“Transforming MKV files into MP4 format is a straightforward task with various available applications, and Windows offers a wide selection of options for this purpose.”
“MKV serves as a multimedia container format frequently containing multiple audio and subtitle tracks. Nevertheless, due to its relative lack of popularity compared to other video file formats like MOV and MP4, playing an MKV file can pose challenges on a Windows computer.
If your device lacks support for MKV, converting it to MP4 is a viable solution. MP4 is a widely recognized multimedia format compatible with nearly all devices. In this guide, we present the top online and offline tools for converting MKV to MP4 on Windows.”
“Utilize XMedia Recode to Transform MKV into MP4”
“XMedia Recode is a powerful media conversion application designed for Windows. This compact utility is not only free but also capable of handling a wide range of audio and video format conversions. Despite its robust functionality, XMedia Recode boasts relatively modest system requirements for encoding media files.
The process of converting media files using this application is quite simple. Just drag and drop your video file into the program, choose the desired output format (in this case, MP4), click the ‘Encode’ button, and witness your MKV file seamlessly transform into an MP4 file.
For more experienced users, XMedia Recode offers an array of advanced customization options for audio and video formats. It also includes support for subtitles, a chapter editor, and pre-configured filters.
To convert your MKV file to MP4 using XMedia Recode, follow these steps:
1. Visit the XMedia Recode website and download the latest version of the application to your computer. After downloading, run the installer and complete the installation process.
2. Launch XMedia Recode.
3. Load your media file by simply dragging and dropping it onto the application interface. Once the file is loaded, select it to access the conversion options.
4. In the ‘Format’ tab, set the ‘Profile’ to ‘Custom’ and the ‘Format’ to ‘MP4.'”
5. Then, proceed to choose ‘Video’ and ‘Audio’ within the ‘Output stream type’ section.
6. Subsequently, click on ‘Browse’ to designate the destination where the converted video will be saved.
7. For more advanced customization features, explore the ‘Video,’ ‘Audio,’ ‘Subtitle,’ ‘Filters/Preview,’ and ‘Chapter Editor’ tabs.
8. To initiate the conversion process, click the prominent plus (+) ‘Add to queue’ icon located in the toolbar. This action will create a conversion job and add it to the queue.
9. Following this, navigate to the ‘Queue’ tab and select the conversion job you’ve created.
Finally, click ‘Encode’ in the toolbar to commence the conversion of the media file.
The duration of the MKV to MP4 conversion can vary, ranging from a few seconds to potentially several minutes or even hours, contingent upon factors such as the video’s size, any additional customizations, and your computer’s hardware capabilities. Once the conversion is complete, click ‘OK.’
Download Link: XMedia Recode (Free)”
CloudConvert, the cloud-based conversion service
“CloudConvert is an online video converter that supports multiple formats. It provides both free and premium options, enabling you to quickly convert your MKV videos to MP4. You can upload videos from your local storage and various cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and even from a URL.
Using the free option, you can perform up to 25 conversions per day. For more extensive usage, there’s the option to subscribe to conversion minute packages that offer unlimited file size and a processing time of up to five hours per file.
Here’s how to utilize CloudConvert:
1. Visit the CloudConvert website and click on ‘Select File.’
2. Choose the file you want to upload.
3. Once the file is selected, click the drop-down menu for ‘Convert to’ and select ‘MP4’ from the available formats.
4. Click the ‘Wrench’ icon (Settings) to tailor the output settings. You can adjust parameters like video resolution, aspect ratio, video codec, profile, presets, and more.
5. Click the ‘Convert’ button to initiate the conversion process.
6. CloudConvert will first upload the chosen video. The duration of this step depends on the file’s size and your internet speed, so it may take some time.
7. After the video is processed, it will be displayed in a preview dialog. Click the ‘Download’ button to save the video to your local hard drive.
To remove the video from CloudConvert’s server, click the small red ‘X’ icon next to your video title. All your videos will be permanently deleted within 24 hours.
CloudConvert is user-friendly, and the 25 free daily conversions make it a great tool for occasional use. However, if you have privacy concerns, you might want to consider using an offline converter to keep your videos on your local drive.”
Convert MKV to MP4 with OBS
“An often-overlooked feature of OBS is its in-built MKV to MP4 conversion functionality. OBS, short for Open Broadcaster Software, is a free and open-source, cross-platform tool primarily designed for video streaming and game recording.
