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- Top 2 MP4 Codecs for Mac. Now it's time for Mac users all around the globe. Here are the top 2 MP4 codecs for Mac that we suggest. MPlayerX is an option for all of the apple lovers. This software integrates beauty and style, making it a perfect choice if you want to sit and watch one of your favorite movies or series episodes.
- These qualities recommend MKV as the best choice for the post-production of video files. Like any other video container, MKV needs a codec for playback. There are many codecs available, but Lazy Man's MKV is a good choice due to its small, purpose-oriented filter collection and its simple installation process.
- Mkv codec free download - AC3 Codec, CODEC, Free MKV to iMovie, and many more programs.
What are MKV Files & How to Play them on Various Devices?
If you download online videos on a regular basis, you might have come across an MKV file especially in case you save HD movies. This video format is not as popular as AVI or MP4. Thus, many users don’t have an idea what is it and how to play it. So let’s make it clear.
However, Apple smartphones and Mac computers don’t support MKV natively, while MP4 is a default format for iPhone, iPad, and many other devices. So, if you want to transfer videos to your iPhone, it’s better to choose MP4, but if your device supports MKV, you can keep your files in this format.
SEE ALSO: How to Convert MKV to MP4 [FREE]
What is an MKV file?
MKV is an open standard video format that was developed in 2002 by Lasse Kärkkäinen and Steve Lhomme. The format is also called Matroska, which refers to the wooden, Russian or Matryoshka doll since MKV can keep multiple media files inside it like the Russian doll.
MKV file is, in fact, a container that stores various multimedia files even if they use different encoding types. For example, there can be an h.264 or h.265 video file, AAC/MP3/OGG or any other audio format and a couple of SRT subtitles files.
Nowadays MKV format is widely used for HD videos and online video streaming. A popular WebM format is based on the profile of Matroska container. Learn how to convert MP4 to WebM here.
The main advantage of Matroska container is that it can hold an unlimited number of audio, video and subtitles tracks as well as meta data (cover art, comments, description, etc.) and chapter points. It means that one movie may come with several audio and subtitles tracks within a single file. You can easily switch to a foreign language track or director’s comments using your media player controls.
Whenever you need to rip a DVD to MP4 and keep all possible audio and video tracks, you should definitely choose MKV for output.
Another great advantage of MKV container is its error recovery. If for example, your Internet connection was lost during the downloading process, you can still watch the parts of the video that have already been downloaded. It also works for corrupted files.
SEE ALSO: Free Video Editor for Windows: 7 User-Friendly Tools
SEE ALSO: Free Video Editor for Windows: 7 User-Friendly Tools
How to Play an MKV file on PC, Mac, Android, iOS?
Although the MKV format seems to be a real treasure, it has not yet become an industry standard; not all the video players support it. Thus, to play an MKV file, you should choose one of the following options:
- download a special media player;
- download media codecs for your current video software;
- convert MKV to AVI or MP4.
Let’s explore each option separately.
Way 1. Download a Special Media Player for MKV Files (PC, Mac, Android, iOS)
One of the most popular media players capable of reproducing MKV files is VLC Media Player. It’s free and can be used on all popular operating systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
SEE ALSO: 5 Cool Video Players to Play MKV Files on iPhone & iPad
SEE ALSO: Best Video Player: Top 5 Windows Tools Compared
To reproduce MKV files with VLC Media Player, you need to do the following:
- download it from the official site, AppStore, or Google Play;
- install the freeware on your PC, laptop or mobile device;
- run VLC on your gadget;
- add your MVK files using a corresponding button or drag-n-drop option. For Apple devices, transfer the videos from a computer right into the app with the help of iTunes. Don’t forget to sync your device to apply changes;
- click the Play button to start the playback.
You can make VLC the default player for MKV files and open them with a double click. To do it on Windows, you need to:
- right-click on any MKV file that you have;
- move to Open With option, and then click Choose Another App;
- select VLC player from the list of software;
- enable the Always use this app to open .mkv files option;
- click the OK button to save the changes.
From now on, all your MKV files will be opened in VLC.
For Mac OS, follow the steps below:
- in the Finder, choose the MKV file;
- right-click on the file and then select Get Info;
- in the Info window, click the triangle sign next to Open with option;
- choose VLC from the app list;
- to open all MKV files with VLC, click Change All.
