MP4 vs MKV, M4V vs MP4, M4V vs MKV
MP4, M4V, and MKV are popular video file formats used in computers. MP4 and M4V are similar while MKV is completely different in structure. Conceptually they share the same principles at the elementary levels.
MP4
MP4 is a file container format developed by the Moving Pictures Experts Group for the International Standards Organization, and it is based on the QTFF. In fact, the initial release of the format was nearly identical to the QTFF. Still they share the same structure, but MP4 has moved up the timeline and developed into a more advanced container. It is now a major component of the ISO based media file format standards.
Widely used data streams in the MP4 file format are MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264) and MPEG-4 Part for video and Advanced Audio Coding for audio streams. Subtitles use the MPEG-4 Timed Text data stream.
Since the initial development was based on the QTFF, much of the structure of MPEG-4 is the same. In an Apple environment (MacOS or iOS), these file formats can be used interchangeably. The file format can be changed without actually re-encoding video. The MP4 has the advantage of being able to stream over the internet while QTFF does not support this. Also, MP4 is supported by most of the OS platforms and video editing software. The community around the standard has grown, and contributions from the community have ensured the progress of the standard in the industry; something QTFF does not enjoy due to its proprietary nature.
MPEG4 files use the .mp4 extension in general, but depending on the application extension used may differ. For example, the audio only file can use the .m4a extension. Raw MPEG4 video bit streams are given the .m4v extension. The video file formats used in the mobile phones are also a development from the MPEG4-12, and they use the .3gp and .3g2 extensions. Audio books use the .m4b extension because variation in the code allows bookmarking the audio file.
M4V
M4V is a development from the MP4 file container. It was developed by Apple, to accommodate copyrights in iTunes and related products. Since MP4 is based on Apple`s QTFF format, it is reasonable to say that M4V is a derivative of QTFF.
The structures of MP4 and M4V are almost the same while Apple’s FairPlay DRM (digital rights management) copyright protection is applied to all the M4V files. Also, it supports A3C (Dolby sound) which is not a standard audio stream used in MP4 format.
As intended, M4V is the primary file format used in iTunes environment. If the file is protected, it can be opened only on a licensed version of the apple product or the computer needs to be authorized using Apple iTunes. If the file is unprotected, it can be opened by many of the software that are able to open MP4 files.
Because of the proprietary nature of the file format, it may sometimes become difficult to use if proper procedures are followed. It carries all the advantages of MP4 format with the disadvantages of proprietary file formats.
MKV
MKV is a media container format, which is both open standard and free. It is named after the Russian nesting dolls and called Matroska Multimedia Container. It is given this name specifically because of the containers ability to hold any number of data streams within a single file. It is completely an open specification and open source platforms and software use and support it extensively.
MKV files can hold multiple media streams within the same file. For example, a movie can be encoded in MKV to contain audio tracks in two languages, in the same file. The required track can be selected when playing. The individual tracks of a media file are saved as individual data lines. Conceptually it is similar to the MP4 and AVI file formats. Because of this, it is easier to edit and store multimedia files in MKV format and it is convenient to store highest amount of data possible in a single file.
Many media players for windows and Mac now support the MKV file format; if not, installing a generic codec like K-lite codec Pack will enable the player to run MKV files.
MP4 vs M4V vs MKV
• MP4 was developed by MPEG of the ISO, based on the QTFF, and now used as an industry standard. M4V is a derivative of the MP4 format and developed by Apple to be used in their products as a proprietary file format. MKV is a completely open container specification.
• MP4 can include video, audio, text, and other media in one file. M4V inherits this property from MP4. In MKV, any number of audio, video, or other media can be included in the same file.
• MP4 is widely supported by industry software and hardware. Protected M4V is supported only by licensed Apple products or products authorized by Apple through iTunes. MKV is supported by many software and platforms, but not as much as MP4. Additional codecs can be installed to use MKV files.
• MP4 is widely used for online media, and M4V inherits this. MKV is not likely used in online media streaming.
• MP4 does not use A3C (Dolby sound) while M4V is developed to support A3C.