How to Convert MKV to DVD with Subtitles in High Quality (Free Included)

Rosa Reyes
May 12, 2022 Preview 10.1K Preview 0
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Owning a collection of MKV movies, and want to watch them on your TV, a standard DVD player, or Plex? This tutorial will show you how to convert and burn MKV to DVD without quality loss. You can do this on both Windows and Mac computers using free or paid software. And you will also find instructions for choosing a good MKV to DVD converter or burning MKV to Blu ray.

 

Burn MKV to Playable DVD Using Free or Paid ($) Software

It’s pretty easy to make a backup copy of your Matroska file or burn a playable DVD from MKV. There's no shortage of DVD burning software in the app market. Many of them allow you to burn videos, movies, audio, slideshows, and other files to a CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc.

I can’t tell you which is the best tool to convert MKV to DVD. But I can tell you which programs are reliable and workable, which may greatly save your time.

Also, I don't think it's best to rank them strictly 1 through 10. Rather your choice should depend on personal preferences and the features you need.

Features That Must Be Present in a Good MKV to DVD Converter

1. Copy full MKV features to DVD

MKV is a file container that can hold a huge variety of different audio, video, and subtitles inside a single file. When converting MKV to DVD, make sure the original MKV file is maintained and no tracks or other elements are lost.​​​

2. Preserve high quality

MKV supports both H.264 and H.265 codec, delivering high video quality at a good compression rate. A decent MKV to DVD converter will keep high-def video quality of MKV, and redeem the data loss by advanced decoding /encoding method.

3. Fast MKV to DVD burning speed

Well-recognized software must allow batch adding MKV movies for processing. The burning speed ranges from 1x to 24x, depending on imported video size. Generally speaking, the burning time of a 1-hour, 2GB MKV video should be around 30 minutes.

4. Ease of use

It should come with a compact and straightforward interface and a working area to drag and drop videos. You won’t have any issues with navigation.

5. Offer extra features

An ideal MKV to DVD converter will have some more added features, such as free DVD menu templates, real-time preview, TV Standard setting, Aspect Ratio, audio support, etc.

6. Burn MKV to DVD video

Sometimes you may don’t have a DVD disc at hand, so burning MKV to other files like DVD folders (VIDEO_TS & AUDIO_TS) and ISO files will also help.

7. Support major video formats

The app should support popular video formats besides MKV like MP4, AVI, MOV, FLV, iTunes, etc.

8. Support video editing

The presence of a video editor helps to personalize videos is a good feature to have.

The Best MKV to DVD Burner Compared

Talking about the software to create DVD from MKV, Nero and Roxio come first on the list. But the two are not free and can be too expensive for some people. So today, we are going to compare the most popular free and paid app.

In the test, I ran on a 90-minute MKV movie on all the listed apps. In fact, we tried more than 10 apps. But some are too buggy, and we don't want to waste your time on those. Below are the workable MKV to DVD converters in our test. You can choose the one that suits you.

Nero

Developed by Nero AG, Nero Burning ROM is a well know DVD burner that can burn DVD-Video discs and Audio CD discs. Also, if you don't have a blank DVD, you can use it burn MKV to ISO image file. 

With Nero you can easily make a DVD menu template for easily navigation, and the burning speed is really quick, it only takes about 20 minutes to burn a 2 hours long MKV to DVD. 

It have many features, you just need some time to test and learn how to use the app. 

Cisdem DVD Burner 

If you are on Mac, Cisdem DVD Burner is the app that you need to have a try. It can burn video into high quality DVD-Video disc, DVD folder, or ISO file with menu, subtitle, chapter and background music. Also, it is the most easy to use app with no learning curve. 

With this app, you just need to add video files (support burn videos in batch), choose a DVD menu template, add chapters, and then choose a DVD output format and the copie numbers you want to burn. 

This app offers most of the handy feature you need to burn DVD, you can add menu and chapters to easily navigate the DVD, trim video into several clips, add subtile, effects and background music. Also, you can set for which sequnce you want the videos to loop. 

DVD Flick

DVD Flick is a safe and totally free MKV to DVD burner, you can also use it to convert MKV to ISO. 

It supports most of the popular video formats, and users can upload subtitles in SRT, SSA, ASS, or SUB format to DVD. 

For a customize DVD, this app supports create a simple DVD menu. But it hasn't been upgraded for a long time. The latest version is 1.3.0.7 which was released in 2009. 

Burn

Burn is a free and open-source CD and DVD burner for Mac. it has a minimalist and very simple interface. 

With Burn you can choose to burn a data DVD, CD, Video DVD or copy a DVD. It supports most of the video formats and the burning speed is really quick.

