality. A little work, but still easier than going file by file with some of the other methods
 
javilionaire said:
Ah ok, I'm converting this to MP4 so that I can burn it to a DVD using Toast, which will create a HD-DVD. It'll be played on a 50" Television so I need to retain the quality!
Click to expand...

handbrake works well. Even a little kid can do it in less than 30 seconds. I mean that literally. Not to insult or anything. It's just that easy.
 
+1 for handbrake.

It's a conversion as opposed to trans-coding, but the quality loss is negligible. Besides, the only time i don't view my mkv file is when I'm going to be watching on the go, using my iPad, so the quality issue isn't a big deal to me. Given your troubles with the trans-coding process, I highly suggest it.

Open Handbrake -> Select mkv file as source -> Select preset -> Mash the go button -> beer/coffee/snack while you wait. So easy a caveman can do it.
 
Guys, any thoughts about DVD movies?

I have mainly DVD movies (only a few Blu-Ray) but like to preserve the quality. Do you know if there's any way the format used inside a standard VIDEO_TS directory can be used directly by an m4v file? Or must you always do a video conversion? (I realize the container file must be changed...)

Thanks for the advice. :)
 
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jdiamond said:
I have mainly DVD movies (only a few Blu-Ray) but like to preserve the quality. Do you know if there's any way the format used inside a standard VIDEO_TS directory can be used directly by an m4v file? Or must you always do a video conversion? (I realize the container file must be changed...)

Thanks for the advice. :)
Click to expand...

I have to assume that since you are wanting to end up with and m4v container, you are wanting to play the files on an aTV. DVD's are mpeg2. mpeg 2 will not play on an aTV, so you have to convert then to h.264.

So I guess the answer to your question is...no.
 
I have TONS of MKV files and not a lot of time to go through each one and add and then change metadata. Is there something that I can set and drop a folder or folders in and let it go?
 
TyroneShoes2 said:
All of this implies that you should try "passthrough" first. If that doesn't work, try something else.
Click to expand...


Agreed. In my advice the codec was the constant. For a given file, if the codec works for one's devices than pass through is the one to go for if at all possible. The biggest downside is the lack of batch processing via qt7 pro.
 
Handbrake is great, MP4Tools works great when it's not crashing, but for me, iFlicks is the best. Not only does it convert, but it also does a great job with metadata.
 
Just buy the program Identify on the Mac App store. $20, but worth it for ease of use, conversion, and metadata download.
 
mikepro said:
Just buy the program Identify on the Mac App store. $20, but worth it for ease of use, conversion, and metadata download.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to using it for it's video passthrough capability or for it's ability to totally process a video AND metadata using a queue? Seems to be multiple questions going on in this thread and not sure what this "answer" is directed toward.
 
hold your horses...

have you got mountain lion? ...you have an apple TV. airplay from your mac using VLC to play the MKV.
Now..before you say ''i haven't got a mac''....you need a mac :)



...or, as i'm trying now out of curiosity- try Vuze. you drag MKV etc in the conversion programme built in, it ask...what playback device? click Apple TV 3 ..and it begins. not sure how long or what the quality is like yet...will soon see.
 
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Just curious; what is mkv even used for? I have yet to see it anywhere.

Is it a special codec used by some special high end cameras or something?
 
Panini said:
Just curious; what is mkv even used for? I have yet to see it anywhere.

Is it a special codec used by some special high end cameras or something?
Click to expand...

MKV is a container that carries a video & audio file. mp4 is another type of container. MKV's became popular when people started streaming video on the home networks. A lot of video's downloaded as torrents are in the mkv format. The advantage of the container is that it is very flexible in what it can contain, say vs the mp4.

If you really care: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matroska
 
mic j said:
Are you referring to using it for it's video passthrough capability or for it's ability to totally process a video AND metadata using a queue? Seems to be multiple questions going on in this thread and not sure what this "answer" is directed toward.
Click to expand...

Well, pretty much for all that. I mainly use it to produce "itunes compatible" files, which are great for use on ATV2, ipad, etc. If an mkv has video already encoded in h.264, it sill simply remux the audio and put the tracks in the correct order for easy playback on iDevices. It also automatically gets the metadata, and then appends (actually maybe prepends) it into the file in the right way so that it all shows up in iTunes and on iDevices. If the video is not in h.264, it will re-encode it as necessary. Finally, it's great for building up a queue, you can just drop a bunch of files into it and let it work.



