The advantages of MP4 video container

MP4 file format is the official filename extension for MPEG-4 Part 14 files is .mp4. MPEG-4 Part 14. It is a multimedia file format used to digitally store audio and video files. MP4 file format is also used for video streaming over the internet. MP4 file format is basically a container which holds audio and video files that are digitally encoded. MP4 file formats contain MPEG-4 AAC LC audio codec.

A container makes things convenient. Having all three important components of video in the same file makes transfer and playback simpler. Instead of having to deal with three files at once, one only needs to deal with one. Due to its versatility in application, MP4 is one of the most used video containers as it capable of delivering the top two streaming protocols of 2019, HLS and MPEG-DASH.

Apple Inc. started using the .m4a filename extension for MP4 containers with audio data in the lossy Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or its own Apple Lossless (ALAC) formats.

Advantages of MP4 File Format 
 * 1) Suitable for video streaming over the internet.
 * 2) Less loss of quality with higher degree of compression.
 * 3) Store data types other than video and audio.
 * 4) MP4 files run  on all the major media players.

MKV is an Extensible Binary Meta Language, was developed as a means to provide a free and open alternative to MP4. MKV is open source, supports higher audio quality, and has more features packed into it. MKV by Matroska an open-standard format created by a passionate video developer and improved upon by the general development community. MKV is open license software that allows the usage for both personal and commercial level. Although Matroska is highly adaptable, many video distributors avoid implementation due to device incompatibility.

MP4 VS MKV  The reality is, both container formats have a very diverse (but similar) set of applications but are ultimately limited by protocols. MKV files require .MKV extension for saving and playing the files efficiently. If you use low-quality audio for your MP4 videos it will sound worse when compared to an MKV video with higher audio quality. MKV and MP4 support high quality H.264 video, but the support for MP4 is more widespread. MP4 files are commonly used for digital audio and video streams. Both these file formats enable the user to experience high quality videos, but still MKV is a much preferred choice.

Device Compatibility MP4 format supports popular devices like iPad, iPod, iPhones and Apple TV. MKV format is supported by Blu-ray disc formats. MP4 is played on a lot of programs like (Apple Quicktime 6, RealMedia, IBM, Samsung, Sony and JVC devices as well. MP4 file formats can be used for playing audio and video files and sharing them over the internet. MP4 formats can be played in Windows Media Player, they need the MPEG-4 decoder packs to decode those encoded videos and AAC.