mkv or mp4?

[newpball]

What do you prefer?

[Jamaika]

What is this survey?
Figuring out which is better MKV or MP4 does not make sense?
Most importantly, do you, the customer can in your TV to pick up the containers with big bitrate film.
The rest is irrelevant.
There are also voices. Since the cameras record in XAVCS / MOV. Original losslessly cut to pendrive and all.

[redwudz]

Definitely MKV. I use H.264 video/AC3 audio. Last time I used XVID or other MP4 variants was several years ago.

[Stears555]

mp4 is a backward format. Even the flv container is better for web videos.

[newpball]

Definitely MKV. I use H.264 video/AC3 audio. Last time I used XVID or other MP4 variants was several years ago.

mp4 supports H.264 and AC-3 as well.

[netmask56]

It really depends on what your media player us best at handling. In general my media players do a better job with MKV than MP4. In some instances simply putting a MP4 file in a MKV container will make the difference between easy navigation or not. So I think the poll is meaningless.

[newpball]

Folks, mp4 is a container, we are comparing the mkv container with the mp4 container.

[El Heggunte]

mp4 is a backward format. Even the flv container is better for web videos.

According to Kostya, ALL containers suck, and FLV sucks more

http://codecs.multimedia.cx/?p=676

[Shilar]

Folks, mp4 is a container, we are comparing the mkv container with the mp4 container.

IMO, as a container MKV sucks. While it can store whatever video/audio/subtitles, even multiple... but on the consumer end it's a royal pain. The worst conversion I had... I had to rip the whole MKV apart just to find out not one font for the subtitles came out... so I had to hunt for them. Why convert? Because half my players don't like MKV and all the variations that people make for MKV. It's open-source... but too open-ended for a lot of players to work right with them. MP4 is more end-user friendly, and works correctly with 9/10 players.


However, not one container has developed a good full-3D format, only half-3D.

[_Al_]

IMO, as a container MKV sucks. While it can store whatever video/audio/subtitles, even multiple... Because half my players don't like MKV

So just to follow logic, it is players that suck then, not MKV.

It's like getting a horse that eats dandelions only, not grass or whatever else and complain that horse food sucks, that dandelions are the best.

[Brad]

I tend to prefer MP4 because of wider device compatibility. But the options available for subtitles seem to be worse than MKV, and I don't believe it supports the lossless audio codecs from HD optical media or FLAC. So it depends what streams a given piece of content has, but I voted for MP4 rather than the bland "it depends".

[Shilar]

IMO, as a container MKV sucks. While it can store whatever video/audio/subtitles, even multiple... Because half my players don't like MKV

So just to follow logic, it is players that suck then, not MKV.

It's like getting a horse that eats dandelions only, not grass or whatever else and complain that horse food sucks, that dandelions are the best.

In this case no. I can take 3 MKVs that are formatted similarly, and play them on a player known for compatibility with MKV, and... one won't play, one will play, but not the subtitles, and maybe the last one will play. MP4, all 3 would play.

It's more like buying a horse that can supposedly eat all (grass, hay, dandelions), but each place you go to, the horse either refuses to eat them, only eats grass in another, and maybe will graze on it all in the last one, whereas I could get a COW, and it don't care where I put it, it'll eat the food.

[newpball]

[
In this case no. I can take 3 MKVs that are formatted similarly, and play them on a player known for compatibility with MKV, and... one won't play, one will play, but not the subtitles, and maybe the last one will play. MP4, all 3 would play.

Interesting, perhaps the brilliant firmware engineers are more well-versed in mp4?

[Shilar]

[
In this case no. I can take 3 MKVs that are formatted similarly, and play them on a player known for compatibility with MKV, and... one won't play, one will play, but not the subtitles, and maybe the last one will play. MP4, all 3 would play.

Interesting, perhaps the brilliant firmware engineers are more well-versed in mp4?

Could be, but considering MKV's very open format system is hard to compress to play on every player (whereas MP4 can), it could be possible that MKV is a clunky old format, which has spotty reliability. Even "standardized" Aegisub softsubs (the staple of MKV) don't play out on many of the players, if at all. Sometimes oddball format audio (most players like ac3/aac/dts) throws the MKV system in players for a loop. Sure it plays great on a computer, but there is no guarantee it'll be nice and smooth on a tablet, or an Android box. mp4... perfectly plays, even with oddball audio/video.

[johns0]

I never have any issues with mkv,i find it much easier to use then mp4,it's only your opinion that it's clunky,seems like you have ancient computer that's the problem.