OBS may not be your typical video converter, but it proves handy due to its default recording format, MKV. To aid users in the task of converting MKV files to MP4, the developers have incorporated a ‘Remux Recordings’ feature. Here’s how to effectively use this feature to transform your Matroska video files into MP4:
1. If you don’t already have OBS installed, download and install it.
2. Once installed, launch OBS.
3. Click ‘File’ and select ‘Remux Recordings.’
In the ‘Remux Recordings’ dialog, simply drag and drop your MKV file(s) into the ‘OBS Recordings’ area. It supports batch conversion, so you can add multiple files at once.
4. In the ‘Target File’ section, you’ll notice the default save location. OBS usually sets the source folder as the destination. To alter the destination folder, click the three-dots (…) button.
5. Click ‘Remux’ to initiate the conversion process. OBS will commence the video conversion, and the duration may vary based on the video’s size.
6. Once the conversion is complete, click ‘OK.’
While OBS efficiently converts MKV files to MP4 format, it does not provide customization options. If you require more control and customization, consider using XMedia Recode or HandBrake as better alternatives.”
“Utilize VLC Media Player for MKV to MP4 Conversion”
“VLC is a free, open-source multimedia player known for its compatibility with nearly all audio and video formats, including MKV. If you have VLC installed, there’s no need for conversion; you can play MKV videos directly.
However, if you do require MKV to MP4 conversion, VLC offers a hidden gem in the form of its ‘Convert’ feature. Here’s how to use this feature within the VLC media player:
1. Launch the VLC media player application on your PC.
2. Within the VLC main window, go to ‘Media’ and select ‘Convert/Save.’ Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + R to access ‘Convert/Save.'”
3. Following that, click the ‘Add’ button and navigate to the location of the MKV video you intend to convert.
4. Once the video is selected, proceed to click ‘Convert/Save.’
5. In the ‘Convert’ dialog, access the drop-down menu for ‘Profile’ and opt for ‘Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).’
6. Then, click on ‘Browse’ to designate the destination where the converted file will be saved.
You might need to provide a new name for the file to prevent VLC media player from overwriting your original MKV file if it resides in the same destination.
Once these settings are configured, click ‘Start.’
The VLC media player timeline will display the progress of the conversion. Upon completion, the converted video will be saved to the specified destination folder.
It’s important to note that while VLC offers a convenient video conversion feature, it can be relatively slow and might sometimes produce incomplete output with missing audio or compromised video quality.
Download Link: VLC Media Player (Free)”
4. HandBrake
“HandBrake, an open-source video converter, is available for free and boasts support for nearly all media formats. This versatile application is compatible with various platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
HandBrake is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it one of the simplest video conversion tools available. For basic conversions, you can easily drag and drop your video onto the application, and it will automatically apply commonly used container settings. Afterward, you can specify the destination folder and commence the encoding process to convert the video.
For those seeking more advanced options, HandBrake offers a plethora of features. You can customize subtitles, insert chapter markers, perform batch scans, apply video filters, and much more.
Here’s a guide on how to use HandBrake for MKV to MP4 conversion:”
“Begin by visiting the HandBrake website and downloading the installer. Execute the setup file and proceed with the application’s installation.
Following that, navigate to the Microsoft .NET download page and acquire the .NET 6.0 SDK x64. This step is crucial as HandBrake may fail to launch or operate effectively without it.
Once the prerequisites are in place, launch HandBrake.
1. Access the ‘File’ menu and select the MKV file you wish to convert. Alternatively, you can employ the convenience of drag-and-drop to open the file within the application.
2. In the ‘Summary’ tab, ensure that the ‘Format’ is configured to ‘MP4.’ HandBrake generally employs default MP4 container settings.
3. Click on ‘Browse’ to specify the location where you want to save the newly converted file.
4. If desired, you can rename the file and then click ‘Save.’
5. In the main window of HandBrake, initiate the conversion process by clicking ‘Start Encode.’ HandBrake will then commence encoding the video, and the duration of this process is contingent on the file size and your system’s capabilities.
The primary drawback of using HandBrake lies in the necessity to download additional .NET tools from Microsoft. Nevertheless, it remains an outstanding open-source video conversion utility suitable for both casual and advanced users. HandBrake can also be utilized to compress and reduce video file size without sacrificing quality.
Download Link: HandBrake”
Converting MKV to MP4 on Windows is a Simple Task
“Converting your MKV file to MP4 enables seamless sharing and playback on a wide range of video-compatible devices. The transition doesn’t alter the output size, and you won’t experience any loss in video quality.
For a swift and straightforward conversion, VLC media player is a reliable choice. If you seek more advanced features and customization, HandBrake is a powerful, free-to-use option. Additionally, a variety of online video converters are available, offering the convenience of converting from any location and on various devices, albeit with certain limitations.”