What You Need to Know About MKVToolNix 8.3.0 | 8.6.0 Final (2015) [Portable]: A Review and Tutorial
MKVToolNix 8.3.0 8.6.0 Final (2015) [Portable]: A Comprehensive Review
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile video editing software that can handle MKV files, you might want to check out MKVToolNix. This is a free and open-source tool that allows you to create, edit, split, merge, extract, and inspect Matroska video files.
MKVToolNix 8.3.0 | 8.6.0 Final (2015) [Portable]
In this article, we will review MKVToolNix 8.3.0 8.6.0 Final (2015) [Portable], which is the latest version available for download as of June 2023. We will cover its features, pros and cons, how to use it, and some alternatives you can try.
What is MKVToolNix and why you need it
MKVToolNix is a set of tools that can work with MKV files, which are a type of multimedia container format that can store video, audio, subtitles, and other data in a single file. MKV files are popular because they can support various codecs, formats, and languages, making them ideal for high-quality online video streaming and distribution.
However, not all media players or devices can play MKV files natively, which means you might need to convert them to other formats or edit them to suit your needs. This is where MKVToolNix comes in handy.
MKVToolNix can help you create new MKV files from different sources, such as video clips, audio tracks, images, or subtitles. You can also edit existing MKV files by adding, removing, or changing tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, or metadata. You can also split or merge MKV files into smaller or larger segments, or extract specific parts of them.
MKVToolNix is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms. It consists of several command-line tools and a graphical user interface (GUI) called MKVToolNix GUI. The portable version of MKVToolNix does not require installation and can be run from a USB drive or any other removable media.
What can you do with MKVToolNix
MKVToolNix offers a range of features that let you manipulate MKV files in various ways. Here are some of the main things you can do with it:
Create new MKV files from different sources using the mkvmerge tool or the GUI.
Edit existing MKV files by adding, removing, or changing tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, or metadata using the mkvpropedit tool or the GUI.
Split or merge MKV files into smaller or larger segments using the mkvmerge tool or the GUI.
Extract specific parts of MKV files, such as video frames, audio samples, subtitles, or attachments using the mkvextract tool or the GUI.
Inspect the structure and content of MKV files using the mkvinfo tool or the GUI.
Modify the header compression of tracks in MKV files using the mkvcompress tool.
Optimize the space usage of tracks in MKV files using the mkvclean tool.
The advantages and disadvantages of MKVToolNix
As with any software, MKVToolNix has its pros and cons. Here are some of them:
Pros
It is free and open-source software that is regularly updated and supported by a large community of users and developers.
It is compatible with various platforms, codecs, formats, and languages, making it a versatile tool for working with MKV files.
It has a simple and intuitive GUI that allows you to perform most tasks with a few clicks. You can also use the command-line tools for more advanced options and automation.
It has a portable version that does not require installation and can be run from any removable media, such as a USB drive or a CD-ROM.
It does not alter the quality or content of the original MKV files, unless you explicitly choose to do so. It preserves the original tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, and metadata of the MKV files.
Cons
It does not support editing or converting other video formats, such as MP4, AVI, or MOV. You will need to use other software for that purpose.
It does not have a built-in video player or preview function. You will need to use other software to play or preview the MKV files before or after editing them.
It does not have a comprehensive documentation or tutorial for beginners. You will need to rely on online resources or forums for help and guidance.
It may have some bugs or compatibility issues with some MKV files or systems. You will need to report them to the developers or look for solutions online.
How to use MKVToolNix: A step-by-step guide
In this section, we will show you how to use MKVToolNix to perform some common tasks with MKV files. We will use the portable version of MKVToolNix 8.3.0 8.6.0 Final (2015) [Portable] for Windows, which you can download from here. You can also use the installed version or the version for other platforms if you prefer.
How to create a new MKV file from different sources
If you want to create a new MKV file from different sources, such as video clips, audio tracks, images, or subtitles, you can use the mkvmerge tool or the GUI. Here are the steps:
Extract the portable version of MKVToolNix to a folder of your choice and run the mkvtoolnix-gui.exe file.
In the GUI, click on the New button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+N to create a new multiplex settings tab.
In the Source files section, click on the Add source files button or press Ctrl+O to browse and select the files you want to add to the new MKV file. You can also drag and drop the files from your file manager.
In the Tracks, chapters and tags section, you can see the details of the tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, and metadata of each source file. You can select or deselect the tracks you want to include in the new MKV file by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also change their properties by clicking on them and editing their fields in the right panel.
