How to Convert MKV to DVD: A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Steps

MKV (Matroska) files are a versatile video container format known for holding high-definition video and multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and other features. However, MKV files aren’t directly playable on standard DVD players. If you have a collection of MKV videos you’d like to watch on your DVD player, you’ll need to convert them to DVD format. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to achieve this conversion. We’ll cover the necessary tools, the detailed process, and troubleshooting tips to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. Let’s dive in!

Why Convert MKV to DVD?

Before we get into the ‘how,’ let’s understand the ‘why.’ Here are a few key reasons why you might want to convert MKV files to DVD:

• Compatibility: Standard DVD players don’t support MKV files. Converting them to a playable DVD format (MPEG-2 for video and either AC3 or PCM for audio) allows you to watch them on any DVD player.
• Archiving: DVDs provide a physical medium for storing and sharing your video collection. This can be a useful backup method and a way to share your movies with friends and family who may not be familiar with digital media.
• Ease of Use: DVD players are still widely used, especially in homes with older entertainment systems. A DVD offers a simple way to play videos without the need for computer knowledge.
• Presentation: A professionally authored DVD can feature custom menus, chapter selection, and subtitles, enhancing the viewing experience.

Tools You’ll Need

To convert MKV files to DVD, you’ll need several key tools:

1. Video Conversion Software: This software converts the MKV file into a DVD-compatible video format (MPEG-2) and often supports authoring of DVD menus. Some popular options include:
• DVDFab DVD Creator: A robust commercial option with numerous features and good output quality.
• ConvertXtoDVD: Another commercial option known for its ease of use and efficiency.
• AVS Video Converter: A commercial tool that handles a variety of video formats and provides good DVD conversion features.
• Wondershare UniConverter (formerly Video Converter Ultimate): A versatile converter that supports many formats and provides DVD burning.
• Freemake Video Converter: A freemium (free with watermarks and limited functionality) option suitable for simpler conversions, but functionality may be restricted in the free version.
• HandBrake: While HandBrake doesn’t directly burn DVDs, it is excellent for converting MKV to DVD-compatible MPEG-2 video files which can then be used with other DVD authoring software. (A bit more advanced workflow)
2. DVD Authoring Software (Optional but Recommended): For more advanced control over DVD menus, chapter points, and other features, you might want to use a dedicated DVD authoring program. This is particularly useful if your conversion software doesn’t provide advanced menu creation capabilities. Good authoring programs include:
   • DVDStyler: A free, open-source DVD authoring tool with great flexibility.
   • PowerDirector: A commercial video editor with robust DVD authoring capabilities.
   • Nero Platinum: A commercial suite that includes comprehensive DVD authoring features.
3. Blank DVD Discs: You’ll need blank DVD-R or DVD+R discs to burn the converted video onto. DVD-R is generally considered more universally compatible with older DVD players. Make sure they have adequate capacity (4.7 GB for single-layer, 8.5 GB for dual-layer).
4. A DVD Burner: A computer with a DVD writer/burner drive is required for burning the final DVD.

For this guide, we’ll focus on using DVDFab DVD Creator as the primary example since it is a popular and user-friendly tool for comprehensive MKV to DVD conversion, but the general principles will apply to other software as well. We will also touch upon using HandBrake and a DVD authoring software for users seeking a completely free solution or wanting more granular control over their project.

Step-by-Step Guide to Converting MKV to DVD Using DVDFab DVD Creator

Here’s a detailed guide on how to convert your MKV videos to a playable DVD using DVDFab DVD Creator:

Step 1: Install and Launch DVDFab DVD Creator

1. Download DVDFab DVD Creator: Go to the official DVDFab website and download the DVD Creator. It is a paid software but offers a free trial.
2. Install the software: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer.
3. Launch DVDFab DVD Creator: Once installed, launch the application.

Step 2: Load Your MKV Video Files

1. Click on the “Add” button or Drag and Drop: In the main interface of DVDFab DVD Creator, you’ll find a large “+” or “Add” button. Click it to browse and select the MKV file(s) you want to convert. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop the MKV files directly into the program window. You can add multiple files at once to create a multi-episode DVD.
2. Check the loaded files: After loading the files, they will appear in the program’s main window, often with a thumbnail and basic information about the video such as length, resolution etc.

