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What is WTV?

Windows Recorded TV (WTV) is a container format for recorded television broadcasts from Windows Media Center.

What is MKV?

MKV (Matroska Video) is a flexible container format that supports virtually any codec, multiple subtitle tracks, and chapter markers.

When Should You Use WTV vs MKV?

Use WTV When...

Reach for WTV when your priority is windows media center recordings, tv capture — its efficient compression makes sharing fast and storage minimal.

Use MKV When...

Reach for MKV when your priority is high-quality video with subtitles and chapters — its efficient compression makes sharing fast and storage minimal.

WTV vs MKV: Key Differences

  • •The core technical difference: WTV relies on lossy compression whereas MKV uses lossy compression.
  • •Neither format changes compression philosophy — both are lossy compression — so any size differences are due to encoding efficiency, not a shift in quality approach.
  • •Alpha channel support: MKV lacks transparency support.
  • •Storage footprint: Large, 2-4GB per hour of HD video for WTV vs Varies greatly depending on content for MKV.
  • •WTV is optimized for windows media center recordings, tv capture while MKV is designed for high-quality video with subtitles and chapters — choose based on your specific workflow needs

Advantages of WTV

  • ✓WTV applies lossy compression specifically calibrated for Windows Media Center recordings, TV capture.
  • ✓WTV enjoys broad native support across operating systems, browsers, and creative tools alike.
  • ✓WTV delivers impressive compression ratios, shrinking files dramatically while keeping visual quality high.
  • ✓You will find WTV support built into virtually every tool that handles Windows Media Center recordings, TV capture — no plugins or converters needed.

Advantages of MKV

  • ✓MKV uses lossy compression tailored for High-quality video with subtitles and chapters.
  • ✓MKV is supported natively on virtually every device, browser, and operating system.
  • ✓MKV files are compact and quick to transfer, even over slow connections.
  • ✓MKV integrates seamlessly with all major creative tools and workflows.

Common Use Cases for WTV to MKV Conversion

  • Video resumes
  • Conference presentations
  • Training tutorials
  • Customer testimonial videos
  • Streaming and online sharing
  • Professional video editing

Industry Applications

Sports AnalyticsVirtual RealitySecurity SystemsAdvertisingContent CreationFilm Production

Best Practices for WTV to MKV Conversion

  • →For WTV to MKV: encode at the target platform's native resolution — upscaling or downscaling adds unnecessary artifacts
  • →Test a short clip before converting the entire WTV file — this confirms MKV settings produce acceptable quality
  • →MKV is widely supported but choose bitrate carefully to balance quality and file size
  • →Use constant bitrate (CBR) for streaming delivery and variable bitrate (VBR) for archival storage
  • →Keep the original file in case you need to re-encode with different settings
  • →Check audio sync after conversion — container changes can sometimes cause drift

Related Article

Video Compression Guide: Reduce File Size Without Losing Quality

Learn more about WTV and MKV formats in our detailed guide.

Troubleshooting WTV to MKV Conversion

  • !MKV won't play on target device → check codec compatibility (H.264 has broadest support)
  • !Audio out of sync after WTV to MKV conversion → try re-muxing with a different container format
  • !MKV quality is too low → increase the bitrate; for 1080p video, 8-15 Mbps is recommended
  • !File size increased converting WTV to MKV → lossless or higher-bitrate outputs naturally produce larger files

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Convert WTV to MKV Online - Free & Fast

Convert WTV files to MKV online for free. High-quality conversion with no registration required.

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.wtv,.WTV (max 100MB)

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About WTV and MKV

WTV

WTV (WTV recordings) - Windows Recorded TV, recorded television broadcast format. Best for windows media center recordings, tv capture.

MKV

MKV (MKV videos) - Matroska container with advanced subtitle and chapter support. Ideal for high-quality video with subtitles and chapters.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossy → Lossy
TransparencyN/A
Use CaseConvert from windows media center recordings, tv capture to high-quality video with subtitles and chapters
File Size~Varies greatly depending on content after conversion

FAQs

Is converting WTV to MKV free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of WTV to MKV for files up to 100MB. No registration required.

How long does it take to convert WTV to MKV?

Most WTV to MKV conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is MKV best used for?

MKV is ideal for high-quality video with subtitles and chapters. Matroska container with advanced subtitle and chapter support

What file size should I expect after converting WTV to MKV?

File size after WTV to MKV conversion depends on the content complexity and quality settings. Both formats use similar compression approaches so sizes are comparable.

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80%
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