What to note is that, the burn quality is not that good, be expected to get a 480p DVD and you can't customize the DVD menu.

Toast DVD Burner

Roxio Toast Titanium is the most feature rich DVD burners on the maket. with it you get a CD burner, DVD burner, blu-ray burner, video editor and screen capture all in one. 

You can easily convert MKV to DVD with Roxio Toast, make menus, set copies, but the price ($99.99 without upgrade) is much more expensive than its competitors

Handbrake

Can handbrake convert MKV to DVD? The direct anser is no. you need use handbrake together with a DVD burner software like ImgBurn to burn video to DVD.

iDVD

If you have an older Mac, and have iDVD on your Mac, don't look for other options, iDVD is the best app that will help you make DVD with MKV videos on Mac.

Freemake MKV to DVD Converter 

Freemake MKV to DVD Converter is a free video converter that supports convert video files like MP4, MP3, AVI, MKV, Xvid, MTS, etc., to DVD. 

It has a very simple interface and support editing videos before converting. You can even download and burn video to DVD with this single app.

But be noted that, Freemake will add a watermark to the burned DVD, which is annoying, and it also contains multiple ads, the ads will pop up every time you open the software. 

DVDFab 

DVDFab is another popular software that can convert MKV to Blu-ray, DVD and video files on different platforms. 

It could supports multiple video and audio format, and the converting speed is very fast. it is able to compress the video size which helpes on saving space on your device.

In our test the output DVD only has 480P, and you need to install two apps for the DVD burner to work.

Best DVD Ripper for Mac 2021- DVDFab

Comparison of MKV to DVD Burners for Mac

App Platform Price Pros Cons
Nero Windows 7 and higher $99.95

1. Burn CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs

2. Fast

3. Good Quality

4. Have all needed Functions

1. Expensive and bulky

2. Not easy to handle

3. The interface looks dated

Cisdem DVD Burner macOS 10.12+, Windows 10/11 $49.99

1. Powerful burning

2. Process at high speed

3. Good Quality

4. Easy enough for everyone

Can’t burn CD
DVD Flick Any edition of Windows Free

1. Creates a playable DVD with all basic functions

2. Completely free to use

1. On the test the audio is about 1/3 speed, making the whole thing quite useless

2. Have to convert the video to Mp4 then burn to DVD which gives medium quality

3. Can’t burn CD

Burn Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher Free Create CD and DVD with most of the basic functions No file editing options
Toast Mac OS X 10.11 and higher $149.99 Flexible program with an array of advanced features Complex interface with multiple options
HandBrake Windows, Mac and Linux Free

1. Convert video from nearly any format

2. Fast Speed

1. Have to work with burning software like ImgBurn to burn video to disc.

2. Quality is not good

iDVD Mac OS X 10.5 – 10.9 Free

1. Pretty good quality

2. Easy to use

3. Built-in app

1. Discontinued in 2011

2. Can’t burn CD

Freemake Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11 Free Conversions are quick and the program supports the burning of over-length video DVDs

1. Add a branding video at the beginning and end of the video

2. Display several adware offers during the installation

3. Don't have customized DVD templates

4. Can’t burn CD

DVDFab Any edition of Windows $24.99

1. Full DVD burning feature set

2. Fast speed

1. Complicated to use

2. Can’t burn CD

3. Don's support making chapters

Based on the test, we find that Cisdem DVD Burner has all the required features. Plus, it gives a very high-quality output DVD. Multiple files can be processed at a time and the speed is fast.

Most of the DVD burners work the same. Here we’ll show you how to burn MKV to DVD Mac with DVD Burner step by step.

Quick summary:
1. Install MKV to DVD Burner
2. Add MKV files
3. Edit DVD videos (Optional)
4. Choose a DVD menu (Optional)
5. Burn MKV to DVD

Step 1. Download MKV to DVD burner

Download MKV to DVD Burner. Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.

Free Download

Step 2. Add MKV videos

Add MKV video to the app by drag-n-drop. You may add bunches of clips of any number or quality.

Burn MKV to DVD on Mac with DVD Burner 01

Note: The amount of MKV videos that can burn to a single DVD depends on the length of your videos and the capacity of your disc. The app will show your the used storage of the new disc at the bottom of its interface.

Step 2. Edit MKV

Click and make editing to MKV files to suit the requirements of your projects. For example, you can switch to the “Subtitle” tab to load the subtitle embedded in the MKV or import external SRT or ASS files.

Burn MKV to DVD on Mac with DVD Burner 02

Step 3. Select DVD template

Select a template that suits your movies from the left panel. Click to pop out the toolbox on the right, you can also import audio tracks and add texts to your menu there.

