3 Best Ways to Convert MKV to DVD format [Windows & Mac]

To convert MKV to DVD, follow these simple steps:

  1. Download, install, and launch the app.

  2. Add your MKV video.

  3. Adjust the conversion settings.

  4. Convert the files.

Edited by Ben Jacklin
27,353

Key takeaways

  • After trying out all these converters, they really stuck with me. Movavi Video Converter ended up being my all-around favorite – it’s quick, has handy AI tools, and even throws in some simple editing features that save time. HandBrake is the one I reach for when I want total control and serious file compression, though it definitely takes some patience to learn. And Freemake is a good option if you just want something easy and straightforward, even if the free version does slap on a watermark.
  • What I noticed while testing is that no single tool does everything perfectly. Some programs are insanely fast but don’t give you many ways to tweak your video. Others let you adjust every little detail (formats, codecs, resolutions) but can feel overwhelming if you’re just trying to convert one clip for your phone.
  • The choice really depends on your priority: if you value speed and ease, go for Movavi; if you’re a tinkerer who wants total control, HandBrake is the one; if you’re on a budget and don’t mind watermarks, Freemake does the job.
  • A quick pro tip from me: always preview your video before finalizing the conversion. It sounds obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I caught an off-center subtitle or wrong resolution just in time.
  • And one more: if the software has AI features (like automatic upscaling, noise removal, or subtitle embedding), don’t sleep on them, I found they save a ton of time and effort, especially when dealing with larger libraries or older, lower-quality files.

Ever notice how some of your favorite movies or old home videos just feel better when they’re on a disc? Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s the satisfying click of the tray closing, but for me, there’s something special about holding a physical copy of footage in my hands. I’ve been knee-deep in an MKV to DVD converter research lately, testing everything I could get my hands on, and now I can tell you: not all of them make turning an MKV into a proper DVD disk as painless as you’d hope. Some are fast but messy, others are sleek but too limited. After running a whole lineup of apps through my own footage (and a couple of embarrassing family clips), I pulled together the best tools that actually get the job done when you want to burn MKVs onto a disc and kick back with a DVD or Blu-ray player.

My top picks

  • Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
    Out of everything I tested, this one hit the sweet spot – fast, reliable, packed with AI tools, it’s the kind of software that feels like it’s on your side.
  • Best for beginners: Freemake
    Freemake isn’t perfect – that watermark in the free version still bugs me – but if you’re new to this, it’s about as straightforward as it gets.
  • Best for customization: HandBrake
    HandBrake has a bit of a learning curve, but if you’re the type who wants to tweak every setting (and don’t mind tinkering), this one’s your playground.

Program

Best for

OS

Download

Fast encoding with no watermark

Windows 7/8/10/11
Mac OS X 10.13 and later

Converting videos and burning discs on Windows

Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11

Converting files and basic editing

Windows 10 and later
Mac OS X and later
Linux

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Here’s what Movavi’s team does to provide you with verified information:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All the products covered in this article have been tested by our team.

  • When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

Way #1 – How to convert MKV to DVD with Movavi Video Converter

Movavi Video Converter

Best for: high-speed and high-quality conversions with lots of additional functions

  • Why I picked it

    It struck me as the most reliable all-around choice with no drama, just consistent results every single time.

  • Operating system

    Windows, macOS

Movavi Video Converter is a multipurpose media converter. It can convert almost any video to DVD and vice versa. The app also has tools to edit out undesirable parts of the video and enhance it with filters. I liked how simple it was to cut out the parts I didn’t need, and the filters seemed very effective. You can also acquire subtitles for any movie using the built-in subtitle searcher and embedder. This function was really useful, and I enjoyed the fact that it worked smoothly. Another thing I found great is that the program includes AI tools, which really helped me save a lot of time and effort while working with my files.

Step 1. Installing the MKV-to-DVD converter

Movavi Video Converter is available for Windows 7 and above, as well as Mac OS X and later. Download and run the installation file, then follow the installer’s instructions.

Step 2. Adding MKV files

Press the Add Media button in the upper-left corner. A drop-down menu will appear. Choose the Add video option and select the videos you want to convert and record on a disc. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the files directly into the program window.

Step 3. Adjusting the conversion settings

Open the Video tab and select DVD-Compatible Video. Pick a preset for the standard and the quality that fits your needs. PAL and NTSC options are supported. Click the Cogwheel icon to adjust parameters, such as aspect ratio, bitrate value, and resolution.

Step 4. Converting the videos

Click the Save to button before converting and specify the folder where the result files will be stored. Hit the Convert button, and the program will create DVD-videos from your MKVs.

Step 5. Burning the files to DVD (optional)

Once your files are converted to a DVD-player format, the folder containing the files will open up automatically. In order to burn those files to a disc, you can use Movavi Video Suite – a software bundle designed for video-making and -editing tasks of all kinds. The bundle includes an MKV-to-DVD converter, a DVD burner, an ISO-image maker, online resources, and other useful tools.

Get Movavi Video Suite

Congrats! Now you know how to convert MKV to DVD with our tools!

