Converting MKV to MP4/M4V

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Converting MKV to MP4/M4V

trig42

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#114886 6-Mar-2013 12:28

I'm looking to convert some MKVs to MP4/M4V (for Apple TV). Googling comes up with a whole lot of software that offers trials.

I was wondering what people here use?

I will be running from PC (Win7),

I don't mind paying for it, but if there is a freebie that can do the trick I'd be stoked.
I'd like it to be run a batch of conversions (so I can just leave it running) if possible. Most of the MKVs are 720P with DD5.1 or DTS audio tracks.

gehenna

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#775611 6-Mar-2013 12:32

If you use Quicktime Pro 7 all you have to do is change the audio type and resave the file, no transcoding required.

Alternatively try Handbrake.

dontpanic42

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#775620 6-Mar-2013 12:41

VLC will probably do what you want, but I find it's sometimes a bit hit and miss.

You could also try demuxing the MKV using mkvExtractGUI-2 (requires mkvtoolnix), and then re-mux into m4v using My MP4Box GUI - http://www.videohelp.com/tools/My-MP4Box-GUI

dontpanic42

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#775632 6-Mar-2013 12:45

That being said, here's a nice page of supposed MKV to Mp4/M4V converters here.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/all-in-one-mkv-to-mp4-avchd-ts

This one - http://www.videohelp.com/tools/MkvToMp4 - looks like it should do what you're after.

HTH :)

NonprayingMantis

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#775634 6-Mar-2013 12:48

I use airplayit on my PC to stream stuff to my ipad (and airplay to apple TV).

the Pc software also has the ability to convert files to MP4 optimised for various different devices (i.e. you choose Apple Tv, ipad, android, etc and what resolution you want). So far it has converted everything I have thrown at it.

It is totally free and, so far,I have found no restrictions on it

link: http://www.airplayit.com/

what is really strange is that they dont promote this ability at all - it barely even rates a mention in their instruction manual online, but so far it as worked perfectly.

davidcole

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#775636 6-Mar-2013 12:52

Handbrake, it comes with Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3 profiles.

Either run it in the GUI or batch them up into a batch script.

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dontpanic42

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#775641 6-Mar-2013 12:57

davidcole: Handbrake, it comes with Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3 profiles.

Either run it in the GUI or batch them up into a batch script.

Handbrake would definitely work, but it would add the unnecessary stage of transcoding them again.
The MKVs will probably have H.264 video, and (as already stated) has DD5.1 or DTS.

These two stream types can be re-muxed straight into an MP4/M4V file without the need to spend a couple of hours re-encoding each file.

That being said, the OP may want to re-encode, or perhaps only re-encode the audio to AAC or similar.
Not sure why you would want to re-encode to inferior AAC, but maybe to save space?

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trig42

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#775643 6-Mar-2013 12:58

AirPlayit looks quite nice. It's free in the App Store. Will have to have a play.
I do want to convert so that they all show in the ATV library. I don't think they will with AirPlayIt, but it is a good remote option.
MKVtoMP4 looks like a good option too. I wonder if it really is freeware though - a lot of these say freeware, then when you do you conversion, you either get a watermark, or only the first 5 minutes or something.

dontpanic42

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#775651 6-Mar-2013 13:15

trig42:
MKVtoMP4 looks like a good option too. I wonder if it really is freeware though - a lot of these say freeware, then when you do you conversion, you either get a watermark, or only the first 5 minutes or something.

Just tried MKVtoMP4 with an MKV file.
It worked perfectly. No watermarks etc.
There are just a few settings to check to make sure it is passing thru audio, instead of re-encoding to AAC.

trig42

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#775689 6-Mar-2013 14:32

Great, Thanks. Will try tonight.

plod

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#775724 6-Mar-2013 15:19

Are you mac or windows? If mac try smart converter. It's free, and only changes what needs to be changed.
Just looked, its on windows as well