Players for mkv files. How to open a MKV file? Codecs and built-in player

MKV files are video files. Most often they record videos and feature films. To figure out what this format is, how to play MKV, what programs are suitable for this, an article was written.

MKV- history of origin and characteristics of the format

Files in the MKV format are multimedia containers of an open large project called Matroska video. was developed by domestic programmers to compete with the most common AVI video format. The format received the name “Matryoshka” because, like the Russian traditional toy, it has a similar structure with attachments. Essentially, MKV is a container, that is, a package in which analog information is placed, converted into a digital format using codecs. That is, the MKV container, as an archiver, contains video, audio tracks (of which there may be several), service information and subtitles.

MKV has gained popularity in the anime community. Typically, files with the MKV extension are high-quality videos. The format is very convenient and has a lot of useful functions. Such as, for example, audio tracks that can be switched. It is possible to broadcast via the Internet, fast rewind the video, and split the file into chapters. MKV supports subtitles and several types of video and audio codecs. MKV is easy to edit. It is convenient to work with subtitles that switch literally on the fly. If you don’t know how to play MKV, it’s better to turn to multimedia players that support various video files.

Video player programs

A large number of video players are suitable for playing MKV files. Among the most popular, we can mention such programs as Media Player Classic, Light Alloy, VLC, CyberLink PowerDVD, KMPlayer and others. So the question of how to play MKV can find a fairly simple solution.

Media Player Classic is a media player that supports all the most famous audio and video formats, as well as image files. CyberLink PowerDVD is a multimedia player designed to play DVDs. Among all-in-one media players, CyberLink PowerDVD is one of the best. It plays formats from home video to HD movies with equally good quality. The player is fully adapted to the latest technologies and any formats. This way it plays Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs. When choosing how to play MKV, you can opt for the video and audio player Media Player Classic, which is distributed freely for Windows. The program supports formats such as MKV (for storing vector graphics and video), avi (the most common video format). VLC is a simple and very convenient player. It plays audio and video files of any format, including MKV. There is a version of this program for the Linux operating system. In addition to all of the above, there is another program that can open files in the MKV format. This is a Nero program. It is a versatile tool specially designed for copying, creating and burning DVDs and CDs.

The only problem that anyone who wants to watch the video will face is the lack of the necessary codecs. The need for them may arise if old players are installed on your computer that are unsuitable for playing the MKV format. The way out of this situation may be as follows: download codecs to your computer or install free multimedia players that can play MKV and other common video file formats. When choosing the right codecs for the MKV format, you need to think about what features of the format will be in demand. Limiting yourself to only playing files, you can install Matroska Splitter. In order to take advantage of all the advantages provided by the format, you must have the entire set of codecs, which is called Matroska USSR. If your goal is not only to purchase codecs to solve the problem, than to play MKV, but also other formats, then the K-Lite Codec Pack will be optimal.

If you have not had to deal with such a multimedia format as .mkv until now, then before playing it on your PC, you will need to download mkv player, since it is most suitable for reproducing the above format with high quality. After all, as practice shows, not all common programs will be able to correctly open and play MKV files.

MKV Player is a simple and convenient player in Russian for playing video, which has modest technical parameters and is not at all demanding on computer resources. The developers have endowed it with a simple and concise interface, which is literally understandable on an intuitive level - all the necessary functions are activated in just a couple of mouse clicks.

You can download the Russian version of MKV Player for free from our website. Further, after successful installation, the system will automatically associate all file formats available for it (including *.mkv), which in turn can be launched with one click.

Automatic installation of codecs

Separately, it is worth noting that MKV Player can be configured for special playback of streaming video. Although most users will use only a basic set of its options, namely: normal playback, including full-screen mode, and scrolling. And yet, if necessary, the user can change the video playback speed, delay subtitles, and the like.

As you browse through content that interests you, you can share your fun and educational finds with your friends on social networks. To do this, it will be enough to take a regular screenshot using the player and post it on your page. You can also experiment with the current subtitles by making your own creative changes to them using a special program option.

Even if you don’t yet have a very powerful personal computer, you shouldn’t be afraid that downloading the MKV Player you need will make it work slower. For normal functioning of the program, only 256 MB of free RAM and a simple processor operating at a modest, by today's standards, frequency of 800 MHz will be enough.

Comparison with analogues

The most common problem that prevents users from opening this file is an incorrectly assigned program.

To fix this in Windows OS, you need to right-click on the file, in the context menu, hover the mouse over the “Open with” item, and select “Select a program...” from the drop-down menu. As a result, you will see a list of installed programs on your computer, and you can select the appropriate one. We also recommend checking the box next to “Use this application for all MKV files.”

• Another problem that our users also encounter quite often is that the MKV file is corrupted.
• This situation can arise in many cases. For example: the file was not downloaded in full as a result of a server error, the file was damaged initially, etc. To resolve this problem, use one of the recommendations:

Try finding the file you need in another source on the Internet. You may have luck finding a more suitable version. Example Google search: "File filetype:MKV" . Just replace the word "file" with the name you want;

Ask them to send you the original file again, it may have been damaged during transmission;: If you use popular video players, you won’t have any difficulties with new video files. Before you start installing anything, it is better to read the article to the end. Most likely, you already have everything installed or need to make settings. Below is a video from which you will learn how to convert MKV format.

