MKV or MP4

[woodchuck]

So I'm moving my collection to HDD using Handbrake. I know lots of people use MKV, but why would I not just use MP4, so I don't have to start modding my 7MC setup with Codec packs and the like? MKV fans, what say ye?

[milli260876]

U could go m2ts... Mkv is better for handling different audio types and subtitles if u don't need them you are fine!

[woodchuck]

I'm assuming I'll need TMT or similar to play the m2ts?

[richard1980]

MP4 and MKV are just containers, and as such, you don't need any 3rd party codecs to open either file format. MP4 is natively supported by WMC, but MKV will require adding a media splitter (such as Haali). As for which you should choose, it depends on what you are going to be doing. MKV isn't as widely supported as MP4, but MKV offers advantages over MP4 for the players that do support it. For example, MKV can contain virtually any codec, while MP4 can only contain MPEG-4 (though it is possible to get other codecs inside the MP4 container).

[staknhalo]

If you go .mp4 via Handbrake you're gonna have to compress the video at least. whereas .mkv can contain the uncompressed streams.

[milli260876]

M2ts will play native in wmc not sure about extenders if u use them...

[Shackleford]

M2ts works natively on extenders too. All my stuff is m2ts.

[staknhalo]

If you have Blu-ray movies with subtitles though, it will be less steps to just go .mp4 via Handbrake by the way. For the other formats you would have to burn in and then remux, or don't burn in and use codec packs. Less steps if you just go .mp4.

[woodchuck]

M2ts will play native in wmc not sure about extenders if u use them...

Really? I just get an error about installing a Bluray player. Can someone confirm?

[staknhalo]

M2ts will play native in wmc not sure about extenders if u use them...

Really? I just get an error about installing a Bluray player. Can someone confirm?

Can't be in BR folder structure - just a single .m2ts file.

[mark1234]

I've never used MKV as I dislike installing software on my 7MC machine, so my stuff is in mp4 or m2ts. Both work fine on an Xbox extender, but my DMA2200 struggles like anything with m2ts.

[woodchuck]

So you guys use some program to combine all the m2ts files then? Which program do you prefer?

[staknhalo]

DVDFab

I do .mkv though. No way to do PGS subtitles (unless burned in - which I don't want - want untouched video/audio) with .m2ts from what I know. So, I have to do .mkv + Shark's codec pack. His latest release makes 1:1 BR .mkv almost playable on the Echo. Not there yet, but the closest it's ever been. Hopefully a couple of releases down the road, it will work probably not though

[jjhtpc]

This probably depends on how your home theater is setup.

MP4 does not support DTS. The best format you could encode to that is supported in the container is Dolby Digital and that is not officially supported which would leave you with AAC.

If you plan on bitstreaming MKV is about your only option. To get this to work proper a codec pack is required. Shark 007 is the one I use and Shark is an active participant on this site from time to time.

[richard1980]

If you plan on bitstreaming MKV is about your only option. To get this to work proper a codec pack is required.

That is absolutely incorrect. See my post above.

[jjhtpc]

If you plan on bitstreaming MKV is about your only option. To get this to work proper a codec pack is required.

That is absolutely incorrect. See my post above.

I stand corrected. I didn't realize handbrake had made the change... wow and that was last year. Shows how much of a creature of habit I am. If that is the case the only real difference is the ability to add chapters, and for me that is not a big deal. So fire away OP MP4 or MKV should be pretty much the same.