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Using VLC to convert .mkv to .mp4

akash.nu

akash.nu

macrumors G4
Original poster
May 26, 2016
10,876
17,023
Hi 👋 guys,

I have about 34GB of .mkv files in my Plex server but unfortunately, Plex does not support .mkv files, so I am looking to convert them into .mp4. I am thinking of using VLC to convert these files using a 13" MacBook Pro 2019 model with 16GB RAM. Has anyone else tried to convert using VLC and have you faced any issues?
 
What happens when you try? Plex plays my MKVs through the AppleTV app and the browser client.
 
HDFan said:
Both Plex and Infuse support .mkv files.
Click to expand...

I have no idea why my files don’t show up on Plex then. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Have you faced a situation like that?

26139 said:
What happens when you try? Plex plays my MKVs through the AppleTV app and the browser client.
Click to expand...

They just don’t show up in my library at all.
 
How are you naming your files? Are you following the Plex naming rules?

I have had problems when I have 2 files with the same name, one 4K and one 1080p.
 
HDFan said:
How are you naming your files? Are you following the Plex naming rules?

I have had problems when I have 2 files with the same name, one 4K and one 1080p.
Click to expand...

I’m definitely missing something. Have you got a link where I can see the naming convention ? I didn’t know there was a proper naming convention.
 
Do other file types play in Plex for you?
This is the first I’ve heard of Plex requiring a proper naming convention.

either way, I use iskysoft to convert video, it works well for batches.
 
26139 said:
Do other file types play in Plex for you?
This is the first I’ve heard of Plex requiring a proper naming convention.

either way, I use iskysoft to convert video, it works well for batches.
Click to expand...

Yep most of my other videos are all in .mp4 format and they show up fine.

Although I’ve recently noticed that some of the mp4 files ain’t showing either.
 
.mkv and .mp4 are containers. Perhaps your .mkv files don't play in Plex because they use an incompatible codec.
 
chabig said:
.mkv and .mp4 are containers. Perhaps your .mkv files don't play in Plex because they use an incompatible codec.
Click to expand...

This is a very good point actually. I didn’t look into that. They play in VLC though but I’m aware that VLC supports a much wider number of codecs compared to Plex.
 
akash.nu said:
Hi 👋 guys,

I have about 34GB of .mkv files in my Plex server but unfortunately, Plex does not support .mkv files, so I am looking to convert them into .mp4. I am thinking of using VLC to convert these files using a 13" MacBook Pro 2019 model with 16GB RAM. Has anyone else tried to convert using VLC and have you faced any issues?
Click to expand...

I use handbrake for the conversion.
 
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HDFan said:
support.plex.tv

Naming and Organizing Your TV Show Files

The scanners and metadata agents used by Plex will work best when your major types of content are separated from...
support.plex.tv support.plex.tv

support.plex.tv

Naming and organizing your Movie files

The scanners and metadata agents used by Plex will work best when your major types of content are separated from...
support.plex.tv support.plex.tv
Click to expand...

Thanks @HDFan , this was the issue. I just needed to create a new folder and dump them all inside them. All working now. Cheers
 
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