Step 3: Customize DVD Settings

This step is critical to ensuring that your DVD will be compatible and have the desired look and feel. Let’s take a look at some of the typical settings you should adjust:

1. Output Size: Usually this setting is under the “Settings” or “Output” tab. Choose between the DVD5 (4.7 GB single-layer) and DVD9 (8.5 GB dual-layer) option. If your video files exceed the capacity of a DVD5 disc, choose DVD9 or consider breaking your content over multiple discs.
2. Menu Settings: Navigate to the “Menu” or “Customize” section. DVDFab offers numerous pre-designed templates you can choose from. You can customize the menu text, background image, music, and button layout to your liking. For a more professional touch, you can add title and chapter images.
3. Video Output: Typically, the output format will automatically be set to DVD-compliant MPEG-2 video. Check the encoding settings if available. The video bitrate determines the overall quality of the video. Higher bitrates result in better video but also larger file sizes. A good bitrate range for DVD videos is between 4000 kbps to 8000 kbps depending on your video source and desired level of quality.
4. Audio Output: For the audio, ensure it is set to either AC3 or PCM. AC3 (Dolby Digital) is the standard for DVD audio and is compatible with virtually all DVD players.
5. Subtitle options: You can add or select existing subtitle tracks that were included in the MKV file(s).
6. Aspect Ratio: Make sure the aspect ratio is set correctly. This is usually 16:9 for widescreen videos or 4:3 for standard definition. It might be best to use “Keep source” setting, but manually checking it to match your source is a good practice.

Step 4: Start the Conversion and DVD Authoring

1. Select the Output Folder: Choose a location on your computer to save the temporary DVD files (usually a VIDEO_TS folder) before burning to the disc.
2. Start Conversion: Once everything is set up, click the “Start” or “Convert” button. DVDFab DVD Creator will now start converting your MKV files to a DVD-compatible format, perform necessary encoding and author the DVD structure (including the chosen menu).
3. Wait for Completion: The conversion and authoring process can take some time, depending on the size and number of video files and your computer’s processing power. The software will show you the conversion progress, it is usually a good practice to keep an eye on it and refrain from doing other resource intensive tasks at the same time.

Step 5: Burn the DVD

1. Insert a Blank DVD: After the conversion and DVD authoring are complete, you will be prompted by DVDFab to insert a blank DVD disc into your computer’s DVD burner. If DVDFab doesn’t prompt you, navigate to the completed project, locate the VIDEO_TS folder and start the burning process using DVDFab’s built-in burning tool (usually on the bottom part of the main window).
2. Start Burning: Click the “Burn” button to begin the disc writing process.
3. Wait for Completion: The burning process also can take a considerable amount of time depending on the amount of data and the speed of your drive.
4. Eject the disc: Once the process is complete, your computer should automatically eject the newly burned DVD. Your DVD is now ready to play on any compatible DVD player!

Using HandBrake for Conversion and DVDStyler for Authoring (Free Option)

If you’re looking for a free solution or prefer more control over specific settings, you can combine HandBrake for conversion and DVDStyler for authoring:

Step 1: Convert MKV to DVD-Compatible Format with HandBrake

1. Download and Install HandBrake: Download the free software from the official HandBrake website and install it.
2. Launch HandBrake: Open the HandBrake application.
3. Open Source File: Drag and drop your MKV video file into HandBrake or click the “Open Source” button and select your MKV file.
4. Select a Preset: Choose the “Normal” or “High Quality” preset under the “General” settings or create custom settings. The important setting here is the video encoder. We will need MPEG-2. Go to the “Video” tab. Set the “Video Encoder” to “MPEG-2”.
5. Adjust Video Settings (Optional): Under the “Video” tab you can fine tune settings like the bit rate. For example 5000 kbps to 8000 kbps should be adequate. Adjust as needed. For “Framerate” choose “Same as Source” or 25fps if your source is PAL or 29.97 or 30 for NTSC.
6. Set Audio: Switch to the “Audio” tab and make sure at least one audio track is selected. Ensure the “Codec” is set to either AC3 or PCM. If multiple audio tracks are available, select which one is to be encoded.
7. Choose Output Destination: Click “Browse” to select where to save the converted MPEG-2 file. Give the file a meaningful name and choose file type as *.mpg or *.mpeg.
8. Start Encoding: Click the “Start Encode” button and HandBrake will start converting the MKV file to an MPEG-2 video file. This might take quite some time.