Way 2. Download Media Codecs to Play MKV (PC & Mac)
A codec is a computer program used to encode or decode any kind of digital media files. In our case, we need codecs that will let you play MKV videos with a default system player. There are a lot of free codecs online that you can use for this scope. All have their pros and cons.
The main pros of all codecs are:
- you can use your favorite media player to play all the video files;
- the media codecs usually provide you an option to reproduce a variety of video and audio files that you can come across online.
Among the cons you should pay attention to are:
- being free, media codecs usually come with adware and even malware that might harm your PC;
- since the codecs support a huge number of multimedia files, they might steal space from your hard drive. It’s OK in case you need all of them, but if you install a codec pack to play only one video format, it doesn’t seem to be worth it.
What codec pack to choose to play MKV files?
The MKV developers recommend using Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) or K-Lite Codec Pack for Windows-based PCs. You can find a full description of each Pack on its official site. Choose the one you like and install in on your computer. Please be attentive during the installation process. The installer files may contain various ads. Read attentively all the offers and don’t accept those you are not interested in.
When the codecs are installed, you might be asked to restart the PC. However, usually, you can start playing the video files right away.
Mac users can also install codecs on their laptops to play files with a standard QuickTime Player. The codecs for Mac are available at K-Lite Codec pack official site.
Way 3. Convert an MKV file (PC, Mac)
Finally, if first two options don’t work for you for any reason, you can convert your MKV video to most popular formats like AVI, MP4 and play them with your favorite software or app or on a portable device without MKV support.
Convert an MKV File on Windows
To convert MKV files on Windows-based PCs, we recommend using Freemake Video Converter. It’s a free and beautifully designed tool with an astonishing number of output format options. Let’s see how it works:
- Download and install Freemake Video Converter onto your computer;
- Add MKV files via +Video button. You can also drag-n-drop the videos into the software;
- If necessary, edit your video. The software provides an inbuilt editor that lets you cut unnecessary video parts, rotate and join videos;
- Select an output format. We recommend choosing AVI or MP4 since they are supported by the majority of video players and devices. In case you want to play MKV on a DVD-player, burn a DVD here. Besides that, you can add subtitles to your video. Please note that Freemake Video Converter provides only hardsubs option what means that you won’t be able to turn the subtitles track off;
- Choose a ready preset or create your own one with a custom bitrate, frame rate, codec, and other settings;
- Click Convert to start the conversion process and transform your MKV file into another video format.
In a couple of minutes, you’ll get a converted file that you can later watch offline, upload onto a portable device or on your website.
Please note that Freemake Video Converter doesn’t support multiple audio and subtitles tracks. Thus, preview the video and choose a necessary audio and subtitles option.
SEE ALSO: 6 Media Converters for Windows, Mac and Android
Convert an MKV File on Mac
Mac users can also benefit from a free video converter for MKV files. It’s called Handbrake. The software is a bit more complicated than Freemake, but don’t be afraid. Here is the how-to that will help you convert MKV files on Mac:
- download and install Handbrake for Mac from the official developer site;
- launch the software on your Mac computer;
- drag-n-drop an MKV file you need to convert or click the Source button to add files;
- choose an output format (MP4) and a ready preset, if necessary;
- then continue to the Audio and the Subtitles tabs. Here you can select what tracks you want to keep in your future file;
- besides that the software lets you customize bitrate, framerate, codec, and other settings;
- click the Start button to run the conversion process.
Depending on your Mac capacity, it may take some time to convert a video, especially if it’s huge.
Now you know what an MKV file is and how to play it. Please share this post with your friends to make them enjoy MKV videos, too.
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'How to play MKV on Mac? Hi guys. I’ve got some MKV files on Mac, and want to play MKV files on Mac computer. When I try QuickTime, I was told no support of this kind of file. Can you tell me how to play MKV on MacBook pro retina?' Many Mac computer users would ask such kind of questions: how to play MKV on Mac as QuickTime doesn’t play MKV. This tutorial would introduce you to 3 different ways on how to play MKV on Mac. You could select one according to your personal requirements.
