What is the main difference between OGV and MKV?

OGV is an open-source video container that uses Ogg streams commonly with Theora video, while MKV is a flexible multimedia container capable of holding multiple audio, video, subtitle tracks, chapters, and metadata in one file.

Will converting OGV to MKV improve playback on all devices?

Not necessarily. Playback compatibility depends on the codecs inside the MKV file, so converting alone does not guarantee improved hardware support.

Do I need to re-encode my video when converting OGV to MKV?

If the codecs inside your OGV file are supported by MKV, re-encoding is not needed, which preserves original quality and speeds up conversion.

Convert Your OGV Video to MKV Format Easily Online

Learn how to convert your OGV video files to the versatile MKV format using an easy online tool. Preserve your streams with no re-encoding and support multiple tracks, subtitles, and metadata.

Upload Your File | Maximum Size Upto 25MB

Quick Access To 38 OGV File Conversion Pairs

What Is This Tool?

This online converter allows you to change your OGV video files into the MKV format. OGV is an open-source container primarily used for royalty-free web videos, while MKV is a flexible multimedia container that supports multiple audio, video, subtitle tracks, chapters, and metadata. This tool helps you remux OGV files into MKV to better organize and enhance your video content without needing to re-encode streams when supported.

How to Use This Tool?

Upload your OGV video file to the online converter
Select MKV as the output format for conversion
Optionally add subtitle files or chapter information if available
Click the convert button to start remuxing your video to MKV
Download the converted MKV file once the process completes

Key Features

Convert OGV video files into the MKV container format
Preserve original audio and video streams without re-encoding when codecs are compatible
Support for multiple audio tracks, subtitles, chapters, and attachments within MKV files
Ideal for archiving, distribution, and embedding metadata with your videos
Open-source codec compatibility maintained during conversion

Examples

Convert an OGV file with Theora video and Opus audio into MKV while adding subtitle tracks and chapters without re-encoding
Remux community-sourced OGV clips into MKV to embed multiple language audio tracks and subtitles for easier screening
Archive home videos in MKV format combining existing open-source encoded streams with metadata and attachments

Common Use Cases

Preparing archival copies of OGV videos in a container that supports advanced features for long-term storage
Repackaging OGV files into MKV to enhance playback compatibility and management in workflows supporting Matroska
Combining open-source encoded audio/video with subtitles and chapters into a single MKV file for distribution or review

Tips & Best Practices

Ensure your OGV file codecs are supported in MKV to avoid re-encoding and preserve quality
Add chapter markers and subtitle files to improve navigation and accessibility in the converted MKV
Use this converter to maintain royalty-free formats while gaining MKV’s rich metadata support
Check your target playback device compatibility, as MKV support varies across platforms
Avoid unnecessary re-encoding to save processing time and maintain original stream quality

Limitations

Conversion to MKV does not improve codec compatibility; playback depends on the codecs contained
Re-encoding might be necessary to use modern codecs, which can cause quality loss and require extra processing
OGV’s less efficient compression means converted files may remain large unless streams are re-encoded
Some hardware devices and professional platforms have limited or inconsistent support for MKV files
Advanced features like attachments and unusual subtitle formats may not be supported by all media players

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between OGV and MKV?: OGV is an open-source video container that uses Ogg streams commonly with Theora video, while MKV is a flexible multimedia container capable of holding multiple audio, video, subtitle tracks, chapters, and metadata in one file.
Will converting OGV to MKV improve playback on all devices?: Not necessarily. Playback compatibility depends on the codecs inside the MKV file, so converting alone does not guarantee improved hardware support.
Do I need to re-encode my video when converting OGV to MKV?: If the codecs inside your OGV file are supported by MKV, re-encoding is not needed, which preserves original quality and speeds up conversion.

Key Terminology

OGV: A video file format that uses the Ogg container to store Theora video and Vorbis or Opus audio streams using open and royalty-free codecs.
MKV: Matroska, a flexible open multimedia container supporting multiple encoded audio, video, and subtitle tracks along with metadata and attachments.
Muxing: The process of combining multiple audio, video, subtitle streams, and metadata into a single container file without re-encoding the streams.

Quick Knowledge Check

What kind of multimedia streams does OGV typically use?

H.264 video and AAC audio

Theora video and Vorbis or Opus audio

HEVC video and AC3 audio

Which feature is a strong advantage of MKV over OGV?

Supports multiple audio and subtitle tracks in one file

Uses royalty-free codecs only

Requires less disk space always

What must be true to avoid re-encoding when converting OGV to MKV?

The codecs inside OGV are supported by MKV

You disable metadata copying

The OGV file is smaller than 100 MB