[Shilar]

I never have any issues with mkv,i find it much easier to use then mp4,it's only your opinion that it's clunky,seems like you have ancient computer that's the problem.

No it plays fine on the PC.... it doesn't play well with other devices (ie set-top boxes, tablets, etc).

[_Al_]

Could be, but considering MKV's very open format system is hard to compress to play on every player (whereas MP4 can), it could be possible that MKV is a clunky old format, which has spotty reliability. Even "standardized" Aegisub softsubs (the staple of MKV) don't play out on many of the players, if at all. Sometimes oddball format audio (most players like ac3/aac/dts) throws the MKV system in players for a loop. Sure it plays great on a computer, but there is no guarantee it'll be nice and smooth on a tablet, or an Android box. mp4... perfectly plays, even with oddball audio/video.

I would not say clanky format, it is container,...., It is hard to write bulletproof firmware for 30 video, audio, subtitles.
You say mp4 is good, because it is more reliable , but that is because it has its limitations, you mux into mp4 formats that you can count on your hand. It is something like DVD you have couple of choices and it would work. With MKV you are responsible, and sure I would not put any format that is out there into it or any that is a "standard". MKV cannot be blamed for that. What aegisub standardized format means? Any subtitle? You cannot expect guy or a team that writes a firmware to tuned it up for 10 subtitle formats. I'd go with srt or PGS or Vobsub and even those last two might be tricky for this or that player. But WDTV Live can play all of those three within MKV and those subtitles are what I'd choose, non other. It even makes sense, srt, text file , pretty common, PGS is BD subtitle, VobSub is DVD subtitle.
Similar for audio, ...,for example, if fan of FLAC, well, you cannot expect any player to play it. If you want to be sure, you have to be responsible and put some nice AC3 in MKV. This is not MKV fault. This variety comes with responsibility what to put in it if caring about others.

[Cornucopia]

They both have their pluses & minuses.

For consumers:
If I were going for versatility, along with avoiding licensing fees: MKV.
If I were going for compatibility, along with NOT necessarily avoiding licensing fees: MP4.

Scott

[Shilar]

Could be, but considering MKV's very open format system is hard to compress to play on every player (whereas MP4 can), it could be possible that MKV is a clunky old format, which has spotty reliability. Even "standardized" Aegisub softsubs (the staple of MKV) don't play out on many of the players, if at all. Sometimes oddball format audio (most players like ac3/aac/dts) throws the MKV system in players for a loop. Sure it plays great on a computer, but there is no guarantee it'll be nice and smooth on a tablet, or an Android box. mp4... perfectly plays, even with oddball audio/video.

I would not say clanky format, it is container,...., It is hard to write bulletproof firmware for 30 video, audio, subtitles.
You say mp4 is good, because it is more reliable , but that is because it has its limitations, you mux into mp4 formats that you can count on your hand. It is something like DVD you have couple of choices and it would work. With MKV you are responsible, and sure I would not put any format that is out there into it or any that is a "standard". MKV cannot be blamed for that. What aegisub standardized format means? Any subtitle? You cannot expect guy or a team that writes a firmware to tuned it up for 10 subtitle formats. I'd go with srt or PGS or Vobsub and even those last two might be tricky for this or that player. But WDTV Live can play all of those three within MKV and that is what I'd choose, non other. It even makes sense, srt, text file , pretty common, PGS is BD subtitle, VobSub is DVD subtitle.
Similar for audio, ...,for example, if fan of FLAC, well, you cannot expect any player to play it. If you want to be sure, you have to be responsible and put some nice AC3 in MKV. This is not MKV fault. This variety comes with responsibility what to put in it if caring about others.

Sorry, getting more ahead of myself, yes it is a container.

Most MKV players I know about support the "Divx" standard, or similar to it (yes, divx has a standard for MKV files). It is just as limited as MP4 is, supporting SRT at best (not even Vobsubs are compatible), normal video and audio formats. Want subs? Have to hardcode them or convert (one's easy but leaves a mess on the video permenantly, the other is a major pain sometimes).

The most common subtitle format I run into (Aegisub) is not supported on quite a few converters, and Vobsub even less so. Only Subrip is supported widely, yet is hardly ever used. To make an MKV work on a lot of players, I have to use a standard: No subtitle (ie hardcode subs if there are any), and use a standard video and audio format (which might lower the amount of audio channels). With that being the case, MP4 is pretty good to compete, and is still more compatible. Plus, little conversion is needed (if any), and can retain all audio channels (up to DTS). I even do local streaming to my Android box, play 3D video with my TV, can simply move to my flash card for my smartphone or netbook, and play it without any hiccups.

