Difference between M4V and MP4 and MKV
MP4, M4V, and MKV are popular video file formats used on computers. MP4 and M4V are similar, while MKV has a completely different structure. Conceptually, they share the same principles at the elementary levels.
MP4
MP4 is a container file format developed by Moving Picture Experts Group for the International Organization for Standardization and based on QTFF. In fact, the original version of the format was almost identical to QTFF. However, they have the same structure, but MP4 has evolved over time and has become a more advanced container. It is currently the main component of the ISO-based media file format standards.
The most commonly used MP4 file format streams are MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264) and MPEG-4 Part for video and Advanced Audio Coding for audio streams. The subtitles use the MPEG-4 Timed Text data stream.
Since the original design was based on QTFF, most of the MPEG-4 framework is the same. In the Apple environment (macOS or iOS), these file formats can be used interchangeably. The file format can be changed without the need to re-encode the video. MP4 has the advantage of being able to stream over the Internet, while QTFF does not. Also, MP4 is compatible with most of the operating system platforms and video editing programs. The community around the standard has grown and community opinion has made standard progress across the industry; something that QTFF does not use due to its proprietary nature.
MPEG4 files generally use the .mp4 extension, but may differ depending on the extension used. For example, only an audio file can use the extension .m4a. MPEG4 raw video bitstreams have the extension .m4v. The video file formats used in mobile phones are also developed by MPEG4-12 and use the extensions .3gp and .3g2. Audiobooks use the .m4b extension because changing the code allows the audio file to be marked.
M4V
M4V is a development from a container for MP4 files. It was developed by Apple for iTunes and related product copyright registrations. Since MP4 is based on Apple’s QTFF format, it is reasonable to say that M4V is derived from QTFF.
The structures of MP4 and M4V are practically the same, while Apple’s FairPlay DRM (Digital Rights Management) copyright protection applies to all M4V files. Also, it supports A3C (Dolby audio), which is not the standard audio stream used in MP4 format.
Unsurprisingly, M4V is the main file format used in the iTunes environment. If the file is protected, you can only open it with a licensed version of the Apple product, or you must authorize the computer using Apple iTunes. If the file is not protected, many programs that can open MP4 files can open it.
Due to the proprietary nature of the file format, it can sometimes be difficult to use if proper procedures are followed. It has all the advantages of the MP4 format with the disadvantages of proprietary file formats.
MKV
MKV is a media container format that is a free and open standard. It is named after the Russian nesting dolls and is called the Matroska Multimedia Container. This name is given precisely because of the ability of containers to store any number of data streams in a file. It is a completely open specification, platforms and open source software that are widely supported.
MKV files can contain multiple media streams in a single file. For example, a movie can be encoded in MKV to contain dual language audio tracks in one file. The desired track can be selected during playback. The individual tracks in the media file are saved as separate data lines. Conceptually, this is similar to the MP4 and AVI file formats. Due to this, it is easier to edit and store multimedia files in MKV format and it is convenient to store as much data as possible in a single file.
Many media players for Windows and Mac now support the MKV file format; otherwise, installing a universal codec such as the K-lite codec pack will allow the player to play MKV files.
MP4 vs M4V vs MKV
• MP4 was developed by MPEG ISO, based on QTFF, and is now used as an industry standard. M4V is a derivative of the MP4 format and is developed by Apple for use as a proprietary file format in its products. MKV is a fully open container specification.
• MP4 can include video, audio, text, and other multimedia files in a single file. M4V inherits this property from MP4.
