Convert MKV to FLV Online
Transform your Matroska (MKV) video files into Flash Video (FLV) format with our online conversion tool. MKV is a modern, open-source container supporting any codec, while FLV is a legacy format from the Flash era that may be needed for compatibility with older systems.
How to Convert MKV to FLV
Converting your video files is straightforward. Upload your MKV file using the tool above, and the conversion process begins automatically. The converter processes your Matroska video and generates an FLV file optimized for Flash-based systems. Once complete, download your converted file for use with legacy web platforms or archived Flash applications.
Why Convert MKV to FLV
While FLV is a legacy format no longer recommended for new projects, conversion may be necessary for specific legacy requirements. MKV is a flexible, open-source container that can hold virtually any video or audio codec, making it popular for high-quality video storage. FLV was designed for Adobe Flash Player and is now obsolete for web use since browsers discontinued Flash support. You might need this conversion for archival purposes, legacy system compatibility, or maintaining old Flash-based applications. For modern web use, consider converting to MP4 or WebM instead of FLV.
Video Quality and Compatibility
MKV files can contain high-quality video with various codecs including H.264, H.265, VP9, and more. FLV uses older compression technology optimized for streaming via Flash Player. Converting from MKV to FLV typically results in reduced quality and file size due to FLV's limitations and legacy codecs. FLV has very limited compatibility on modern systems, as browsers no longer support Flash. This conversion should only be used when absolutely necessary for legacy system requirements. For better quality and compatibility, consider MP4 or WebM as alternatives.
Common Use Cases
- Converting videos for legacy Flash-based systems
- Maintaining compatibility with archived Flash applications
- Preparing content for older streaming platforms that require FLV
- Converting videos for legacy e-learning platforms
- Archiving content in FLV format for historical purposes
- Supporting outdated video management systems
Format Comparison
MKV (Matroska) is an open-source, flexible container format that can hold virtually any video or audio codec. It supports advanced features like multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapter markers, making it popular for high-quality video distribution. FLV is a legacy container developed by Adobe for Flash Player streaming with limited codec support and basic features. While MKV offers superior flexibility and quality, FLV is obsolete for modern use. Converting from MKV to FLV is generally not recommended unless required for specific legacy applications. For new projects, keep content in MKV or convert to modern formats like MP4 or WebM.
Technical Conversion Details
MKV files may contain video encoded with H.264, H.265, VP9, or other codecs that FLV doesn't natively support. During conversion, video is transcoded to FLV-compatible H.264 or Sorenson Spark codecs. Audio is converted to MP3 or AAC, which FLV supports. This transcoding process may result in some quality loss compared to the original MKV.
Multiple audio tracks and subtitles in MKV files cannot be preserved in FLV format, which supports only a single audio track and no subtitle streams. If your MKV contains multiple languages or subtitle tracks, select the primary track before conversion or consider using MP4 format which offers better feature support.
Better Alternatives to FLV
For modern video delivery, consider converting MKV to MP4 (H.264/AAC) for maximum device compatibility, or WebM for web streaming. These formats offer better compression efficiency, broader browser support, and are actively maintained. FLV should only be used when specifically required by legacy systems that cannot be updated.