Digital Technology Trends
If you need to work with HD videos or incorporate subtitles, video files in MKV format will be perfect for your purposes (MKV to MP4).
However, you need to know that not everything is perfect: since these have not reached the massiveness of MP4, sometimes you could find problems when trying to play them.
But don’t waste yourself looking for a compatible program; better learn how to convert MKV files to MP4 and watch them on any device.
Some of the most common MKV files usually come from DVD and Blu-ray movie recordings, but it is not uncommon to see them in downloaded or converted YouTube videos.
Wherever it comes from, the MP4 format is a much more compatible media standard with most modern devices, so it’s well worth knowing how to do this conversion.
1. Other guides
- How to Convert VHS to DVD
- How to Convert M4A to MP3
- How to upload videos to YouTube
2. VLC (Windows / macOS)
The VLC media player can recognize and play almost any video format, including MKV. Better yet, you can also convert them to something more universal, like MP4.
Step 1
Head over to the VideoLAN home page and download VLC. Be sure to read the fine print to the install, so you know you’re not installing on your computer any bloatware or software inflated.
Step 2
Open the software and click the Media tab in the upper left corner and select Convert / Save from the drop-down menu.
Step 3
Click the Add button and locate the file you want to convert on your PC. Once selected, press the Convert / Save button at the bottom of the window.
Step 4
specify the video format you want. In this case, we recommend H.264 + Mp3 (MP4), using the drop-down menu next to “Profile.” By clicking on the tool icon, you will also be able to make more specific configuration settings.
Step 5
specify in Destination where you want VLC to export your file. Then click Start. The timeline will turn into a progress bar, and once it’s finished, your video is ready.
Remember that the old MKV file will still exist. If you don’t want the old file anymore and prefer more storage space on your computer, you should delete all your old MKV files when you’re done.
3. Online File Converter (Cloud Convert)
If you are not convinced to install a program to transform your files, several websites will do the job for free. However, Cloud Convert is one of our favorites because it is simple and supports a wide range of file formats.
It is important to note that you will have to upload your video files to a server, and the company that converts them may have access to them.
The Cloud Converter Privacy Policy is clear that it does not review the files. However, it is still essential to consider it before converting anything you do not want to be exposed to.
Step 1: Go to the Cloud Convert home page and upload your file. You can browse the file via the Select File tab or import it from Google Drive, Dropbox, and other storage services.
Step 2: Click the button with a down arrow next to where it says Convert to and select MP4 from the list of formats.
Step 3: When the conversion process is complete, a green download icon will appear. Click on it to download your newly converted video.
Keep in mind that if you are going to convert files to MP4 frequently, you may want to download Cloud Convert as a Chrome extension or an iOS application.
