02-11-2011, 11:45 AM

Hello, Could some body tell me how to convert an MKV into DiVX or Avi or another usual format, loosing a minimum of quality.
Thank you very much for an answer.

02-11-2011, 12:11 PM

Not easy, and why?
ffmpegx will do it, and you can select quality level, but curious why you want to. MKV is already compressed.

02-11-2011, 01:14 PM

thank you for your answer Kevriano, I hav a panasonic tv , which apparently does not accept it.

02-11-2011, 03:08 PM

Ok, so you need to convert to a format that will play in a DVD player? Or to play from a memory stick direct to the TV?
Just want to be clear before advising further.

03-27-2011, 06:14 PM

Hey Kev, I have the same issue. I want to play files on my xbox 360, which only accepts avi and divx, however most of my catalog is in mkv. Still suggest ffmpegx? Thanks for the advice.

03-28-2011, 07:28 AM

Yes I would say ffmpegx still, or maybe Video Monkey, which I haven't had chance to test yet, but will convert MKV I believe.
I would also think, and it may be better, that older versions of Handbrake would do the job better. They are still available, you would need 0.9.3 I believe, which was the last version to support AVI.

03-28-2011, 05:20 PM

iSkysoft video converter does the job.

Also you could consider buying a cyclone HD enclosure from Sumvision - this is what I have my MKV's on and play them through HDMI on the TV.

03-29-2011, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Fatboydim

iSkysoft video converter does the job.

Also you could consider buying a cyclone HD enclosure from Sumvision - this is what I have my MKV's on and play them through HDMI on the TV.

Yes it may well do, but it's dreadful, and is seriously dodgy.
There are many ways of playing MKV on your TV, that's not what was asked though.

03-29-2011, 10:38 AM

I have used handbrake to convert MKV files its worked good so far, i usually convert to quicktime though not avi, i believe handbrake has an option for avi as well.

03-29-2011, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by gummyroids

I have used handbrake to convert MKV files its worked good so far, i usually convert to quicktime though not avi, i believe handbrake has an option for avi as well.

Older versions yes, as I indicated, not the current version though.

03-29-2011, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Kevriano

Yes it may well do, but it's dreadful, and is seriously dodgy.
There are many ways of playing MKV on your TV, that's not what was asked though.

What iskysoft? I've had no problems with it.

And forgive me for trying to be helpful.

I also believe Toast Titanium 11 handles MKV conversion now as well.

03-29-2011, 02:02 PM

I know you were, wasn't being offish, though looking back it may seem so.
Anyway, iSkysoft and it's clones are considered a kind of spam software, and are not looked upon favourably. The results are not what you'd call quality.
Toast 11 possibly does, not gone for the upgrade yet, but it's not cheap, so may be out of the quesion here.

03-29-2011, 02:31 PM

I guess it depends what you need to do with it. For a simple convertor it does a pretty good job. Of course like everything it depends what you put into it. I use it for original material generally shot in HD - edited in FCP - exported via the quicktime conversion method and then uploaded to my Vimeo channel. Then if I'm asked for an Avi version or m4v it does the job simply and effectively. Wasn't aware it's was regarded in the way you describe, but definitely cheaper than Toast Titanium Pro.

03-29-2011, 02:56 PM

Right, for that I imagine it's fine then, as ultimately quality isn't a great issue I guess.
Interesting that you use it for filmed HD content too.

03-29-2011, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Kevriano

Right, for that I imagine it's fine then, as ultimately quality isn't a great issue I guess.
Interesting that you use it for filmed HD content too.

If you have a good workflow in FCP / Compressor it will yield the results.

Then tinker with the settings in iskysoft, there is very little loss in quality. Bringing down a file that was originally 115gb to around 2gb - showing on a 42inch plasma. Some digital noise in dark scenes - but that's actually more to do with the quality of the camera, as even movies shot on Red have bad artefacting. I haven't tried ffmpegx - maybe I'll give it a go sometime.