Had problems using Subler and MetaX for all this. Sure, it costs $20, but it works great, saves me tons of time, and has none of the annoying issues I had with other problems. In true Mac fashion, It Just Works.
 
mikepro said:
Well, pretty much for all that. I mainly use it to produce "itunes compatible" files, which are great for use on ATV2, ipad, etc. If an mkv has video already encoded in h.264, it sill simply remux the audio and put the tracks in the correct order for easy playback on iDevices. It also automatically gets the metadata, and then appends (actually maybe prepends) it into the file in the right way so that it all shows up in iTunes and on iDevices. If the video is not in h.264, it will re-encode it as necessary. Finally, it's great for building up a queue, you can just drop a bunch of files into it and let it work.



Had problems using Subler and MetaX for all this. Sure, it costs $20, but it works great, saves me tons of time, and has none of the annoying issues I had with other problems. In true Mac fashion, It Just Works.
Click to expand...

I just use Handbrake (free) and Subler (free). Just use Subler for the metadata as I like the ability to add/delete fields to maximize the movie info in the aTV window.

Can you explain to me how, with just a remux to the mp4 container, you get subtitles to work, e.g. "soft" and/or forced subs?

Thanks.
 
mic j said:
I just use Handbrake (free) and Subler (free). Just use Subler for the metadata as I like the ability to add/delete fields to maximize the movie info in the aTV window.

Can you explain to me how, with just a remux to the mp4 container, you get subtitles to work, e.g. "soft" and/or forced subs?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

LOL, I've been saying iDentify is the App, but I'm actually referring to iFlicks! Oops. Used to use iDentify when Subler failed, but now I strictly use iFlicks.

iFlicks supports external srt subtitle files. Honestly, I don't really use subtitles much, so I can't speak to it. But, check out their website and search the support forum, maybe you can find what you are looking for.

I know there are free alternatives, and there is often an aversion to paying for software, but iFlicks has been $20 well spent for me, as it is one stop meta data and conversion utility for me.
 
MKV to MP4 without re-encoding is no longer hard as it was when I first started to look into it if you look into my post history. My choice for that is iFlicks and it's brilliant.

But going from MKV is going to be a compromise either way. Pass through is fast but many times introduces problems with resuming, fast forwarding and even streaming. Conversion is slow, especially with 1080P on a slower machine and a negligible quality loss.

My take is, if you have tons of MKVs you want in MP4 and you can live with minor hiccups, go with iFlicks. I've chosen this route.

If you want the best performance and compatibility from your MP4 and don't mind long conversion times, go with Handbrake. I honestly can't tell a difference in quality from the MKV on my 32" FullHD TV.
 
Hello all,

I've read this thread and I am very interested.
MacinJosh, do you mind telling me what settings you use for handbrake? (or anyone else for that matter)

Cheers
Anthony.

MacinJosh said:
MKV to MP4 without re-encoding is no longer hard as it was when I first started to look into it if you look into my post history. My choice for that is iFlicks and it's brilliant.

But going from MKV is going to be a compromise either way. Pass through is fast but many times introduces problems with resuming, fast forwarding and even streaming. Conversion is slow, especially with 1080P on a slower machine and a negligible quality loss.

My take is, if you have tons of MKVs you want in MP4 and you can live with minor hiccups, go with iFlicks. I've chosen this route.

If you want the best performance and compatibility from your MP4 and don't mind long conversion times, go with Handbrake. I honestly can't tell a difference in quality from the MKV on my 32" FullHD TV.
Click to expand...
 
mil098 said:
Hello all,

I've read this thread and I am very interested.
MacinJosh, do you mind telling me what settings you use for handbrake? (or anyone else for that matter)

Cheers
Anthony.
Click to expand...

The easy route with Handbrake is to use the presets. It has presets for all versions of the ATV, for iPads, for iPods, iPhones, and for Android devices. Some people tweak these to improve them further, but I'm not really convinced they can actually see the difference. ;)
 
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