Convert MKV to MP4 for Xbox 360 (Easiest Method)

This article shows how to easily convert MKV files to MP4 files fully ready for Xbox 360 playback with as little re-encoding as possible to preserve quality. GotSent will automate a process that usually involves using several applications to extract streams from MKV files, change h264 stream characteristics, encode to AAC audio, mux as MP4 etc. Basically put, this is the easiest method and it works the vast majority of the time.

Introduction & Requirements
GOTSentObviously you will need to download and install GOTSent Fall 2007 Media UpdateIn the Fall of 2007, Microsoft released a media update for the Xbox 360 console to improve multimedia support. If you did not get this update yet, but you do have Xbox Live, then before this guide is over you will most likely have updated your Media capabilities. This update is Optional but highly recommended.Nero AAC Encoders (Optional)These are optional but recommended. You extract the encoder into the GotSent folder and it produces higher AAC audio quality. Haali Media Splitter Haali Media Splitter must be installed.AC3FilterAC3Filter is used during the process.WinRARYou need WinRAR to extract files from some of these downloads.

Xbox 360 MP4 Support
The Xbox 360 supports the MP4 container and several video and audio streams inside. The most important support is for H.264/AVC which is what most MKV files today contain. It supports AAC audio but not multi-channel. It does support XviD and DivX video inside the MP4 container also. Because MKV files often have AVC or XviD video streams, re-encoding is not always needed and so the process of converting MKV to MP4 can actually be very fast when armed with a tool like GOTSent.

Recommended: What will Xbox 360 play?

Download and open GOTSent archive

The first thing you need to do is open the GOTSent RAR file in WinRAR. If you have never used WinRAR before just install it and then .RAR files will automatically be associated with it. You will see that inside the archive is a bunch of files and folders.

What you must do now is go somewhere, anywhere on your HDD and create a folder called GOTSent.

Extract GOTSent files to Folder

Now using WinRAR, drag and drop the files and folders (CTRL + A to select all) into the GOTSent folder you just created so that it looks similar to the photo supplied with this text. Remember where you have put this folder for later use. It is good to keep all tools of this sort in the same directories so that you can easily find them when needed.

Download and open Nero AAC Encoders archive (optional)

Now download the Nero AAC files if you want to have the highest possible quality audio output. It is hugely unlikely that the MKV file that you input will have AAC audio (Stereo AAC LC at that) in it therefore GOTSent has no choice but to re-encode. The ZIP file that you download from Nero's site will open in WinRAR, and it has four files in it, neroAacTag.exe, neroAacEnc_SSE.exe, neroAacEnc.exe and neroAacDec.exe.

The neroAacEnc_SEE.exe file is specifically for computers that have processors that support SEE2. If your Intel or AMD64 chip does support SEE2, then that's the file we are looking for. If not (or if unsure), then neroAacEnc.exe is what we are looking for.

Extract Nero AAC Encoder into GOTSent Folder

Using WinRAR again, drag and drop the encoder files from the ZIP archive into the same folder that you put your GOTSent files.

Launch GOTSent application

Launch GOTSent for the first time, it is GOTSent_023.exe (version number may be changed by time you read this). It is an easy program to understand; had two input fields, one for input MKV, one for output folder (for MP4 file), allows you to select audio if there is multiple and several other options.

Load MKV file and Change Settings

To load an MKV file into GOTSent simply click File and use the file browser that pops up to find the MKV file you want to convert. You also must set an Output folder, you can do this by clicking Set Output and locating the folder with the browser that pops up. Next check to see if there is multiple audio with the drop-down box under Audio detected and select the language you want (with one audio track you will often just see und).

Make sure to select Split > 4GB as there is a size limit of 4GB for MKV files on Xbox 360. Fit to DVD is your choice. Before we begin conversion, we have to make sure that the audio that comes out is not multi-channel (unsupported by Xbox 360). Click AC3Filter Options.

AC3Filter Options

Based on the settings you put into AC3Filter, the conversion process will either create two-channel or multi-channel audio. Under Output format, change it to 2/0 - stereo to ensure compatibility of the output MP4 file with Xbox 360. When you are done, click Apply and click OK.

Conversion Process

Click the Convert button to begin the conversion process. Several DOS windows will pop-up during the process, do not close these as they are important. The amount of time the process will take depends entirely on the length of the MKV file and the speed of your computer.

Further Reading

When you get your MP4 file output, if you are not sure how to play the resulting file on the Xbox 360 console, then check out the link below.

Credits: AfterDawn.com: Guides: Convert MKV to MP4 for Xbox 360 (Easiest Method)