[hello_hello]

The first thing I do when I'm given an MP4 is remux it as an MKV. I've no problem playing MKV using any of the hardware players in this house. I even play MKVs on my Android smartphone with MXPlayer. MKV is much easier to work with than MP4, mainly thanks to MKVMergeGUI.

[fritzi93]

Same here. A big factor in my going with MKV was the availability of tools like MMG and MKVCleaver.

Never had any issues with H.264 and AC3 in MKV.

[EDIT] Well, some chose the last option in the poll. I was tempted, but couldn't choose more than one.

[_Al_]

Most MKV players I know about support the "Divx" standard, or similar to it (yes, divx has a standard for MKV files). It is just as limited as MP4 is, supporting SRT at best (not even Vobsubs are compatible), normal video and audio formats. Want subs? Have to hardcode them or convert (one's easy but leaves a mess on the video permenantly, the other is a major pain sometimes).

The most common subtitle format I run into (Aegisub) is not supported on quite a few converters, and Vobsub even less so. Only Subrip is supported widely, yet is hardly ever used. To make an MKV work on a lot of players, I have to use a standard: No subtitle (ie hardcode subs if there are any), and use a standard video and audio format (which might lower the amount of audio channels). With that being the case, MP4 is pretty good to compete, and is still more compatible. Plus, little conversion is needed (if any), and can retain all audio channels (up to DTS). I even do local streaming to my Android box, play 3D video with my TV, can simply move to my flash card for my smartphone or netbook, and play it without any hiccups.

So when you download DivX and it is not working with subs in MKV, you transcode it to MP4 or hardsub it? That is not solving anything. You just need player that plays it all (if that exists) or you just download something that was done by someone who cares. Or those people intended this to be watched as DivX. Or that person is part of community that does not care, want to be special, that does this all the time, watching these things on PC only, or using "their" type of subtitle format, and you have to understand this but not to blame MKV container or hardware player.

Btw. I kind of do not believe that you cannot make some working subtitles with something, some subtitle software, and put that into MKV that would work. You just use hardware player that is bad for MKV. For example, ask apple user how their device naturally handles MKV. Apple tries to create enclosed community with all good and bad that comes with it. Same anime fans in a sense. Again, you never mentioned what hardware players you have. You have to have proper one, not some Sony BD player or something that is perhaps design to sabotage those. For every thing you have to have proper tool.

MP4 would not carry subtitles we talk about here. MKV would play them, but your player would not play it. That does not mean that MKV is bad. That Mp4 would not even carry those in the first place.

[badyu17]

MKV all the way, hw player that don't support in 2015 is the player you shouldn't buy. Even my generic LCD TV plays it with no problems.

[Shilar]

Most MKV players I know about support the "Divx" standard, or similar to it (yes, divx has a standard for MKV files). It is just as limited as MP4 is, supporting SRT at best (not even Vobsubs are compatible), normal video and audio formats. Want subs? Have to hardcode them or convert (one's easy but leaves a mess on the video permenantly, the other is a major pain sometimes).

The most common subtitle format I run into (Aegisub) is not supported on quite a few converters, and Vobsub even less so. Only Subrip is supported widely, yet is hardly ever used. To make an MKV work on a lot of players, I have to use a standard: No subtitle (ie hardcode subs if there are any), and use a standard video and audio format (which might lower the amount of audio channels). With that being the case, MP4 is pretty good to compete, and is still more compatible. Plus, little conversion is needed (if any), and can retain all audio channels (up to DTS). I even do local streaming to my Android box, play 3D video with my TV, can simply move to my flash card for my smartphone or netbook, and play it without any hiccups.

So when you download DivX and it is not working with subs in MKV, you transcode it to MP4 or hardsub it? That is not solving anything. You just need player that plays it all (if that exists) or you just download something that was done by someone who cares. Or those people intended this to be watched as DivX. Or that person is part of community that does not care, want to be special, that does this all the time, watching these things on PC only, or using "their" type of subtitle format, and you have to understand this but not to blame MKV container or hardware player.

I don't use Divx, just the standard to receive the best compatibility. However, considering, as I said, that usually only Subrip works with MKV on H/W player (which is almost the same for MP4), I have to hardsub just to see the subs. Again, Aegisub is the most used subtitle format I see in MKV containers, yet very few hardware players support it... they only support Subrip.

Btw. I kind of do not believe that you cannot make some working subtitles with something, some subtitle software, and put that into MKV that would work. You just use hardware player that is bad for MKV. For example, ask apple user how their device naturally handles MKV. Apple tries to create enclosed community with all good and bad that comes with it. Same anime fans in a sense. Again, you never mentioned what hardware players you have. You have to have proper one, not some Sony BD player or something that is perhaps design to sabotage those. For every thing you have to have proper tool.