Burn MKV to DVD on Mac with DVD Burner 03

Step 4. Customize DVD settings and start to burn MKV to DVD

When everything is ready, insert your blank disc into an optical disc drive. Click "Burn" to start the conversion.

Burn MKV to DVD on Mac with DVD Burner 04

Now it’s your turn to try!
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FAQs on Burning MKV to DVD

After writing this article. Some readers have been asking me about the details on creating DVD from MKV and other video files. Since I happened to be working on the DVD burning project recently, I thought I'd whip up FAQs for this.

1. How to choose a blank DVD for burning MKV files?

  DVD±R DVD±RW DVD-RAM
Full name Digital Video Disc Recordable Digital Video Disc Re-Writable DVD Random Access Memory
Recordability Write once Rewritten about 1,000 times Rewritten over 100,000 times
Storage capacity 4.7GB (single-layer) or 8.5GB (dual-layer) 4.7GB 4.7GB (single-sided) or 9.4GB (double-sided) for new version
Speed Fast Faster than DVD±R Quite slow
Compatibility Best Good Not readable by some DVD-ROM drives and standalone DVD players
Price Cheap Costlier than DVD±R Cheaper than DVD±R

There are three types of blank discs: DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM. Most DVD writers can convert MKV to DVD±R or DVD±RW, and the discs can also be played on most DVD hardware. Some older devices might have trouble with the "plus" variants, but they are still a better choice than DVD-ROM.

2. What is the size limit on a DVD? Can I burn my large MKV to a single DVD?

MKV is always in large size, as it can have several videos, audio, and subtitles tracks in one single file. Although each disc has a potential capacity such as 4.7GB, it does not mean that the total size of the MKV videos you put on the disc must smaller than 4.7GB.

Many professional MKV to DVD converters, like Cisdem DVD Burner, can automatically compress large MKV videos to match the size of the disc.

3. Why the MKV I burn to DVD can’t play?

For most people who have this problem, I find that they burn MKV to a data disk instead of a video disc. A DVD data disc can be filled with any kind of date content. Whereas a DVD-Video disc consists of a defined disc format structure that lets you navigate through DVD disc menus and lets you play your files via these disc menus. So, please use the app we recommend above to burn the MKV you have to a DVD video disk that is playable on DVD.

4. I use Handbrake to burn MKV to DVD, but the DVD can’t play on my DVD player.

When using a handbrake to burn a DVD, you could always convert your MKV to DVD-Video, AVCHD, or Blu-ray. Which would allow you to take full advantage of compatibility with your player.

5. I use Burn app to convert MKV to DVD on Mac, it’s super fast, but the DVD has some lags.

In theory, you’ll save time with a fast DVD Burning speed. But in practice, higher speeds can result in unreliable burns. So, you need to change your setting to burn your DVD at 4x or even 2x. This may cut errors.

6. Which TV Standard should I choose?

If you want to play the burned disc in the USA or Canada, you should choose the "NTSC" option. If you are from Europe, Australia, or New Zealand, "PAL" will be the used option.

7. Is there any online free MKV to DVD solution?

No, there are no apps online that can convert and burn MKV to DVD directly. But there are many online sites that can convert MKV to or from other video formats.But I don’t suggest you do so, as online sites are always not safe and all have limits on file size.

Play MKV Files on Standard DVD Players and TV

Can we play MKV on TV or DVD player directly? NO, you can't play it on your DVD player directly since the DVD player only supports MPEG-2 format.

Yet, for some people, chances are that they may don’t need to make DVD from MKV. If all they want is to play MKV files on TV, things are much simple. Use a standalone media player such as WDTV, Roku, etc. to play MKV on your HD or even SD TV. Here is how to do it.

1. Copy the MKV video files to a flash drive or hard drive.

2. Plug the drive into the WDTV or Roku box.

Also, Play MKV files with Streaming

You can also stream MKV to playback on TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and a host of other popular devices. Here is how:

1. First, make sure your computer is connected to the same wifi network as your TV or streaming device.

2. Add your MKV file to your Plex library on your computer. Once you’ve added the movie, it should show in the Plex app on your streaming device. Then, click play!

Final Words

Burn MKV to DVD is no complex than video converting, but many people still putting off doing it. As most of the MKV to DVD tutorials are either outdated or introduce apps that no longer work or are costly.

In fact, some of the DVD burners are completely free to download. You can even burn MKV to DVD with built-in software on your Mac and Windows.

Hope you guys found this useful! Please vote or add your favorite way to create DVD from MKV!

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Rosa Reyes
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Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.

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