This format can be viewed in different players, but you need to configure the codecs so that everything is played back. We will be looking at players to try each, because if you have an old computer, then this format may slow down on your computer, usually with delayed sound.

Note: if you already have any player installed and your computer is not old, then go below.

Players

I would like to note that I did not rate the players because I would not like to impose my opinion. Choose the one you like and install. I will do a short review of players so that you don’t think about the question - how to open mkv.

The first video player that we will consider in this article is KMPlayer, which was developed by guys from Korea. Most users believe that there is no better program and there never will be. But as practice confirms, sometimes exceptions happen 😉 . I used this player, so feel free to install it if you like it.

Number two we have is GOM Player. I have used this player very little, so I can’t say anything about this player. You can install it on your computer and evaluate the player yourself.

An honorable third place in our list is occupied by Light Alloy, which means light alloy. This program feels great on a weak “office” computer. Sometimes when viewing a large video file, the player may feel unwell.

At the beginning of the article I said that you don’t need to install anything! Here's why: you can open mkv in the standard player that comes with Windows. This is exactly what I will talk about in the next chapter of this article.

To play a video on a computer or laptop, you don’t need a very sophisticated player. I have 3-4 players installed on my PC and laptop, but I usually use Media Player Classic, which comes with codecs.

Codecs and built-in player

So, above I looked at several players so that you don’t have a question about how to watch mkv. If you have problems opening the mkv file in any player, then let's configure/install codecs. Now we will install the K-Lite Codec Pack - codecs that have a simple player for reading different video formats.

If you are not familiar with the concept of codecs and have no idea what function they perform in Windows, then read the article on the blog: “”. This information is required reading for users who have just begun to master the computer. Also in this article I told you how you can install codecs; if you do everything according to the instructions, then you will no longer have the question of how to open a mkv file on your computer.

First, download the codecs and install them. To do this, go to the developers website. Then go down a little and in the “Full” line, click “Download Full” on the right.

To download codecs, you can use different mirrors where these codecs are located.

For example, I'll select the first mirror. On the page that opens, click “Click Here To Download”.

After downloading, open the codec installation file. Click Next.

In the next window, leave everything as default and click “Next”.

In the next window you will be asked to select a profile; for a regular user you don’t need to change anything, just click “Next”.

By checking the box in the next window, data about codecs will not be added. There is no point in changing anything, so we click “Next”.

So, now we go down to the bottom of the page and uncheck the box so that the developers’ site does not open after installation.

In the next window you can specify additional information about the “Decoding Method”; if you are confused, then leave it as is, and in the future you can change these settings if you need it.

Note: if you have an old computer that slows down when playing videos, then you might want to consider this setting. If the computer has normal characteristics, then this is not necessary. This is what the developers say!

At this stage, you select the player that will be associated with the video files.

Click “Install” and the installation of codecs will begin.

After installing the codecs, now you will not have problems opening this file. By the way, you can also use VLC player. It is really a very good player and if you have problems opening files, for example mov, then this program will cope with such files in no time. You may ask why you need to install another player, because there is no difference, since the codecs are the same! But no!

This player has built-in codecs! That is, even if your computer does not have codecs, you can view video files through it. We used this player to open video files when I worked in television. So be sure to install it and you will have a choice, if your codecs do not open some video file, then you can open it through VLC.

A small conclusion. You don't need to install many players! You just need to install the one you like best and that’s it. It's all about codecs. If codecs are not installed on your computer or laptop, then you will have problems opening video files. If your computer or laptop has weak characteristics, but you need to watch a video file with the mkv extension, then install several players and it is possible that the video will not freeze while watching.

Some users asked me how to open a mkv file, now I think it has become clear that the main thing is the installed codecs on your system.

Enjoy watching!

If your player or TV does not read MKV files, then you can do the conversion:

MKV-player is a utility for playing files in the MKV format. Supports other video and audio extensions. There is a familiar timeline and control keys, which do not look like symbols, but are replaced with characteristic inscriptions.

Features of MKV-player

While playing audio or video files, the program allows you to slow down or speed up playback and customize subtitles: change their size and tempo, or edit the text itself.

It is possible to change file associations; there is a search for the necessary files in the program playlist. Support for “hot keys” speeds up work with the utility; you can view them in the “Keyboard Help” menu.

Utility functions

Allows you to play very high quality videos. If the player cannot play a clip or music recording, other codecs can be downloaded. There is a useful function for restoring damaged media files, which most other players lack.

Advantages

• the presence of many built-in codecs, which eliminates the need for lengthy program setup;
• allows you to create screenshots;
• you can watch DVD videos;
• clear and simple interface;
• the ability to change subtitles while playing a file;
• built-in equalizer that allows you to fine-tune the sound;
• very low system requirements - single-core processor 900 megahertz and 256 megabytes of RAM;
• plays streaming video;
• You can create many playlists.

Flaws

• During installation, programs are loaded that can negatively affect the speed of the entire system.
• MKV-player persistently requires SMS activation, this can be ignored;
• slow speed;
• availability of worthy alternatives on the market;
• Sometimes high decoding files play back with a delay.