MKV to XviD Converter

Convert MKV to Xvid Online

Re-encode a Matroska (MKV) video to the Xvid codec for playback on older DivX-Certified DVD players, car head units, and set-top boxes that list "Xvid" or "DivX" on the box but won't touch H.264 or H.265. One distinction matters before you start: Xvid is a codec, not a container — the output here is Xvid (MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP) video with MP3 audio, wrapped in an AVI file. Going from a modern MKV to Xvid is a step backward in codec generations, so expect the file to look softer or grow larger at matched quality. If your target is a phone, browser, or any TV made in the last decade, use MKV to MP4 instead — it keeps the modern codec and plays nearly everywhere.

MKV (Matroska) Format at a Glance

Xvid Codec at a Glance

How to Convert MKV to Xvid

1. Upload Your MKV File: Drag and drop your MKV onto the page or click "+ Add Files" to select it. Batch upload is supported — every file gets the same Xvid settings.
2. Pick a Quality Preset or File-Size Target: The default is File Compression with the Quality Preset set to Very High (Recommended) — a sensible MPEG-4 ASP target for legacy hardware. Switch to Specific file size to hit an exact MB number, Constant Bitrate for predictable per-minute size, or Variable Bitrate to let the encoder spend more bits on busy scenes.
3. Set Resolution and Trim (Optional): Use Video resolution to keep the original size, scale by percentage, or pick a preset — standalone players generally cap out at 720x576, so downscale anything above 720p. Use Trim → Time Range to drop intros before encoding.
4. Convert and Download: Click "Convert" and grab each Xvid AVI individually or as a ZIP. No sign-up, no watermark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is converting modern MKV to Xvid a step backward?

Because you're moving from a newer codec to an older one. Most MKV files hold H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP9, or AV1 video — codec generations newer and more efficient than Xvid's MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP. Re-encoding to Xvid throws away that efficiency: at the same visual quality the Xvid file is larger, and at the same file size it looks softer, with more blocking on fast motion. There is no way to gain quality going this direction. The only reason to do it is compatibility — a specific player that reads Xvid-in-AVI but refuses your MKV.

Does the output keep my MKV subtitles and chapters?

No. Subtitle tracks, chapter markers, and any extra audio tracks beyond the one selected are features of the Matroska container, and the AVI container the Xvid video lands in does not carry them the same way. If subtitles matter, either burn them in beforehand or keep the file as MKV/MP4. This loss is one more reason to prefer MKV to MP4 unless a legacy player is forcing your hand.

What actually plays an Xvid AVI file?

Software-wise, VLC, MPC-HC, and most desktop players decode Xvid out of the box, so on a computer you'd rarely need this conversion. The point of making an Xvid file is hardware: standalone DVD/Blu-ray players, car head units (Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, Alpine), and set-top boxes from roughly 2003–2012 that carry a "DivX Certified" or "Xvid" badge read Xvid-in-AVI off a USB stick or data disc. Those same units commonly reject H.264 MP4 and MKV — which is exactly when this conversion earns its place.

What resolution and bitrate keep an Xvid file compatible with old DVD players?

Most standalone players from the DivX era expect standard-definition video: keep the resolution at or below 720x576, and hold the video bitrate under about 2,000 kbps. Many of these chipsets also can't decode advanced ASP features such as Quarter Pixel (QPel) or Global Motion Compensation (GMC), so a plain encode is safer than a maximally optimized one. Files over 2 GB can trip older players too. In our testing, a 90-minute SD source encoded at 1,000 kbps video plus 128 kbps MP3 audio lands comfortably under a 700 MB CD-R.

Is Xvid still free to use without licensing fees?

Yes. Xvid ships under the GPL v2, and its last US patents expired in November 2023, with only Brazil still holding any. The underlying MPEG-4 Part 2 patents have also largely lapsed. For an encoder operator that means no royalty obligation — one of the few practical advantages Xvid retains over H.264, whose patent pool is still active.

Should I just convert to MP4 instead?

For almost any device made since around 2010, yes — H.264 in MP4 is smaller at equal quality and plays nearly everywhere, so MKV to MP4 is the better default. Choose Xvid in one specific situation: your playback target is older hardware that lists DivX/Xvid support and either refuses or stutters on modern codecs. If you're unsure, try a short MP4 first and fall back to Xvid AVI only if it fails. To shrink an existing MKV without changing its codec, use Compress MKV instead.

How are my files handled, and how long do you keep them?

Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically a few hours after conversion. There's no sign-up, no watermark, and your files are never shared or made public.