How to Convert .mkv to mp4 for FREE?

Whether you're a film enthusiast with an expansive collection or just someone looking to make a video file more universally accessible, the need to convert .mkv files to .mp4 is quite common. The good news is, this conversion can be done quickly, easily, and most importantly, for free!

In this blog post, we'll guide you through a step-by-step process to convert .mkv files to .mp4

Why Convert from .mkv to .mp4?

Compatibility: .mp4 is one of the most widely accepted video formats, making it perfect for viewing on most devices and platforms.
File Size: .mp4 files are typically smaller than .mkv files, making them easier to store and share.
Features: While .mkv has its advantages, especially when it comes to containing multiple subtitles and audio tracks, .mp4 is more universally playable.

Converting .mkv to .mp4 using Front.Space's on-the-fly video Transcoding for FREE

Converting .MKV to .MP4 on the fly using Front Space is a convenient and straightforward process. Front.Sapce is a cloud-based media management platform that offers powerful features for image and video manipulation, including on-the-fly format conversion. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Sign Up or Log In to Front.Sapce

If you don't already have a Front.Sapce account, you'll need to sign up for one. You can sign up for a FREE account that provides a certain amount of storage and bandwidth. Once you have an account, log in to the Front.Sapce Console.

Step 2: Upload Your .MKV File

In the Front.Sapce dashboard, navigate to the "Media Library" section. Click the "Upload" button to upload your .MKV file. Front.Sapce will automatically store the file in your media library.

Step 3: Create a Transformation URL

To convert the .MKV file to .MP4 on the fly, you'll need to create a transformation URL. This URL will include parameters that specify the conversion and any additional transformations you want to apply. Here's an example of a Front.Sapce URL for .MKV to .MP4 conversion:

https://cdn.front.space/your-project-name/video/upload/f_mp4/your-origin/your-video.mkv

Replace "your-project-name" with your actual Front.Sapce cloud name.
Replace "your-video.mkv" with the name of your .MKV file.
Replace "your-origin" with the origin name of your project

In this example, we're using the "f_mp4" parameter to indicate that Front.Sapce should automatically convert the .MKV file to .MP4 format on the fly.

Step 4: Access the Converted .MP4 File

Once you have the transformation URL, you can use it in your website or application to access the converted .MP4 file. When a user requests this URL, Front.Sapce will perform the conversion in real-time and deliver the .MP4 file.

Additional Options: Custom Transformations

Front.Sapce provides a wide range of transformation options that you can apply on the fly. For example, you can resize, crop, add watermarks, adjust quality, and more. To include custom transformations in your URL, simply add them as parameters.

Here's an example of a Front Space URL that converts an .MKV file to .MP4, resizes it to a width of 640 pixels, and adds a watermark:

https://cdn.front.space/your-project-name/video/upload/f_mp4,w_640/l_watermark,y_10,x_10/your-origin/your-video.mkv

In this example, we've added the "w_640" parameter to specify the width, and the "l_watermark" parameter to add a watermark to the video.

Conclusion

Converting .MKV to .MP4 on the fly using Front Space is a powerful and convenient solution for dynamic video conversion. It allows you to seamlessly integrate video format conversion into your web applications and deliver optimized content to your users. Remember to refer to FrontSpace's documentation for a full list of transformation options and further customization.

Converting .mkv to .mp4 using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is not just a tool for watching videos; it's a versatile application that can help you manage your video files with ease.

Step 1: Download and Install VLC Media Player

If you haven't already, download VLC Media Player from the official VLC website and install it on your computer. It's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 2: Launch VLC Media Player

Open VLC Media Player on your computer.

Step 3: Access the Conversion Tool

Click on the “Media” menu at the top left corner.
From the dropdown menu, choose “Convert/Save.”

Step 4: Add Your .mkv File

In the "File" tab, click the "Add" button.
Navigate to the location of your .mkv file, select it, and click "Open."

Step 5: Choose the Conversion Settings

Click the “Convert/Save” button at the bottom.
In the "Profile" dropdown menu, select ".mp4."
Note: You can further customize video and audio codecs by clicking on the wrench and screwdriver icon next to the dropdown, but for most users, the default settings will suffice.

