WTF is a .mkv file and how do I make it play on my macbook?

[CorvallisBMW]

I downloaded the Top Gear Winter Special in 1080p to watch, and even VLC is having trouble playing it. WTF is a .mkv file anyway, and why can't I play it with any media player? I've been searching the internets, but so far have found no solutions that work for me. A little help please?

[Danny]

?

[e30sd]

it wont open or it opens and runs slowly?

i use vlc, works fine for me.

[Jean]

MKV are usually (but not always) rips from HD sources. They need higher processing power to playback. VLC plays them, unless your PC specs (cpu/ram) are too low for them.

I use this little box connected to my 1080 lcd with hdmi to play f1/wrc/top gear. Plays .mkv smooth :)

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=572

[DC12k]

MKV is a container for media files usually combined with a compression algorithm like say h264. As said before if it plays too slow it is probably your computer not being able to keep up, or VLC. You can try to play it using the CCCP and media player classic (http://cccp-project.net/) , but I hesitate to think that would actually fix it.

edit: my bad it's a mac.. media player classic is not exactly an option.

There are some tricks involving allowing hard frame dropping and various settings that can help, but really, 1080p isn't really worth the hassle if it won't play right without any tricks. Maybe it's time to go down to 720p :p

[daniel]

MKV are usually (but not always) rips from HD sources. They need higher processing power to playback. VLC plays them, unless your PC specs (cpu/ram) are too low for them.

this.

you really need either a dedicated graphics card or the latest graphics chipset to be able to play HD videos (even many 720p vids) smoothly. the new macbooks and mac minis with the nvidia 9400M chipset plays these perfectly :)

[SaskE30]

This helped me when i downloaded it a few months back.

http://forums.finalgear.com/finalgear-com-news/polar-special-1080p-rip-is-out-20418/

[E30Nova]

My 07/08-ish MacBook plays .mkv's just fine using VLC. :)

Matt

[CorvallisBMW]

ah ha, well my macbook is the original from '06 with an integrated graphics ship, so that's probably the problem. Just not enough processing power. The file does play, but it skips constantly. Oh well :(