In the Output section, you can specify the name and location of the new MKV file by clicking on the Browse button next to the Destination file field. You can also choose some options for splitting, linking, or appending the output file by clicking on the Options button next to it.
When you are done with your settings, click on the Start multiplexing button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+S to start creating the new MKV file. You can see the progress and status of the process in the Job output section at the bottom of the GUI.
When the process is finished, you can find your new MKV file in the destination folder you specified. You can also open it with your preferred media player or software to check its quality and content.
How to edit an existing MKV file by adding, removing, or changing tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, or metadata
If you want to edit an existing MKV file by adding, removing, or changing tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, or metadata, you can use the mkvpropedit tool or the GUI. Here are the steps:
Extract the portable version of MKVToolNix to a folder of your choice and run the mkvtoolnix-gui.exe file.
In the GUI, click on the Open button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+O to browse and select the MKV file you want to edit. You can also drag and drop the file from your file manager.
In the Tracks, chapters and tags section, you can see the details of the tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, and metadata of the MKV file. You can select or deselect the tracks you want to edit by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also change their properties by clicking on them and editing their fields in the right panel.
If you want to add new tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, or metadata to the MKV file, you can click on the Add source files button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+A to browse and select the files you want to add. You can also drag and drop the files from your file manager.
If you want to remove existing tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, or metadata from the MKV file, you can right-click on them and choose Remove from the context menu. You can also press Delete on your keyboard.
When you are done with your edits, click on the Save button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+S to start saving the changes to the MKV file. You can see the progress and status of the process in the Job output section at the bottom of the GUI.
When the process is finished, you can find your edited MKV file in the same folder as the original one. You can also open it with your preferred media player or software to check its quality and content.
How to split or merge MKV files into smaller or larger segments
If you want to split or merge MKV files into smaller or larger segments, you can use the mkvmerge tool or the GUI. Here are the steps:
Extract the portable version of MKVToolNix to a folder of your choice and run the mkvtoolnix-gui.exe file.
In the GUI, click on the New button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+N to create a new multiplex settings tab.
If you want to split an MKV file into smaller segments, click on the Add source files button or press Ctrl+O to browse and select the MKV file you want to split. You can also drag and drop the file from your file manager.
In the Output section, click on the Options button next to the Destination file field. In the pop-up window that appears, go to the Splitting tab and choose one of the options for splitting the file by size, duration, timecodes, or chapters. You can also enter a custom value for the splitting criteria. Click on the OK button to confirm your settings.
If you want to merge multiple MKV files into a larger segment, click on the Add source files button or press Ctrl+O to browse and select the MKV files you want to merge. You can also drag and drop the files from your file manager. Make sure the files have the same number and type of tracks, otherwise the merge will fail.
In the Tracks, chapters and tags section, you can see the details of the tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, and metadata of each source file. You can select or deselect the tracks you want to include in the output file by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also change their properties by clicking on them and editing their fields in the right panel.
In the Output section, you can specify the name and location of the output file by clicking on the Browse button next to the Destination file field. You can also choose some options for splitting, linking, or appending the output file by clicking on the Options button next to it.
When you are done with your settings, click on the Start multiplexing button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+S to start splitting or merging the MKV files. You can see the progress and status of the process in the Job output section at the bottom of the GUI.
When the process is finished, you can find your output file or files in the destination folder you specified. You can also open them with your preferred media player or software to check their quality and content.
How to extract specific parts of MKV files, such as video frames, audio samples, subtitles, or attachments
If you want to extract specific parts of MKV files, such as video frames, audio samples, subtitles, or attachments, you can use the mkvextract tool or the GUI. Here are the steps:
Extract the portable version of MKVToolNix to a folder of your choice and run the mkvtoolnix-gui.exe file.
In the GUI, click on the Extract button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+E to open a new extraction settings tab.
In the Source file section, click on the Browse button or press Ctrl+O to browse and select the MKV file you want to extract from. You can also drag and drop the file from your file manager.
In the Tracks section, you can see the details of the tracks in the MKV file. You can select or deselect the tracks you want to extract by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also specify the name and location of the output files by clicking on the Browse button next to each track.
In the Chapters section, you can see the details of the chapters in the MKV file. You can select or deselect the chapters you want to extract by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also specify the name and location of the output file by clicking on the Browse button next to it.