Step 2: Author Your DVD with DVDStyler

1. Download and Install DVDStyler: Download the free open-source DVD authoring software from the official website and install it.
2. Launch DVDStyler: Open the DVDStyler application.
3. Create a New Project: When prompted, select “New” and choose the video system and aspect ratio (usually PAL or NTSC). Select a suitable preset.
4. Add Video File(s): Drag and drop the converted MPEG-2 file(s) into the project or click “Add File” and select the video file(s).
5. Create and Customize Menus:
   • Choose a Menu Template: Select a suitable menu template from the many available options.
   • Customize Buttons: Add or edit the menu buttons to point to your video. You can add titles, chapter points, or scene selection menus.
   • Customize Background: Add custom images or colors to customize the menu further.
6. Set Chapter Points: If necessary, you can add chapter points to allow easy navigation during playback.
7. Adjust Audio Settings: Make sure your audio settings are correctly set.
8. Save and Export the Project: Select “File -> Burn” or “File -> Export as an ISO image” to burn the DVD. If you select to export an ISO image, you will have to use another tool to burn it on a blank disc.
9. Burn Your Disc: Insert a blank disc and burn the disc through DVDStyler or any other burning software by selecting the completed VIDEO_TS folder from the previous step or mounting the generated ISO image file.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to resolve them:

• Video or Audio Out of Sync:
  • Check the Source File: Ensure the MKV file itself doesn’t have this issue. Play the MKV file with a reliable player such as VLC or MPC-HC to verify if sync issues are present.
  • Re-encode: If the problem exists in the output, try re-encoding the file and choose different audio and video settings. Ensure “Same as source” settings are used. Try different codecs if the problem persists.
  • Adjust Settings: If using HandBrake, double check the framerate and audio sync settings.
• DVD Player Can’t Read the Disc:
  • Disc Compatibility: Check that your DVD player supports the type of disc you used (DVD-R vs. DVD+R). DVD-R is generally more compatible with older players.
  • Burning Speed: Try burning at a slower speed as high speed burns can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
  • Check the DVD Format: Make sure the VIDEO_TS structure is properly burned onto the disc. Make sure you are burning the VIDEO_TS folder content and not the VIDEO_TS folder as a folder itself.
  • Clean the Disc: Check the disc surface for smudges or scratches.
• Conversion Errors:
  • Software Update: Ensure your video conversion software is up to date.
  • Check Source File: Make sure your source MKV is not corrupted or has errors.
  • Reinstall Software: Sometimes reinstalling the software will resolve problems.
  • Try Another Software: Sometimes using a different conversion software will work better for some source files.
• Poor Output Quality:
  • Increase Bitrate: Increase the bitrate in the video encoding settings if possible.
  • Adjust Encoder Settings: Select a higher quality preset or adjust advanced video settings.
• Menu issues:
  • Re-author: Double check menu settings in your authoring software.
  • Test with a virtual player: If possible use a virtual player (usually integrated in the DVD authoring software) to verify the menu is working correctly before burning to a disc.

Tips for a Successful MKV to DVD Conversion

• Back up your original MKV files: Always keep the original MKV files in case something goes wrong during the conversion process.
• Test with a short video clip first: Convert a small part of the video to verify all your settings are correct. This saves time if the settings are not right.
• Don’t rush: Give yourself adequate time during each step. If something goes wrong, it is much easier to diagnose it if you are not in a hurry.
• Double-check your settings: Make sure the chosen video/audio/menu settings are correct before beginning conversion and burning.
• Choose the appropriate output format for the quality you desire: Generally speaking, using a higher bitrate for encoding means a bigger file size but also higher quality.
• Use high-quality DVD discs: Use reputable disc brands to minimize compatibility issues and enhance performance.
• Avoid Over-Burning: Do not try to put more content than what is recommended for your blank DVD disc. It might cause errors during burning and playback.

Conclusion

Converting MKV to DVD allows you to enjoy your video library on any standard DVD player. While it may seem a bit complex initially, with the right tools and a step-by-step approach, it becomes quite straightforward. This comprehensive guide has walked you through the entire process, providing detailed instructions for both commercial software (DVDFab) and free alternatives (HandBrake and DVDStyler). By following these steps, you’ll be able to convert your MKV files into playable DVDs and enjoy them on your desired playback device. With the tips and troubleshooting guide, you should be well equipped to tackle any problem you may encounter and have a great experience!