Thinking of converting all mkv to m4v. Issues?

[DustyBeta]

I noticed that after I run my mkv files through handbrake they are much much smaller which is nice but at what cost? I'm using the Apple TV 2 Profile. Should I be worried about converting my movies over to m4v, is this compatible with most media players, am I loosing quality?

Reasons for staying mkv:
- All movies are in this format now so I save time/cpu power
- Most are original(or so it appears) so quality is really good
- Don't have to convert new downloads.

Reasons to convert to m4v:
- Plays on Apple TV/iPad
- Much smaller size

[chris57]

m4v is apple, stay away from it. MKV has more options and features than m4v on the NMT.

m4v and mkv are the same size. What is making your m4v files smaller is that they are poorer in quality. Reduce the MKV quality will make them smaller. However you are using a HD media player and therefore quality of the picture should be more important than file size.

[tyrindor]

You only want to deal with MKV and ISO files in my opinion.

I wouldn't do it, you will regret it for the reasons chris said. It's an all around bad idea.

[halfelite]

if you are using the apple tv profile i have a feeling you are putting all your mkv files into 720p

[Archon]

Just a couple thoughts;

If you are downloading your MKVs from the internet then they are already reduced from original quality but if you are going to convert, then try to maintain the same bit rate. You might try Video Monkey ( http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/30667/video-monkey ) as it allows you to control the bit rate of the output file. If you are getting smaller file sizes, it most likely because you have reduced the bit rate of the file which is lower quality. You may not see it, so in that case you may like the smaller file size better and be willing to lose some quality.

M4V's are not as flexible when it comes to multiple subtitles and audio tracks. And the Apple 2 profile through handbrake does not have DTS sound so you are definitely losing some quality if you convert a file with DTS to AAC.

Overall, hard drive space is cheap and unless you have some overriding reason to convert your files, then I wouldn't waste the time and effort. Only convert what you want to watch on the iPad/AppleTV2. Otherwise leave it alone.

That is why I bought a PCH210. My AppleTV2 would not play MKVs (or anything besides M4V's or MOV's for that matter) and I would have to convert everything before watching it.

Archon

[judas_2u]

MKVs are a better format, however if you must convert your video's to MP4/M4V use MKVtoMP4 it will speed up the conversion time as you will not be transcoding all your video's again.

[evernn]

You can try Bros M4V to MKV Mac converter. it is a powerful m4v to mkv mac conversion tool designed to convert m4v to mkv video to meet more portable devices needs.

[davelindsay]

Agreed. Don't transcode, just re-wrap.