As online video consumption skyrockets, you may find yourself needing to choose between MP4 and MKV when creating and storing digital footage. These formats both have pros and cons depending on your priorities. This guide will break things down in detail so you can make the right decision.
Why Care About Video Formats?
First, why pay attention to technical formats like MP4 and MKV in the first place? The file container impacts:
- Playback quality and compatibility
- File size for transferring and streaming
- Editing, post-production and archiving capabilities
- Publishing platforms and monetization options
Picking the best format can mean the difference between smooth video experiences or playback failures. It also determines things like storage needs and upload speeds.
As online video grows exponentially year-over-year, properly formatting footage is crucial:
| Global Internet Video Traffic in Exabytes per Month | 2018 | 2022 (forecast) |
| Non-Business Video Traffic | 71 | 164 |
| Business Video Traffic | 17 | 38 |
So let‘s break down MP4 and MKV formats and key differences.
MP4 Format Overview
MP4, officially called MPEG-4 Part 14, was first introduced in 2001 as a powerful way to compress and distribute video digitally with high quality, yet small file sizes. Some defining features:
- Built on advanced video/audio encoding algorithms (common ones are H.264, H.265, AAC)
- Widely supported across consumer devices, websites and streaming platforms
- Efficient compression for smaller files than alternatives like MKV
- Good (but not lossless) quality retention on encoding
- Playback support on virtually all phones, tablets, desktops
MP4 balances quality with compression efficiency. Let‘s compare it now to MKV.
MKV Format Overview
Introduced in 2002, the Matroska Multimedia Container takes an open-ended approach with maximum flexibility:
- Support for any imaginable audio/video encoding without restriction
- Advanced features like multiple video angles, subtitle tracks etc
- Ability to compress 100% lossless for original quality
- Larger file sizes due to reduced compression or lossless modes
- Playback gaps on some consumer mobile devices and smart TVs
MKV focuses on high quality and technical versatility over size optimization.
Technical Comparison
Now let‘s analyze MP4 and MKV across various multimedia parameters:
Video Codec Support Comparison
| MP4 | MKV | |
| H.264 | Yes | Yes |
| H.265 (HEVC) | Yes | Yes |
| AV1 | Limited1 | Yes |
| MPEG-1 | No | Yes |
1 MP4 technically supports AV1 playback but lacks full content creation capabilities currently. MKV supports the full AV1 codec pipeline.
As shown above, MKV supports a superset of codecs – old through cutting edge. MP4 focuses on newer, efficient codecs preferred for streaming video pipelines.
Compatible Resolutions
Both formats support progressive scan and interlaced high definition content up to today‘s 4K resolutions:
| Resolution | MP4 Compatible? | MKV Compatible? |
| 720p HD (1280 x 720) | Yes | Yes |
| 1080p FHD (1920 x 1080) | Yes | Yes |
| 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | Yes | Yes |
Resolution support depends purely on video codec capabilities and available device hardware resolution – the file containers themselves do not limit it.
Both also already support emerging 8K formats. MKV has additional provisions for complex projection systems like fulldome.
Advanced Feature Comparison
Due to its flexible, open-ended design, MKV enables complex configurations lacking in MP4:
| MP4 | MKV | |
| Chapters | No | Yes |
| Multiple Video Angles | No | Yes |
| 3D Video Support | Limited | Yes + additional 3D configuration data |
| Advanced Subtitles (PGS, SSA) | No | Yes |
As shown above, MKV has extensive provisions for complex media configurations involving things like multiple angles, subtitles and immersive 3D footage. MP4 stops short here.
Audio Support Comparison
Due to origins in online streaming, MP4 mandates newer audio codecs designed for efficient compression. MKV imposes no restrictions:
| MP4 | MKV | |
| AAC | Yes | Yes |
| MP3 | Yes | Yes |
| FLAC (lossless) | No | Yes |
| Opus | Limited | Yes |
MKV supports lossless FLAC audio for the highest fidelity, and niche codecs like Opus. MP4 cannot contain FLAC but has widespread device codec support.
Supported Platforms and Devices
When it comes to hardware playback support, MP4 has wider compatibility:
| MP4 | MKV | |
| Android & iOS | Yes | Varies by device1 |
| PlayStation/Xbox | Yes | Xbox Only |
| Chromecast/AirPlay | Yes | No |
| Smart TVs | Yes | Varies by model |
| Desktop Web Browsers | Yes | Varies by browser |
1 MKV support on phones/tablets depends on SoC chipset, often lacking in budget models.
Desktop playback is reliable for both, but MP4 enjoys ubiquitous mobile device support that MKV presently lacks.
Verdict – Which Format is Right For You?
Based on the key points analyzed above, here is guidance on choosing MP4 vs MKV:
- For online streaming or mobile viewers – Use MP4 format. You need flawless playback across phones, tablets, apps and websites. File size also matters here.
- Archiving home movies at highest quality – Use MKV format. Preserve original fidelity before compression with flexible lossless options.
- When advanced editing/layering is required – Use MKV format. MP4 re-encoding degrades quality and complicates complex timelines.
- To publish user generated video content – Use MP4 format. It will upload faster and have best audience reach.
MKV is a specialty format advantage in niche cases like media mastering. But MP4 offers the right balance of quality and compatibility for most. Consider your viewers, distribution plans and technical requirements when deciding.
I hope this detailed examination helps shed light on picking the best format! Let me know if you have any other questions.
