MKV to MP4 and vice versa?

[Dark Shikari]

Is it possible to convert an MKV file with H.264 video to an MP4 file (or vice versa) in a lossless fashion--that is, remuxing the video stream? If so, how?

[Henrikx]

1.MKVextractGUI.exe
Ectract all your Video/Audio/Chapter/Subtitle-Files.
2.Yamb.exe
Mux all your Video/Audio/Chapter/Subtitle-Files to MP4.

That´s all.

[ONeill]

I'm trying to do the same, but yamb doesn't accpet the ac3 sound format.

[Henrikx]

@ONeill
MP4
# Video: MPEG-4 (Part 2, Part 10 (AVC/H.264)), MPEG-2 und MPEG-1
# Audio: AAC, MP3, MP2, MP1, CELP , TwinVQ, SAOL (MIDI)
# Pictures: JPEG, PNG

[foxyshadis]

Haali's gdsmux is another option. Just make sure the output is named mp4, and it should be smooth and simple.

Edit: For AC3, you might need to use Nero, I don't know if gdsmux can do it either, since it's nonstandard.

[Henrikx]

@foxyshadis
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3716/79772255so3.th.png (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=79772255so3.png)
No good result...Perhaps it is good for AVI to MP4.

MPC refused
VLC without chapters and sub-titles,Audio problems,
same with Mplayer

[Awatef]

@ Henrikx
May be this is due to the subs?! Afaik, MP4 needs the "MPEG-4 Timed Text" subtitle format.
I tried transforming many sub-less MKVs to MP4 using gdsmux, they work flawlessly in all kind of players: The Core Media Player 4.11, PowerDVD 6, Windows Media Player 11 and even the old good 6.4 version.
The only thing I find frustrating is that mkvmerge doesn't accept them once I want them back to MKV. I need to go through YAMB to demux the MP4, so that mkvmerge would accept the components.

[Henrikx]

@Awatef
THX
May be this is due to the subs? Perhaps you are right !
Subs created with Subrib (OCR)
Chapters created with ChapterXtractor (Format = OGG)
My Chapters are not indicated in gdsmux

No matter, was only a test, perhaps I need it once.
But for the moment, I make everything in MKV.

[PuzZLeR]

Not sure if it's been pointed out but the MP4 container doesn't support AC3.

As far as MP4 vs MKV is concerned (for AVC at least) I would stick with MP4. Yes, MKV is superior, but there are two reasons for my choice of MP4.

1.Anything supporting MKV also supports MP4. I have yet to see any device/decoder supporting MKV and not MP4.

2.It's easy muxing video from MP4 to MKV if you need to, but the reverse doesn't work as well (for me at least). I'm safe in MP4.

And as far as AC3 not being supported is concerned, the makers of HandBrake (a GUI for x264) have managed to conserve the Dolby surround sound features into AAC and is compatible everywhere AAC is decoded.

I can feel the reaction from the MKV lovers in this forum, and I understand. But my number one priority of my video has always been compatibility first.

[Henrikx]

@PuzZLeR
About MKV
The core libraries stand under the GNU LGPL. I do not support containers or formats, which stand not under the GNU GPL /LPGL..
Compatibility is not important to me, and has no priority.
I don´t want to be a plaything for Nero/Ahead or any company.
For me, MKV permits the largest liberties,and is the better Container.
That is my personal opinion. Everyone after its taste.

[bond]

mp4 doesnt support ac3 and never will until there are official specs available

you need to reencode the ac3 audio to aac

moved

[Drachir]

@PuzZLeR
About MKV
The core libraries stand under the GNU LGPL. I do not support containers or formats, which stand not under the GNU GPL /LPGL.
...

There are GNU GPL /LPGL implementations of the MP4 File Format too.

[bond]

apart from that containers never "stand under" those sort of licenses

either they
- are open standard or closed standard
- use patented technology or not
- are license free (as in "you dont need to pay anything when using the container") or not

[Henrikx]

@bond
Thanks for your answers
"you dont need to pay anything when using the container"
Your word in God ears.
Stabilization of “mental property” as new form of industry. Topic of the G8. (6. -8. June 2007 Germany/Heiligendamm)
We will see, what happens in the next time.