Windows 7: mkv to mp4

The only problem with changing from wmp is then Im going to need a Media Server to send stuff to the Tv and I don't want to add to many other programs to this laptop Im going to use it purely for storing music, videos and movies whereas at the moment its using wmp as a server. At the moment is only got windows and the updates on thats it lol

Yea, I don't think MP4 officially supports DTS.
I usually do convert my DTS audio though to AC3 as it works well for most everything. Although DTS may be better, doing this saves a bit of space without much loss in quality IMHO.
Personal prefrence there though I suppose.

But yea, if your having issues with MP4 and it has a x264 video stream, it very well may be due to DTS audio in there.
In MeGUI you can add the DTS stream in the audio section and encode it as a AC3 file at 448 or 640 bitrate 5.1 as a RAW format.

Then re-mux the video and AC3 stream together as MP4 and see what results you get.

I think, if your using a MP4 container, AC3 audio or AAC will be your best bet.
In fact, for MAXIMUM compatability streaming to a DLNA device, you may wish to do H264 video stream with AAC audio stream since this is what the MP4 container is really designed for. AC3 works, but not all devices can read it. You can try AC3, and if it doesnt work youll just have to go to AAC audio.

MeGUI can do this as well with the Nero AAC encoder. And it will do 2.1 or 5.1, Pro Logic etc in that format.

With MKV it really doesnt matter because you can put just about anything in there and it will work fine so long as you have proper codecs for it. There just may be compatability issues with some devices and streaming.

ok, no worries, have you tried sharks007 codecs

Im lost now this is the audio stream from the mkv -


And this from the converted mp4 using mkvtomp4


Am I missing something or are they the same

Just to add Im totally out if my depth here feel free to to talk in layman's terms. Seemed a good idea at the time to buy a smart tv

Thats 5.1 AAC. Looks like maybe the recode is possibly using a lower bitrate.
AAC may not be the best in regards to quality over AC3 or DTS, but its still very good.
And it will be the most compatable audio format for MP4 containers.

I would just leave the ausio stream as is.
Converting it will only result in quality loss, and going to AC3 or DTS from AAC is a waste of time as the quality will not improve. Youll just have a larger file size.

Have tried a few codec packs in the past. I don't mind using my or wishmasters method to convert the containers to mp4, Im just trying to work out which method provides the best quality with as few other applications installed as possible.Probably more hassle than its worth but heyho

Thanks boohbah

Ya shoulda got a smarter TV so it knows how to play .mkv.

Alternative is a BluRay player with USB port that will play them.

Right so the mkv I converted was never DTS to start with then only AAC so the quality should be the same in the mp4. So whats x264 then

Sorry guys my mind is boggled

OK I'll try that.

@Danny - the OP after all!
I just like fiddling with this stuff and do not claim expert status.
Re: Mediainfo the H.264 codec appears as AVC (Advanced video codec). It gives you higher quality at a lower bit rate than earlier MPEG4 codecs. This is a more informative explanation.
H.264/MPEG-4 AVC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I think the conclusion is that the mp4 container may be more restrictive on the audio codec????

In any event I think when a device says it supports say MKV you need to dig deeper and find what codecs within this container it supports. I use a WDTV media player which supports MKV and virtually every codec under the sun.

Yer I tried the and it did work fine. Its just me been a stickler. I just want 1 laptop with all my music. videos, pictures and movies in WMP as a media sever preferably before I sell the damn Tv and go back to black and while lol.