Ratings

Pros:

  • High-speed conversion

  • Supports all popular formats

  • Built-in editing functions

Way #2 – How to convert MKV file to DVD with Freemake

Freemake

Best for: beginners or those looking for video compressor freeware that offers a wide range of features

  • Why I picked it

    I loved how easy it was to get started evoiding confusing menus or hidden settings, I could just dive right in.

  • Operating system

    Windows only (including Windows 8, Windows 10)

This encoder can also convert your files quickly and easily, and it has no limitations on video file size or length. I found this particularly impressive, since I could convert long movies without any problem. This means you can convert video or even process your entire family's archives into a single film. However, the trial version has certain limitations: it adds a Freemake intro and watermark to your film, and it only works with Windows OS – not great, especially the intro, which felt intrusive.

The Freemake converter supports all popular formats including MP4, AVI, MKV, and more. Supporting codecs: H.264, H.265 (HEVC), MPEG4, AAC, AV1. The wide format support seemed great to me and made the tool much more versatile.

Download Freemake

How to burn MKV to DVD with Freemake:

  1. Download and run the installer. To complete the setup, follow instructions on your screen.
  2. Run the program when installation is done.
  3. Click the +Video button to add the MKV videos you want to convert to DVD.
  4. Click to DVD and set your DVD drive. You can either use the default settings or change the aspect ratio, video system, and other parameters.
  5. Insert a blank DVD to be burned and click Convert to run the process.

Ratings

Pros:

  • No audio compression

  • Batch conversion support

Cons:

  • The free version has a watermark and adds a Freemake intro

Way #3 – How to convert MKV to DVD with HandBrake

HandBrake

Best for: those looking for free, open-source MP4 video compression software for a PC or Mac. While beginners should have no issues carrying out simple conversions, the more advanced features are probably best suited to those with some experience.

  • Why I picked it

    I was genuinely impressed with how flexible it is, effortlessly handling pretty much any format I threw at it.

  • Operating system

    Windows (including Windows 10), macOS, and Linux

HandBrake is a well-known open-source freeware. It supports a wide range of video formats and has built-in presets for common devices, such as iPhone and PlayStation. I liked the variety of presets because they made the process faster. It can keep file quality while reducing the size, I actually saved a lot of space without losing visible quality. However, its advanced functions may be difficult to understand for beginners. Personally, I felt the interface was a bit overwhelming at first, it took me some time to get used to it. Handbrake supports 720p, 1080p, and 4K resolutions. This is just excellent, I could work with high-definition videos without problems.

Download HandBrake

How to convert MKV to DVD with HandBrake:

  1. Download the app from the HandBrake website and install it on your machine.
  2. Choose the files you want to convert to DVD in the HandBrake Source window and click Open.
  3. Choose a location to store your completed conversions.
  4. Click Output Setting or Format to select a DVD file format for converting your files.
  5. Click Start or Start encode to begin the conversion.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Variety of built-in presents

  • A set of video filters

  • Completely free and without watermarks

Cons:

  • Occasional glitches are reported

  • Has a noticeable learning curve

How to choose the best MKV to DVD converter

Finding the right MKV-to-DVD converter isn’t about hunting down some “perfect” program, it’s about picking the one that actually makes your life easier. After messing around with a bunch of options, I’ve seen that each has its own sweet spot. Movavi Video Converter is my reliable workhorse: it’s smooth, polished, and packed with features that actually save you time instead of creating extra headaches. Freemake is great if you just want to drag, drop, and burn without overthinking it. As for HandBrake, well, it might look intimidating at first, but for anyone who loves fiddling with every little setting, it’s basically a playground.

The trick is to think about what you actually want from a converter you use. Do you want full control over every setting, or do you just need something that gets the job done fast? Are you okay with a learning curve, or do you want instant results? Once you know that, pick the converter that matches your style, and suddenly, creating DVDs becomes less of a chore and more of a small victory you’ll actually want to show off.

Movavi Video Converter

The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!

Movavi Video Converter

Frequently asked questions

Can a DVD player play MKV files?

Unfortunately, no. If you wish to play an MKV-video on a DVD player, you'll need to convert it to another format, and then use third-party software to burn the movies to a DVD.

Can an MKV file be burned to DVD?

There is a variety of free software that allows burning MKV and other video files to a DVD. Here are some of the best MKV-to-DVD converters:

  • Movavi Video Converter

  • Freemake

  • HandBrake

How do I burn MKV files to DVD?

There are plenty of programs that will let you transfer videos to the DVD format. However, we recommend Movavi Video Converter. Install this simple yet effective tool and follow the steps below:

  1. Click on Add Media.

  2. Select Add video and choose the MKV files you want to convert.

  3. Open the Video tab and select the appropriate preset from the DVD-Compatible Video group.

  4. Adjust your conversion settings by selecting the quality you want.

  5. Click the Save to button to decide where you want to save your converted files.

  6. Click on the Convert button.

  7. If you want to burn MKV files to disc, use Movavi Video Suite.

How to convert MKV to DVD: Video guide

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