Part 1: 5 MKV Video Players for Mac OS X
It should be noted that even though MKV has been a popular format accepted by many players and devices, Apple has not included it into its native support of QuickTime player. Therefore, if you want to play MKV on Mac, you need to make use of other solutions. In other words, one effective solution is to obtain a 3rd-party best app to play MKV on Mac.
No.1 Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac
With no extra codec pack built, Leawo MKV player for Mac could play MKV files on Mac without any quality loss, allowing you to play subtitles and audio tracks as you like. It is the most direct way to bypass any trouble caused during the MKV playback on Mac. Speaking of video resolution, this player is fully capable of 4K UHD payback and 1080 full HD videos playback and ensures the optimum streaming quality.
If you need higher demands on controlling how to play MKV files on Mac, this player features the ability to allow users to do basic settings including subtitles, skin, view mode, contrast, etc. Besides, the advanced functionality such as converting Blu-ray/DVD to MKV files without decoding or encoding is covered. This advanced feature is offered in the premium version, which will achieve 1:1 Blu-ray to MKV conversion. Meanwhile, it is able to decrypt any disc protection or region codes thanks to the high-end decryption system so that users can play discs from any country and region.
No.2 VLC Media Player
As a popular MKV player for Mac, VLC has been developed to be compatible with Mac computers. Functioning via open-source player program, VLC can access the most number of MKV files. Meantime, it has the capability to play DVDs, music CDs, VCDs, even some old media formats. Implanted with a huge configuration library, users can adjust MKV videos from any angle. This software is equipped with the performance of converting media. A couple of tools are contained like fixing AVI files and so on.
No.3 DivX Player for Mac
The DivX Player for Mac is regarded as the best app to play MKV on Mac. It has handy methods to decode MKV movies with an easement. Inspired and designed by the DivX company, this player program features all the DivX video playback and a relatively decent range of media content. There are other featuring operations allowing users to upload files to their cloud services and share media. You can also cast the MKV files to other screens through wifi. But you need to pay for the premium version to make all MKV playable.
No.4 MPlayerX
Born with entire MKV codecs, this best app to play MKV on Mac has the character to play MKV in a light way. Its small size body is well arranged with diverse properties. You are ensured with a number of playing modes including rotate MKV, minimize the playback screen, toggle full-screen. If you want a simple MKV player for Mac that is lowkey and takes only a tiny amount of the running source, MPlayerX could be the matching one. Moreover, the direct operation supports the touchpad gestures for quick tapping, pinching, or swiping for modifying the frame size.
No.5 Elmedia Player
Touting the caliber to play MKV without any difficulty, Elmedia Player for Mac is another universal MKV player for Mac. It can cope with most common video files like FLV, MP4, AVI, MOV, DAT, MP3, FLAC, M4V. Streaming videos and audio is only a part of its jobs, you can also download source MKV videos from the program. Sometimes, users find it possible to mirror playing MKV files to other devices like Chromecast, AirPlay, and DLNA-enabled equipment. In addition, multiple parameters such as brightness, saturation, contrast, noise reduction are changeable during playing MKV files.
Comparison
If you ever notice the difference among the above mentioned 5 apps, you will well understand that although all of them can play .mkv files directly, they still show some difference between each other. Generally, Leawo Blu-ray player for Mac is more advanced and powerful compared with the rest 4 apps in terms of features and convenience to use. It is 100% free and region free if you know what it means to play discs, ISO, and other media files from different regions. VLC is basically an average player for handling different kinds of media files including .mkv and users cannot expect too much from this. DivX Player for Mac is a bit more advanced than VLC but it is not able to let you play all .mkv files except you pay for premium version.
As for MPlayerX, it is good and it is capable of handling .mkv files with great features. However, compared with other apps, this is less convenient to operate so if you have the confidence to face a more complex interface, it is good to go! Elmedia Player presents to be a more universal app and it can cope with a large number of media files with ease. I would suggest you give it a shot.
Part 2: Play the MKV file with Plugin
Many Mac users may wonder that whether there is a codec pack for QuickTime to play MKV on Mac, just like the codec packs for Windows Media Player or DirectShow Filter Pack for Windows Media Player. The answer is Perian. Perian is an open-source QuickTime component that enables QuickTime to play several popular video formats not supported natively by QuickTime on Mac OS X. It was a joint development of several earlier open-source components based on the multiplatform FFmpeg project’s libavcodec and libavformat. Next, you will easily learn how to play MKV on Mac with QuickTime player, no extra configuration needed. It would automatically have QuickTime to recognize and accept several video formats like MKV, WMV, AVI, DivX, etc.
