Many people are unsure of which file type to choose when converting videos, so hopefully, this article will help clear things up.
Both MP4 and MKV are container formats that have different capabilities and encapsulation. MKV is able to encapsulate closed caption format like ASS, and SSA but MP4 cannot.
MKV files are larger in size, but they may offer better quality videos than MP4 files. But if both container formats are encoded with the same x264 + AAC, the audio & video quality should be the same. If you’re looking for a file that doesn’t take up too much space, go with an MP4 file as it’s highly compressed.
On the other side, the MKV file is open-source and it supports FLAC lossless audios but MP4 does not. Although MP4 supports another ALAC lossless audio, it’s less efficient than FLAC.
When it comes to uploading videos to Youtube, MP4 is a preferred format. Also, because MKV does not support by most portable devices, the MP4 is still a preferred format for mobile devices and players including Xbox 360, Apple, and Android devices.
So, which file type is better? It really depends on your usage scenarios. If you want the better HD video quality, go with an MKV file. If you want a smaller file that’s easy to transfer to video players or portable devices, go with an MP4 file.