Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: cheryl j on 12/12/2013 03:54:46

Title: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: cheryl j on 12/12/2013 03:54:46

I downloaded a program called "E.M. free MKV Video2DVD 3.30" to convert an MKV file to DVD. (It's a movie that I want to burn.)

It says it is 100% done with the converting process, but then just seems stuck at that point. How long does it take? How do I know if it's doing anything or frozen? I'm not very knowledgeable about this stuff.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: RD on 12/12/2013 05:01:37

Quote from: cheryl j on 12/12/2013 03:54:46

...It says it is 100% done with the converting process, but then just seems stuck at that point. How long does it take?

It depends on how fast your computer is, but the time taken to convert is about 1/3rd the playing time of the video. Burning to DVD will take about the same time again.

Quote from: cheryl j on 12/12/2013 03:54:46

I downloaded a program called "E.M. free MKV Video2DVD 3.30" to convert an MKV file to DVD. (It's a movie that I want to burn.)

The manufacturers of "E.M. free MKV Video2DVD 3.30" have some bad customer reviews on WOT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOT_Services) ...
https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/effectmatrix.com?utm_source=addon&utm_content=rw-viewsc
It may be you have to pay before the "free" software is fully functional.

There are free [video] file converter programs listed on wikipedia ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_portable_software#File_converters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_converters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_converters)

and some Freeware DVD authoring tools ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_optical_disc_authoring_software

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: syhprum on 12/12/2013 22:10:39

ConvertXtoDVD 4

simple and reliable

Wondershare Video Converter Platinum

Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate

a little more complex but very fast as they both can run in a video card such as a NVidia 8400GS or similar
beware converting on the CPU can lead to overheating hence one more advantage to running on the video card if you have one

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: RD on 12/12/2013 23:58:38

Before downloading software it's worth looking at the user-reviews on the manufacturer's WOT scorecard (https://www.mywot.com/). Ignore generic "good" reviews which could be from cyber-shills (http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Internet-shill) , just look out for any specific problems raised by users , e.g. the software cannot be removed / doesn't work as advertised / billed as free but payment required / comes with malware-crapware attached , etc.

If you can, run free software in a sandbox (http://www.howtogeek.com/169139/sandboxes-explained-how-theyre-already-protecting-you-and-how-to-sandbox-any-program/) / virtual-machine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_machine) to avoid any malware or crapware getting on to your computer, although virtualization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtualization) will slow down the software.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: lindali on 13/12/2013 01:31:48

There are many free and good to use dvd burner online, for example ImgBurn, DVDflick, StartBurn, BurnAware Free, etc. You can change another to have a try. But I'm not sure whether they support MKV files, if they don't, you can refer to this article http://drm-assistant.com/articles/how-to-convert-hd-camcorder-videos-to-dvd.html. Besides, if you need to convert dvd to other devices for playback, here is another article Put DVD onto iPad 4 (http://drm-assistant.com/dvdtips/rip-dvds-to-ipad-4th-generation.html).

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: RD on 13/12/2013 02:36:57

Quote from: lindali on 13/12/2013 01:31:48

... you can refer to this article http://drm-assistant.com/articles/how-to-convert-hd-camcorder-videos-to-dvd.html.

Which gives a link to "Leawo DVD Creator" software not downloaded directly from the manufacturer, such second-hand copies could have been tampered with : don't go there.
Also Leawo has negative reviews on WOT ... https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/leawo.com
These bad reviews may be as a result of downloading a second-hand copy of which comes with hidden extras : malware.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: syhprum on 13/12/2013 12:14:19

Picture processing is a very CPU intensive process that may well lead to over heating which could well be the cause of the program hanging, I suggest you install the free temperature checker coretemp_1236 (beware it foists additions on you if you are not careful but no malware).
It is better to do picture processing with a program that runs in the GPU (if you have one) but over heating can often be reduced by replacing the heat compound between the CPU and its heat sink.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: cheryl j on 14/12/2013 05:01:08

Thanks for all the advice. I did finally get it to work with a different program. It was Convert any DVD. Pretty time consuming process - not sure it's worth the effort, but an interesting experiment.

The quality was ok, but the only problem was it has the English subtitles in it, which are kind of distracting. If I decide to try it again, at what point would you try to remove them, when its converting to mkv, or after? Or is there no way to change that? Does it depend on the program you use?

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: syhprum on 14/12/2013 12:04:13

Can you let me know what the movie is and from whence you obtained it, if the subtitles are impressed onto the actual print there is nothing you can do but if they are separate it is quite possible you can exclude them.
Let me know where to find said movie and I will look into it for you.

ConvertXtoDVD 4
 is a good simple program but much slower than those that run in the GPU.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: cheryl j on 14/12/2013 15:49:39

Its the bbc television series sherlock. I just wanted to make a back up copy since we watch it a lot and sometimes I can't find it in my daughters room.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: syhprum on 14/12/2013 16:30:40

is it series 1 or 2 both are available ?

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: cheryl j on 14/12/2013 20:09:57

This episode was from series 2.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: syhprum on 15/12/2013 00:00:24

I downloaded this package from a file sharing network it included an AVI video file and a subtitle .SRT subtitle file

Sherlock.2x01.A.Scandal.In.Belgravia.AVI

Sherlock.2x01.A.Scandal.In.Belgravia.SRT

Processing with ConvertXtoDVD 4 you can choose whether or not to include the .SRT file
it takes about an hour all told but is much quicker if you use a GPU processing program.
ConvertXtoDVD 4 will cope with a MKV file no problem but if it already has the subtitles ingrained in it there is no way to remove them.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: cheryl j on 15/12/2013 03:55:06

Thanks for your help! I'll see what happens.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: Ptolemy on 17/12/2013 05:15:42

Have you tried AppGeeker DVD Creator? www.appgeeker.com (http://www.appgeeker.com/)

It's been ages since I've used it to burn DVDs, but it might do the trick.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: tonyswota on 02/01/2014 03:21:00

You can have a try with this dvd tool firecoresoft.com/dvd-maker.html
I always burn video with it, it will show you the processing.

Title: Re: converting MKV file to DVD
Post by: Nepheler on 28/11/2014 03:13:15

Pavtube DVD Creator is a nice app if you are running a Mac. works smoothly on my iMac OS X 10.7.5  [:o)]
http://www.pavtube.cn/dvd-creator-mac/ (http://www.pavtube.cn/dvd-creator-mac/)