Converting MKV to WTV with the latest DVRMSToolbox
by Michael Healy @ 9:30 am on October 28th, 2009 in converting files, dvrmstoolbox with 30 Comments
Using the latest version of DVRMSToolbox from Andy VT we can easily convert an MKV file to the new WTV format thanks to the inclusion of an updated todvrms program. Why would we want to do this? Well, for those who use Windows 7 Media Center exclusively for watching movie content it means ultimate compatibility. Converting to the WTV format for those who use Media Center exclusively means full fast forward and reverse support, no more codec packages and all the other features supported by the native format. The downside, of course, is limited support at this point for the format in other popular media players. For those concerned only with the best Media Center experience, however, this may be the best way forward.
To get started download and install the latest version of DVRMSToolbox which includes the new todvrms and a profile to convert MKV TV shows to WTV. Since we’re converting movies and not TV shows we’ll need a profile as well, download this premade profile and extract it to your profiles directory under C:\Program Files\DVRMSToolbox\Profiles or create your own by opening the DVRMSToolbox settings program. Select the Convert MKV TV Show to WTV profile and press the New Profile From button.
Then give your profile a name and description and remove the extra methods that aren’t needed for our simple conversion. Since we don’t need to retrieve and save TV series metadata we can remove most of the existing profile. Those experienced with DVRMSToolbox can add other actions such as removing the original file and moving the file to an alternate location at this point as well. Save your profile and close the settings application.
Now that we have a profile to do our conversion open up the DVRMSToolbox GUI program to get started with the conversions. Determine whether you’d like to process a single file or a complete directory and select the appropriate tab. Select the proper input and output files/directories and our new profile from the dropdown box and hit run. Simple as that the profile should start converting our MKV to a more Media Center compatible WTV.
It’s also possible to run the entire operation from the command line though the DVRMSToolbox GUI provides a graphical interface that most uses will find much easier to use. Once the conversion has completed, that’s all there is to it. You can now open your movie inside Windows 7 Media Center with full support of the built-in codecs including Dolby Digital audio and audio support on first level fast forward. No more fussing with codec packages and settings.
Remember, there is slim support for the WTV format from third-parties at this point however and if you’re accustomed to viewing movies outside Media Center or Windows Media Player you may want to hold off on converting until your favorite third party programs add support for the format. This is likely to be a fairly popular solution for those who are Windows 7 Media Center exclusive however.
