mpeg2 mkv mac

[mocarob]

I have a mpeg2/AC3 file that I've put in a mkv container using Videoredo.. It plays fine on my PC & Kodi but I need to send a version of it to a friend with a Mac..
I tested it with my PC version of quicktime but it won't play.. What do I need to do?
Is there a way without transcoding video? I tried videoredo and saving it to mpeg2 mp4 but that won't play in quicktime either..
Any advice? Thanks..

[Case]

1/ Most Mac users know that QuickTime Player isn’t the ultimate media player that it once tried to be. It seems many users know to install a secondary media player, like VLC.
2/ QuickTime Player v10 for Mac is definitely not feature-synced with QuickTime Player v7.7.9 for Windows. You can’t conclude much from playing on the other platform.
3/ A DVD compliant .mpg file with mpeg-2 video and ac3 audio should play fine in QuickTime Player (v10.x) for Mac without the need for plugins. Feel free to send me a short test clip.

[mocarob]

He's in the process of downloading it now. I appreciate your offer to take a look at it but it might be easier to wait and see if he can play it first..
Here are the mediainfo mp4 container specs:

(My VLC choked on the m2v1)

Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt 0000.02 (qt )
File size : 4.40 GiB
Duration : 1 h 35 min
Overall bit rate : 6 583 kb/s
Writing application : Lavf54.63.104

Video
ID : 1
Format : m2v1
Codec ID : m2v1
Duration : 1 h 35 min
Bit rate : 5 999 kb/s
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Minimum frame rate : 29.970 FPS
Maximum frame rate : 30.000 FPS
Standard : NTSC
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.579
Stream size : 4.01 GiB (91%)
Language : English
Menus : 4

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 1 h 35 min
Duration_LastFrame : -32 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 263 MiB (6%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1
Menus : 4

[Case]

That is neither MKV nor MPEG-PS. Did you make it a MP4 this last time?
m2v1 seems unexpected, though.

[mocarob]

That's what VideoRedo did when I picked the mpeg2 mp4 save as format type.. here's the media info for the original mkv

Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4 / Version 2
File size : 4.39 GiB
Duration : 1 h 35 min
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 6 578 kb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2017-10-06 22:02:40
Writing application : mkvmerge v16.0.0 ('Protest') 64-bit
Writing library : libebml v1.3.5 + libmatroska v1.4.8

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=15
Format settings, picture structure : Frame
Codec ID : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Duration : 1 h 35 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 5 999 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 9 000 kb/s
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard : NTSC
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Bottom Field First
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.579
Time code of first frame : 00:00:00;00
Time code source : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed : Closed
Stream size : 4.01 GiB (91%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

[mocarob]

I also have the authored DVD files if that enables an easier work flow...to Mac.

[Case]

Doesn’t VideoReDo have a ‘normal’ MPEG-2 output profile? MPEG Program Stream (.mpg): mpeg-2 video + ac3 audio.

[mocarob]

I would like to retain chapter marks.. Hence the mp4 mkv containers.

[transporterfan]

Zip the DVD folder and send the full movie, ready to burn.
http://www.dummies.com/computers/macs/how-to-zip-and-unzip-files-on-your-mac/
Or just view the file; in either case, have your friend use MPlayer to watch them.
Not sure about MPlayers ability use chapters.