Converting Video Formats.

Hello again Majorgeeks,

I have once again come to you for guidance! I just want to say that everyone here in this community has really been great! I have another doozy for you.

I am trying to convert Matroska (.mkv) to a more known format (.avi, .mpeg)
I have scoured to find a solution but every time I think I have found one, it will not work for me. Here are the methods I have tried.

Using DVD Santa 4.0:
I click on on the leftmost button named "Video files (avi, wmv)
I add the mkv files (which are not supported, but are supposed to work because of the DIVX[?])
I get the message: "Unable to open the video file _____________.mkv"
FAILED

Using Virtual DubMod:
I click on "File>Open Video File"
I open the file, it begins parsing....
Then I recieve the error message (This is a long one)
"Couldn't load a decompressor for format 'XVID' (unknown)
VirtualDub requires a VFW compatible codec to decompress video.
Directshow codecs, such as those used by Windows Media Player, are not suitable. Only 'Direct Stream Copy' is available for this video"
FAILED

In NeroVision Express:
Won't load Mkv... period.
FAILED

I feel like I'm losing all hope on this endeavor! I am willing to invest in another program. I love Nero Vision, but for this task it doesn't do the job.

Please help MajorGeeks!

Thanks,
Randy O.

 

Re: Possible for "mkv" Video Formats.

I just pasted this into "Google Search"

Matroska (.mkv) to format avi, .mpeg

and quite a few search returns came up

Have a look

Hope may help
Regards

 

You need a Matroska splitter to open the .mkv container. Then you need the proper codec to decode the autio and video streams inside the .mkv.

Here's the important thing to know:
AVI, OGM, and MKV files are not media types. They're "wrappers". They combine an audio stream of one codec (usually mp3) and a video of another codec (like DivX) and synchronizes them. AVI files support just one video and one autio stream. OGM supports one video stream, multiple audio streams, and multiple subtitles. MKV supports multiple video streams, multiple audio streams, and multiple subtitles. MKV is also more efficient that OGM.

These wrapper formats are opened first by a "splitter". That splitter then sends the video stream and the audio stream to their docoders and does the work of making sure the output is synchronized (at least synchonized as well as the author made it ).

To change an MKV file to an AVI file, you need to extract out the media streams and then recombine them. This process is called "muxing" (combining) and "demuxing" (extracting).

Try this utility that is designed to demux from one format and mux into another:
http://www.alexander-noe.com/video/amg/

I've never used that particular one before, though. There are many muxing and demuxing tools. That one looks very easy to use.

You also might need these:
Matroska Splitter
Avi Splitter

However, it's best, IMO, to leave the file as an MKV and to play it that way. Most of the time MKV is only used for titles where they used multiple languages. Going to AVI will force you to pick one audio stream and will also remove the subtitles (AVI only supports subtitles that are encoded into the video stream -- hard subs). If you *need* AVI for some special player, though, this should help.

If you need a codec pack, I suggest CCCP. That contains the best of every codec and splitter and is optimized to play thing with the best quality, not just to everything no matter how choppy and fuzzy. **cough**K-Lite**cough**

 

Re: Possible for "mkv" Video Formats.

Thanks, but as I mentioned, none of the methods applied in these guides or even any of the programs that you can buy work for me. Thank you though!

 

Thanks for all the info! I am trying to understand he best that I can
As far as I understood, that process is what I was trying to do using the programs that I mentioned (vdub), however the main problem is that the programs will not even recognize the files as Metroska! I'm absolutely baffled.

Thanks again! Although I do need to burn these to dvd for viewing on my portable DVD player.
If only there was a burning app that would accept .mkv as a video format!

Thanks again guys! I will let you know how these tools work out chicken!

Randy O

 

A simpler possibility: http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=alltoavi

 

Thanks Just Playin, but unfortunately it would not convert for me
I give up for now.I have devoted so much time into this and it seems like it works for everyone but myself. I am going to email the creators of that software and tell them step by step what I am doing and what results I have and hopfully we can figure something out.

Well, once again Major Geeks.. I appreciate all of the help! You guys are the best!

Much respect,
Randy O.