This is how to play MKV files on Mac by installing Perian on Mac.
Step 1. Search online and download Perian Codec Pack for QuickTime Mac.
Step 2. Automatic installation
Double-click on the setup package to start installing. Within the setup window, follow the instructions on each page to let it complete the process.
Mkv Player For Mac
Step 3. Open the Perian program to check the “ General” settings.
If you see this panel popping up, you can modify several settings then shut down the window.
Step 4. How to play MKV on Mac can be done with right-click on the MKV file and choosing the “Perian” > “Open in QuickTime Player” options. It is able to transfer the MKV into MP4 files.
The sad news is that the Perian project managers announced on 15 May 2012 on their website that they are shutting down support for the project. The reason is undeclared. However, in the announcement, they recommended other products, such as the Niceplayer, Free Blu-ray Player, VLC or MPlayer OS X. They indicated that Perian’s source code would be posted online for any developer who wanted to continue with the project. One continuation based on the source code is actively maintained but does not support QuickTime for OS X Mavericks or later. Advisably, you can install QuickTime 7 Pro on newer Mac OS X (Mavericks/Yosemite/El Capitan) as Perian works flawlessly with QuickTime 7.
Part 3: Convert MKV to QuickTime Format
Play Mkv Files Mac
Since QuickTime player accepts videos in MOV and MP4 formats, you could also try to convert MKV to MP4/MOV on Mac for QuickTime player for solving how to play MKV on Mac with QuickTime. In this way, you don’t need to install any additional MKV player for Mac or plug-in for QuickTime.
Leawo Video Converter for Mac is the one that can help you easily carry this out. It is capable of decoding MKV files of all kinds along with almost every media format. It could perform as a professional MKV to QuickTime converter to convert MKV to QuickTime MOV/MP4 on Mac with all MKV details retained in original quality. Furthermore, through Leawo MKV to QuickTime converting, not only do you play MKV file on Mac, but also play MKV on iPad, iPhone, and other portable devices or upload to YouTube and blog for sharing.
This video converter is more than just a converter; it includes versatile usages as a video editor and a media player. With it, you can do all exciting editing to the original video and make it your own style. The 6 times processing speed, output quality, and abundant editing features are all incredible compared to rivals in the same category.
Here is a guide to lead you through how to play MKV files on Mac by converting MKV to QuickTime MOV with the help of Leawo Video Converter for Mac.
Step 1: Install Leawo Video Converter for Mac on your Mac computer. It could run on Mac OS X 10.6 and later versions.
Step 2: Launch it and click the 'Add Video' button to browse and add source MKV files into this MKV to QuickTime converter for Mac. Or you can drag MKV videos to the interface.
Step 3: Click the drop-down box next to the 'Add Photo' button and then select the 'Change' option to set the output audio format. Since you need to play MKV on Mac with QuickTime, you are suggested to select MOV as the output format.
Step 4: Go back to the main interface and click the big green 'Convert' button. Set the output directory in the 'Save to' box to save output MOV files after converting. After that, click the bottom 'Convert' button on the sidebar. This Mac MKV to QuickTime converter will start to convert MKV to MOV on Mac immediately.
Part 4: Conclusion
A beginner may be more interested in simply playing the MKV files on a capable media player, such as Leawo MKV player on Mac. Without a doubt, the fastest way for how to play MKV on Mac is to adopt the best app to play MKV on Mac. By this moment, Leawo Free MKV Player for Mac becomes your best choice.
For experienced users or tech geeks, they may have the interest to resolve this playback issue from the root. They can definitely go for solution 2, which is to install the codec pack called Perian. This is known as the Swiss-army knife for QuickTime. With the codec pack installed correctly, your QuickTime will be able to stream any MKV files smoothly.
You may also seek a workaround to convert your source MKV to MOV, a QuickTime compatible video format. This is also a worthwhile solution to resolve the MKV playback issue on Mac. Leawo Video Converter for Mac is absolutely the right choice for you as it is genuinely a valuable program. You can even stream the videos within the built-in player directly with supreme quality.
For more MKV playback related tutorials, you can check on the following;