Convert any video file to MKV format online for free. Fast, secure, and easy-to-use video to MKV converter with no software installation required.
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Max file size: 50 MBMax duration: 30 min
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Drag and drop your MPEG file, or click to browse for it.
Choose MKV as the output and click Convert. The conversion runs on our servers, so your device does none of the work.
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How the two formats differ on the things that change your result.
| Specification | MPEG (source) | MKV (result) |
|---|---|---|
| Container | MPEG-1/2 Program Stream | Matroska |
| Developed by | MPEG | Matroska.org |
| Introduced | 1993 | 2002 |
| Video codecs | MPEG-1, MPEG-2 | H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1 |
| Audio codecs | MP2, MP3 | AAC, FLAC, Opus, AC-3, DTS |
| Max resolution | Standard definition | 8K UHD |
| Typical bitrate (1080p) | 2–9 Mbps | 8–40 Mbps |
| Multiple audio tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Subtitle tracks | Not supported | Embedded (soft) subtitles |
| Chapter markers | No | Yes |
| Streaming optimized | No | No |
| Licensing | Patents expired | Royalty-free |
| Plays natively on | Native: Windows · Needs a player: macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs | Native: Windows · Needs a player: macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs |
| Best for | broadcast, legacy archives, DVD authoring | media archives, multi-language releases, home theatre |
This is a full transcode rather than a container swap, because MPEG-1 is not one of the codecs MKV carries. Every frame is decoded and re-encoded as H.264.
Expect the bitrate to move from roughly 5.5 Mbps to about 24 Mbps at 1080p, and file size to follow.
MKV dates from 2002 and is not natively supported by modern browsers, so plan on a desktop media player for playback.
Converting MPEG to MKV moves the video from the MPEG-1/2 Program Stream container, introduced in 1993, into Matroska, which arrived in 2002. Whether the picture is re-encoded or copied across depends on the codecs both containers accept.
Developed by MPEG in 1993, MPEG carries MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video and MP2 or MP3 audio. That combination sets the upper bound on what any conversion can preserve.
MKV was introduced by Matroska.org in 2002. It carries H.264, H.265, VP9, or AV1 video with AAC, FLAC, Opus, AC-3, or DTS audio and plays natively on Windows.
After converting your file, you can use Scriptivox transcription services to convert your audio to text. Perfect for meetings, interviews, podcasts, and more.
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