I use Blu-ray players yes, but not Sony. I plug them into my TVs, into the players, a few into my Android settop box, use a low-end HTPC with Kodi, couple of netbooks (running ARM)... even my Xbox360 (though I do have the PS3). My HTPC sputters but can play high-end MKV, as would the Android box. Subs don't work in others, and the TVs don't like them period.

MP4 would not carry subtitles we talk about here. MKV would play them, but your player would not play it. That does not mean that MKV is bad. That Mp4 would not even carry those in the first place.

But in this case, Either way I have to hardsub, and MKV requires more resources than MP4 for playback on some machines, which MP4 is usually included in all the devices (even AppleTV likes MP4, since they were the first to have it).

[_Al_]

Why don't you fix your signature, crappy mkv is a nonsense. It is a crappy player or not suitable content. It is not MKV's fault that you download something that your player cannot handle.

You can downloaded lots of MKV's over web but what's inside is other thing. There could be whatever in it. As I said it is your problem downloading something that cannot be played. You talk about aegisub, I never encounter those, why? Because I do not download from web but use MKV's for my videos, subtitles, rips whatever. MKV is something you can wish for. So you see, You better say, for me, MKV is not good because I download this and that and I cannot play it back. MKV has nothing to do with your problem.

[Shilar]

Why don't you fix your signature, crappy mkv is a nonsense. It is a crappy player or not suitable content. It is not MKV's fault that you download something that your player cannot handle.

My players can handle everything from Blu-ray, MP4, AVI, and all points in-between, with some of the best quality. They are PROGRAMMED for them, and all their incarnations (heck, had to re-encode one because softsubs were detected in the MP4, and yes it played them). MKV... it stutters (software mode-level stutters), doesn't show or play some of the time, and doesn't play parts of the stuff. It reminds me when MP4 first came out (back at the turn of the century) and tried to compete with AVI, but the same thing... However, MP4 improved, MKV didn't... it can't even get proper full-3D (and only does the STANDARD MP4 modes).

You can downloaded lots of MKV's over web but what's inside is other thing. There could be whatever in it. As I said it is your problem downloading something that cannot be played. You talk about aegisub, I never encounter those, why? Because I do not download from web but use MKV's for my videos, subtitles, rips whatever. MKV is something you can wish for. So you see, You better say, for me, MKV is not good because I download this and that and I cannot play it back. MKV has nothing to do with your problem.

Mhmm, and how often do you use Subrips? All the time? Most? Since 9/10 of the converters I use can't convert anything but Subrip from MKV (so I can play it in my "crappy" player like you said). I prefer high-quality MP4 (H.264/DTS or AC3) over the MKV, since I don't want the hassles of conversion.. I simply move the file over. What can take 20-30 minutes (40-60 if dealing with AegisSub) merely takes 1. Even stores well on my network, and plays -very- well to my network players.

I deem things "crappy" when I cannot use them outside of certain areas. DRM? Crappy (and unlike another's comment, MP4 does not have to have DRM). HD DVD? Crappy. MiniDisc? Crappy. 8-track? Crappy... MKV, crappy.

[Mr.Delusional]

Mkv for me. Do to the numerous tools available. Mkvtoolnix, Mkvcleaver, Meteorite, Mkclean, Mkvcutter. And most people are encoding to H.264 so a simply remux, either way is easy.

But what does newpall (Sanlyn) consider is the "right" container to use? Since he created another poll.

[RappinRod]

Shilar?=Crappy and clueless when it comes to video/audio file formats and how to create them properly so they will play on all multimedia hardware players as well as all software players,my files play whether I put them in a mp4 container or a mkv container but I wasted too much time already reading and replying to what he wrote and I totally prefer the mkv container over mp4 but whatever works for you is fine..And I got news for you dude h265 (with subtitles) is around the corner and is superb inside the mkv container and the files are one third the size of h264 but have the same quality and I cant wait until it becomes mainstream and is playable in hardware players but you wouldnt know anything about that..Your replies to people show lack of knowledge..Try reading reading up on this stuff you may learn something..

[hydra3333]

It really depends on what your media player us best at handling. In general my media players do a better job with MKV than MP4. In some instances simply putting a MP4 file in a MKV container will make the difference between easy navigation or not. So I think the poll is meaningless.

Horses for courses, yes. Chromecast devices apparently only like "well formatted" .mp4 files, so any malarky about .mkv is meaningless in that context.