The MKV video file format may not be the most popular format today. However, it is widely used by many systems because it is both an open standard and free. A more detailed description of MKV files can be found below.
- MKV Format
MKV files are developed by the Matroska Group to work as a multimedia container. It functions very much like AVI, ASF, and MP4. The MKV extension signifies a full, playable video file while MK3D is for stereoscopic or 3D videos. There are also the MKS and MKA files which correspond to subtitle files and audio files respectively. Although not a standard file format, MKV is supported by different media players such as the VLC, PS3 Media Server, and Google Chrome. Android devices can read MKV files as well.
- MKV Codec
The MKV codec is required for ease of playing MKV files. For codec issues with regards to MKV files, two options are available to users. First, they can download CCCP or the Combined Community Codec pack on their computer in order to play MKV and MKA files. This codec pack works on Windows Media Players. The other option is the Matroska Pack Lite, which includes all codecs required to play Matroska media files. This codec pack also works on both DirectShow and the Windows Media Player.
- How to Successfully Play MKV Videos
For issues concerning MKV files not playing properly on the computer even after all the necessary codecs have been installed, converting the file in an entirely different format may be required. Macintosh computers, for one, doesn’t support MKV files playback. In order for these files to properly play on Apple devices, the installation of a more compatible player is recommended. In this case, the VLC Player is ideal. Converting the file into an entirely different format is also a good solution.
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