How to convert MKV to M4V for easy XBOX 360 streaming from Mac OSX
May 24, 2008
OK, I am going to write a simple howto on how I personally convert my HD 720p BT MKV into something that the XBOX 360 can playback.
I know, I should use an Apple TV instead… but frankly I can’t. I am using Microsoft MCE in my house to run my TV and I employ 2 x XBOX 360 as extenders. One in the basement and one in the master bedroom.
So when I want to watch an HD episode of Battlestar Galactica in my bed I need to stream it to an XBOX 360 compatible format. Note that this solution could also be used to convert the file to an Apple TV compatible format too (likely the same darn file that will play on the 360).
What ingredients will you need:
1. An HD MKV file (obviously)
2. Perian QuickTime codec
3. A QuickTime Pro License
4. Nullriver Connect 360
Step 1:
The 1st thing you need to do it to download Perian from perian.org. Please watch the Screencast below to learn how to do that. Note that you can watch the HD version of this video in all it’s glory by following the link in the player:
How To install perian on OSX from Bernard Maltais on Vimeo.
Step 2:
You need to encapsulate the h.264 video stream within the MKV file into an mpeg4 container. The audio (most likely some form of AC3 or MP3) will also need to be converted to AAC audio. Please watch the Screencast below to learn how to do that. Note that you can watch the HD version of this video in all it’s glory by following the link in the player:
How to convert mkv to m4v video format from Bernard Maltais on Vimeo.
Step 3:
Put the converted file in a folder that Connect 360 can share to the XBOX 360.
Go on your XBOX 360 and enjoy the episode!
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[...] [Technorati] Tag results for xbox360 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt OK, I am going to write a simple howto on how I personally convert my HD 720p BT MKV into something that the XBOX 360 can playback. I know, I should use an Apple TV instead… but frankly I can’t. I am using Microsoft MCE in my house to run my TV and I employ 2 x XBOX 360 as extenders. One in the basement and one in the maser bedroom. So when I want to watch an HD episode of Battlestar Galactica in my bed I need to stream it to an XBOX 360 compatible format. Note that this solution could also [...]
[...] How to convert MKV to M4V for easy XBOX 360 streaming from Mac OSX By bmaltais So when I want to watch an HD episode of Battlestar Galactica in my bed I need to stream it to an XBOX 360 compatible format. Note that this solution could also be used to convert the file to an Apple TV compatible format too (likely … JoostTeam.com - http://www.joostteam.com [...]
Thanks a bunch!
Hey Thanks a lot, I have been looking everywhere for a tutorial…
Your GreaT!!!!
Two Thumbs Up!
Thanks a lot! I did have some problems converting 1920×800 movies. They didn’t look right. I also converted a 1280×544 with no problems, but then it wouldn’t play on the 360 for some reason.
Have you had any success doing movies in 720p or 1080p?
Thanks again!
Julian
Julian, The xbox 360 should be able to play those files unless the bitrate is too high or the h.264 video profile is above what the xbox 360 is able to handle. I am not too sure anymore what the 360 can handle…
Here are the specs for supported h264 on the xbox:
Q: What does the Xbox 360 console support for H.264?
A: The Xbox 360 console supports the following for H.264:
* File extensions: .mp4, .m4v, mp4v, .mov, .avi
* Containers: MPEG-4, QuickTime
* Video profiles: Baseline, main, and high (up to level 4.1)
* Video bit rate: 10 Mbps with resolutions of 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps. See the question about max bit rate, resolution, and frames per second.
* Audio profiles: AAC, 2-channel, Low Complexity
* Audio max bit rate: No restrictions. See the question about max bit rate, resolution, and frames per second.
Master!!! I have nothing to say but thanks!!
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Thanks a lot!
For those who failed, you may try using ffmpegX and WMV…
Anyway, it’s a very cool guide
I had a problem. My video is H.264 but for some reason I can’t do the pass-through encoding. The option is greyed out. Any thoughts on this?
Thank you!
Update:
I haven’t been able to get a single movie to play on my 360 using this method.
I did this but the audio is out of sync. why is that?
I was able to get one video to “pass through” fine but I’m having a problem with another and it’s not letting me select pass through from the pulldown menu. Any thoughts??
I was unable to select pass through as well, the file info showed the H264 codec though, confused. I stopped the export and when I reopened file it did not allow me to export, wierd. I will try w/ another .mkv file.
if you are unable to select pass through check your setting for File Format at the top, it should be on MP4, not MP4 (ISMA).
I have successfully created the file but it does not play on the 360, it shows up just does not play. Please Help!