Why should I convert WMV files to MKV?

Converting WMV to MKV allows you to archive and distribute video with richer metadata, multiple audio and subtitle tracks, and an open container format supported by many tools, improving flexibility beyond WMV's Windows-focused environment.

Will converting WMV to MKV reduce my video quality?

If you remux your WMV video into MKV without re-encoding, the original video quality is preserved. However, re-encoding during conversion may cause some quality loss.

Can all devices play MKV files converted from WMV?

Not necessarily. MKV playback support depends on the device and the codecs contained. Some devices may not support WMV codecs inside MKV, so playback could be limited without re-encoding to a widely supported codec.

Convert Your Video from WMV to MKV Format - Online Video Converter

Easily convert WMV video files to the flexible and open MKV container format. Preserve original streams, add subtitles, audio tracks, chapters, and rich metadata for versatile playback and archiving.

Upload Your File | Maximum Size Upto 25MB

Quick Access To 38 WMV File Conversion Pairs

What Is This Tool?

This tool converts videos from WMV (Windows Media Video), a Microsoft proprietary format optimized for Windows environments, to MKV (Matroska), an open, flexible multimedia container that supports multiple audio, video, subtitle tracks, and metadata. It enables users to archive, distribute, and enhance WMV videos in a more versatile container format.

How to Use This Tool?

Upload your WMV video file from your device or cloud storage
Choose MKV as the output format to convert your video into the Matroska container
Optionally add subtitle tracks, additional audio, chapters, or attachments as needed
Start the conversion process and wait for the tool to remux or convert your file
Download the resulting MKV file ready for playback or further editing

Key Features

Convert WMV videos into MKV container without re-encoding to preserve original quality
Add multiple audio tracks, subtitle files, chapters, and attachments to videos
Support for advanced subtitle formats like ASS/SSA inside MKV
Open and royalty-free MKV format with wide muxing/demuxing and playback support
Ideal for archiving and distributing videos with rich metadata and multiple streams

Examples

Convert a recorded desktop WMV video to MKV to add subtitles and chapters for better archival playback without lossy re-encoding
Remux a WMV movie into MKV format including multiple audio commentary tracks and font attachments for multilingual distribution
Archive WMV-origin footage in MKV format with rich metadata and multiple subtitle options for long-term preservation

Common Use Cases

Archiving WMV videos in an open container to enable adding chapters, attachments, and enhanced metadata
Combining original WMV streams with multiple audio and subtitle tracks for distribution or review copies
Transferring Windows-focused WMV files into a flexible MKV container supported by many muxing and playback tools

Tips & Best Practices

Use MKV when you need to store multiple audio and subtitle tracks in one video file
Avoid re-encoding if you want to preserve the original WMV stream quality by remuxing into MKV
Check player compatibility as some devices may not support all MKV features or the original WMV codecs inside MKV
Add chapters and attachments to MKV files to improve navigation and metadata use
If device support is limited, consider re-encoding WMV to a more widely supported codec before converting to MKV

Limitations

Playback of MKV files depends on the contained codecs; some players may not support WMV codecs even inside MKV
Converting WMV to MKV does not guarantee universal compatibility without re-encoding to newer codecs like H.264 or HEVC
MKV format support varies on professional editing and streaming platforms, and some features like attachments or uncommon subtitles may not be supported everywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I convert WMV files to MKV?: Converting WMV to MKV allows you to archive and distribute video with richer metadata, multiple audio and subtitle tracks, and an open container format supported by many tools, improving flexibility beyond WMV's Windows-focused environment.
Will converting WMV to MKV reduce my video quality?: If you remux your WMV video into MKV without re-encoding, the original video quality is preserved. However, re-encoding during conversion may cause some quality loss.
Can all devices play MKV files converted from WMV?: Not necessarily. MKV playback support depends on the device and the codecs contained. Some devices may not support WMV codecs inside MKV, so playback could be limited without re-encoding to a widely supported codec.

Key Terminology

WMV (Windows Media Video): A proprietary Microsoft video codec and container format optimized for streaming and playback on Windows platforms with integrated DRM support.
MKV (Matroska): An open, flexible multimedia container format that can hold multiple video, audio, subtitle tracks, chapters, attachments, and metadata in one file.
Remuxing: The process of changing the container format of a video file without re-encoding the underlying audio or video streams to preserve original quality.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is a key advantage of the MKV format?

It is a proprietary format optimized for Windows.

It supports multiple audio, video, subtitle tracks, and rich metadata.

It only supports a single video and audio stream.

What happens if you remux WMV to MKV without re-encoding?

The original video quality is maintained.

The video quality is significantly reduced.

The video is converted to a proprietary codec.

Which of these is a limitation when converting WMV to MKV?

MKV always improves playback on all devices.

Some players may not support WMV codecs inside MKV containers.

WMV loses metadata after conversion.