How to Convert H.264 MKV Files to MP4 Without Re-encoding (Mac) [Easier]

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Posted April 8, 2012 at 8:03pm by Shalom Levytam

These are instructions on how to convert H.264 MKV files to MP4 without re-encoding using MP4Tools for Mac.

Following this procedure will save you lots of time and prevent video quality degradation if you need video in mp4 format for playback through iTunes, the Apple TV, or your iOS device.

Step One
Download MP4Tools from here and copy the application to your Applications folder.

How to Convert H.264 MKV Files to MP4 Without Re-encoding (Mac) [Easier]

Step Two
Launch MP4Tools from your Applications folder.

Step Three
Click Open, select your mkv file, and click Open again.

Step Four
Ensure that your video and audio tracks are selected. If your video is H.264 you will not need to re-encode the video so select Pass Thru from the video section. If the audio is aac you will not need to re-encode the audio so you can select Pass Thru from the audio section. If it is NOT aac then select AAC from the audio section.

Step Five
Click convert to begin creating your MP4 file.

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stephen2 - December 5, 2017 at 3:10am

if on windows use mkvtomp4 at www.videohelp.com/software/MkvToMp4 change the mkv/m2ts/mts to Mp4 without reconverting/transcoding video

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stephen2 - December 5, 2017 at 3:05am

Much of the software you guys are talking about will re-encode the video and audio thereby causing a little degradation in quality even at the highest settings. this tutorial is how to remove the audio and video from a mkv container and put it into a mp4 container. neither the video or audio needs to be re-encoded so no quality loss and it's done in about a minute and a half. I have used handbrake many times and it is great for encoding / re-encoding but it will not change container format without re-encoding WALTR also will transcode (re-encode) the file causing a little quality loss.

Juan Cordes - January 19, 2013 at 2:31am

Handbrake often fails on large MKV files. So an alternative is needed.

gmcmoz - August 9, 2012 at 6:39pm

man thanks i have like 3 big ass mkv files just chilling on my desktop i would love to watch them on my ps3 or xbox. i will try this later today

KrissssThere - April 9, 2012 at 8:27am

Use iVI, so easy to use and loads all info automaticly...

Sean - April 9, 2012 at 4:46am

As I said in the windows one use Handbrake. Much better overall and not limited to just mp4 conversion. http://handbrake.fr/

Marco Polo - April 9, 2012 at 6:22am

Handbrake is awesome. They have a command line utility as well which u can run as a service to watch a certain folder and automatically convert any new video files (any format) to mp4. Can't beat that.

Christopher Abad - April 9, 2012 at 3:13pm

It's really work?anyway il try