Step 6: Select Destination File

Click the “Browse” button next to "Destination file."
Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the converted .mp4 file. Name your file and ensure it ends with the ".mp4" extension. Click "Save."

Step 7: Start the Conversion

Click the “Start” button. VLC will begin converting the .mkv file to .mp4. A progress bar will indicate the conversion process. Once complete, you will find the .mp4 file in the location you specified.

Converting .mkv to .mp4 using Handbrake

Converting .MKV to .MP4 is a straightforward process that you can accomplish for free using tools like HandBrake

Step 1: Download and Install HandBrake

Visit the HandBrake website and download the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Install the software by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 2: Launch HandBrake

After installation, open HandBrake. You'll be greeted with a straightforward interface.

Step 3: Load Your .MKV File

Click the "Open Source" button in HandBrake to browse your computer and select the .MKV file you want to convert. After selecting the file, click "Open."

Step 4: Choose the Output Format (MP4)

In the "Output Settings" section, select "MP4" as the output format from the "Container" dropdown menu. You can also configure other settings such as video and audio quality in this section.

Step 5: Set the Destination Folder

Under the "Destination" section, specify where you want the converted .MP4 file to be saved. Click the "Browse" button to select your desired destination folder.

Step 6: Start the Conversion

Once you've configured the output format and destination, click the "Start Encode" button at the top of the HandBrake window. The conversion process will begin, and you'll see a progress bar indicating the status.

Step 7: Wait for Completion

Depending on the size and complexity of your .MKV file, the conversion may take some time. HandBrake will notify you when the conversion is complete.

Step 8: Locate Your Converted .MP4 File

Once the conversion is finished, navigate to the destination folder you specified earlier. You'll find your newly converted .MP4 file ready for use.

Convert .MKV to .MP4 Using FFmpeg

MKV (Matroska Video) is a popular video container format known for its high-quality video and audio capabilities. However, there are instances when you might need to convert MKV files to MP4 (MPEG-4) format. MP4 is widely supported across various devices and platforms, making it a more versatile choice for sharing and playback. The good news is that you can perform this conversion for free using FFmpeg, a powerful and versatile command-line tool. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process of converting .MKV to .MP4 effortlessly using FFmpeg.

Step 1: Download and Install FFmpeg

Before you can use FFmpeg for the conversion, you need to download and install it. Here's how:

Visit the official FFmpeg website

Choose the version of FFmpeg suitable for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and download the executable file.

Follow the installation instructions provided on the website or included in the download package to install FFmpeg on your system.

Step 2: Open the Command Prompt or Terminal

To use FFmpeg, you'll need to open the Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on macOS and Linux. This is where you'll enter the conversion command.

Step 3: Navigate to the Directory with Your .MKV File

Use the "cd" command to navigate to the directory where your .MKV file is located. For example:

cd path/to/your/directory

Replace "path/to/your/directory" with the actual path to the folder containing your .MKV file.

Step 4: Run the FFmpeg Conversion Command

Now, it's time to run the conversion command. Here's a basic example of the FFmpeg command to convert an .MKV file to .MP4:

ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v h264 -c:a aac output.mp4

Replace "input.mkv" with the name of your input .MKV file.
Replace "output.mp4" with the desired name for your output .MP4 file.

You can customize the command further by adjusting video and audio codecs, specifying video quality, and more. FFmpeg provides extensive options for fine-tuning the conversion process.

Step 5: Execute the Conversion

After entering the FFmpeg command, press "Enter" to execute it. FFmpeg will begin converting your .MKV file to .MP4. You'll see progress information in the command prompt or terminal window.

Step 6: Wait for Completion

Depending on the size and complexity of your .MKV file, the conversion may take some time. FFmpeg will notify you when the conversion is complete.

Step 7: Locate Your Converted .MP4 File

Once the conversion is finished, navigate to the directory where your .MP4 file is saved. You'll find your newly converted .MP4 file ready for use.

So the next time someone sends you a movie in .mkv format, or you download one, you now have the tools and knowledge to make it universally playable! Happy watching!