In the Tags section, you can see the details of the tags in the MKV file. You can select or deselect the tags you want to extract by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also specify the name and location of the output file by clicking on the Browse button next to it.
In the Attachments section, you can see the details of the attachments in the MKV file. You can select or deselect the attachments you want to extract by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also specify the name and location of the output files by clicking on the Browse button next to each attachment.
When you are done with your settings, click on the Start extraction button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+S to start extracting the parts of the MKV file. You can see the progress and status of the process in the Job output section at the bottom of the GUI.
When the process is finished, you can find your output files in the destination folders you specified. You can also open them with your preferred media player or software to check their quality and content.
Other video editing software you can try
If MKVToolNix does not meet your needs or preferences, you can try some other video editing software that can work with MKV files. Here are some of them:
Name
Description
Price
VLC Media Player
A popular and versatile media player that can play, convert, edit, and stream MKV files and other video formats.
Free and open-source
HandBrake
A powerful and easy-to-use video converter that can convert MKV files and other video formats to various devices and platforms.
Free and open-source
Avidemux
A simple and lightweight video editor that can cut, filter, and encode MKV files and other video formats.
Free and open-source
Wondershare Filmora
A professional and user-friendly video editor that can create, edit, enhance, and share MKV files and other video formats with various effects and features.
$69.99 for lifetime license
Adobe Premiere Pro
A leading and advanced video editor that can handle MKV files and other video formats with high-quality output and performance.
$20.99 per month for individual plan
Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a call to action
MKVToolNix is a free and open-source tool that allows you to create, edit, split, merge, extract, and inspect Matroska video files. It has a simple and intuitive GUI that lets you perform most tasks with a few clicks. It also has a portable version that does not require installation and can be run from any removable media.
MKVToolNix is compatible with various platforms, codecs, formats, and languages, making it a versatile tool for working with MKV files. It does not alter the quality or content of the original MKV files, unless you explicitly choose to do so. It preserves the original tracks, chapters, tags, attachments, and metadata of the MKV files.
However, MKVToolNix also has some limitations and drawbacks. It does not support editing or converting other video formats, such as MP4, AVI, or MOV. It does not have a built-in video player or preview function. It does not have a comprehensive documentation or tutorial for beginners. It may have some bugs or compatibility issues with some MKV files or systems.
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile video editing software that can handle MKV files, you should give MKVToolNix a try. You can download it from here and start creating and editing your own MKV files in no time. You can also check out some other video editing software that can work with MKV files, such as VLC Media Player, HandBrake, Avidemux, Wondershare Filmora, or Adobe Premiere Pro.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about MKVToolNix and how to use it. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs: Five frequently asked questions about MKVToolNix
Here are some of the most common questions that people ask about MKVToolNix:
What is the difference between MKVToolNix and MKVToolNix GUI?
MKVToolNix is the name of the whole project that consists of several command-line tools and a graphical user interface (GUI) for working with MKV files. MKVToolNix GUI is the name of the GUI that allows you to use the command-line tools in a more user-friendly way.
How can I update MKVToolNix to the latest version?
If you are using the installed version of MKVToolNix, you can check for updates by clicking on the Help menu and choosing Check for updates. If there is a newer version available, you can download and install it from the official website.
If you are using the portable version of MKVToolNix, you can download the latest version from the official website and extract it to a folder of your choice. You can then run the mkvtoolnix-gui.exe file from there.
How can I contact the developers or report a bug?
If you want to contact the developers or report a bug, you can use one of the following methods:
Email: moritz.bunkus@mbunkus.org
Bug tracker: https://gitlab.com/mbunkus/mkvtoolnix/-/issues
Mailing list: mkvtoolnix-releases@bunkus.org
How can I support MKVToolNix?
If you want to support MKVToolNix, you can do one of the following things:
Donate: You can donate money to the developer via PayPal or Patreon.
Translate: You can help translate MKVToolNix into your language using Transifex.
Review: You can write a review or rate MKVToolNix on various websites or platforms.
Share: You can share MKVToolNix with your friends or family who might find it useful.
Where can I find more information or tutorials about MKVToolNix?
If you want to find more information or tutorials about MKVToolNix, you can visit some of these websites:
Official website: https://mkvtoolnix.download/
Official documentation: https://mkvtoolnix.download/doc/
Official blog: https://www.bunkus.org/blog/
Unofficial wiki: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/MKVToolNix
Unofficial YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcLjxZ1wZwXfZ0y5H6fQOg
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