How to Convert MP4 to MKV without Losing Quality

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How to Convert MP4 to MKV without Losing Quality

11 March 2019 Jennifer Thatcher Technology Manager of Test Dept.

Last update by William Davis at 9 November 2026

Summary
Although MP4 and MKV are welcomed online video formats, both of them have merits and demerits. In this essay, we will talk about the differences between MP4 and MKV and the conversion from MP4 to MKV.

Content

Part 1. MP4 and MKV Formats

Part 2. How to Convert MP4 to MKV

Method 1: FFmpeg
Method 2: Renee Video Editor Pro

Part 3. How to Edit MP4 Video

Part 1. MP4 and MKV Formats

① MP4

MP4 or MPEG-4 Part 14 is a digital multimedia container format most commonly used to store video, audio and subtitles, but it can also be used to store other data such as 3D shapes and menus.

② MKV

MKV is also a multimedia container in which video, audio, image and unlimited subtitle tracks can be saved. MKV file supports file encryption and various decoders, which is widely used in our daily life. SRT, SSA, USF (general subtitle format) and VobSub (DVD subtitle format) are supported by MKV files.

Differences between MP4 and MKV:

File format	MKV	MP4
Video quality	High quality and high definition; hold HD videos or Blu-ray videos.	Well quality
Supported media player	Some mainstream media players	Almost all media players
Supported portable devices	Only some mobile devices	Almost all mobile devices, such as mobile phone, tablet PC.
Supported video coding	Almost all video coding	MPEG-2 Part 2, MPEG-4 ASP, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.263, VC-1, Dirac and others
Supported audio coding	Almost all audio coding	MPEG-2/4 (HE)-AAC, MPEG-1/2 Layers I, II, III (MP3), AC-3, Apple Lossless, ALS, SLS, Vorbis and others

Reasons of Converting MP4 to MKV File?

Although MKV file is not as universal as MP4 file, it is welcomed by anime fans. They usually output videos into MKV files when translating foreign videos or TV shows. MKV can not only support unlimited audios and subtitle tracks but also support more audio and video encodings than MP4.

Next, we will tell you how to convert MP4 to MKV.

Part 2. How to Convert MP4 to MKV

If you want to convert MP4 to MKV, you can realize it via FFmpeg and Renee Video Editor Pro.

Method 1: FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a open-source software for video editing. You should download the software first, then you can convert video and audio files via the command lines. This method fits those who know command line operation well. If you are not, please view Method 2.

How to convert via FFmpeg:

Step 1. Download FFmpeg. If you don’t know how to do, click here to learn about it.

Step 2. Press [Win + R] to open the [Run] box. Enter [cmd].

Step 3. In the command prompt, enter [C:WindowsSystem32ffmpeg.exe –i D:2019.mp4 D:MKV2019.mkv]. Then press [Enter] to convert it to MP4.

TipsC:WindowsSystem32ffmpeg.exe: the position of ffmpeg.exe;
D:2019.mp4: the saved position and the file name before video file conversion;
D:MKV2019.mkv: the output path, file name and output format after conversion;
The above commands can be modified by yourself. It is noticed that you have checked to show file extension before the operation if the file extension is set to be hidden in default.

Method 2: Renee Video Editor Pro

TipsRenee Video Editor Pro can easily convert between different video and audio formats.

Step 1: Download and install Renee Video Editor. Open the software and select [Video Toolbox].

click video toolbox in renee video editor pro

Step 2. Click [Add Files] to select the target video file.

Step 3. Select [MKV] in the [Output Format] selectbox; output position in [Output Folder]. Then, click [Start] to convert and save the file.

Part 3. How to Edit MP4 Video

If you want to further edit the video, you can use Renee Video Editor Pro to realize it. Here are its functions.

Tips Renee Video Editor Pro can help you edit videos in many aspects, such as adding special effect, cutting, merge, removing watermarks, adding logos and subtitles. What’s more, it can realize automatic re-encoding and ensure audio and video synchronization, but not slow down the playback speed.

1. Cut. You can set the start and end time to crop some clips.

2. Rotate & Crop. You can rotate or cut the video screen.

rotate and crop with Renee Video Editor Pro

3. Effect. You can add filters, zoom effects and audio effects to your video.

add video effect with Renee Video Editor Pro

4. Watermark. You can use text, image, video and sharp as watermarks. In addition, you can remove unnecessary watermarks.

use watermark and watermark remover in renee video editor pro

5. Music. You can add background music to your video. Local music and dubbing are supported.

6. Subtitle. You can add subtitles and text explanations to your video.

add subtitle with Renee Video Editor Pro

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