Why MPEG for an MKV film
MPEG files (.mpeg or .mpg) with MPEG-2 video are the basis of DVD video. Programs that burn a playable DVD expect this kind of input, and DVD players, older TVs and set-top boxes read it from discs and USB sticks. MKV, with its H.264 or HEVC video and many tracks, is unknown to most of this equipment. If you want to turn an MKV film or home video into a DVD, or play it on an older device, you convert MKV to MPEG.
DVD-friendly settings
| TV standard | Regions | Frame rate | DVD resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAL | Europe, China, India, Australia, most of Africa | 25 fps | 720x576 |
| NTSC | North America, Japan, parts of South America | 30 fps | 720x480 |
Choose the frame rate of your region. DVD authoring software can then use the file without converting it again. For direct USB playback on a TV, a resolution close to 480p or 576p is safest.
Things that change
- Larger files. MPEG-2 needs more data than H.264 or HEVC for the same quality. A film can end up several gigabytes.
- Only standard definition on DVD. A single-layer DVD holds about 4.7 GB, so long films need moderate quality.
- One audio track and no soft subtitles. MKV subtitles are not carried over. Burn them into the picture first with Add Subtitles, or add DVD subtitles in your authoring program.
- Re-encoding. H.264 and HEVC video must be converted. Some DVD backups in MKV already contain MPEG-2 video, and in that case less work is needed.
Time and privacy
MPEG is written by the built-in converter engine, ffmpeg running in your browser. A full film is a long job, so leave the tab open and keep the laptop on power. Because nothing is uploaded, the conversion does not depend on your internet speed, and family videos stay on your computer.
If your player supports MP4, which most models since around 2012 do, MKV to MP4 is faster and gives smaller files. To make an MPEG fit on a disc, use the MPEG compressor. For the reverse direction, see MPEG to MKV.