play MKV video file on PPC Powerbook/PowerMac

[Paul Burns]

Hi,

Is there any software that can play mkv video file withot jerking/lagging in PPC powerbook/powermac?

Thank you for any advice.

Paul

Powerbook Aluminum 17 1 Ghz 2gb RAM 160 HD Mac OS 10.5.8
Powerbook Aluminum 15 1.67 Ghz 2Gb RAM 160 HD Mac OS 10.5.8
PowerMac Quicksilver Dual 1 Ghz 1.5Gb RAM 160 Hd Mac OS 10.5.8
eMac 1.25 Ghz 2Gb RAM 80Gb HD Mac OS 10.5.8

[ElDiabloConCaca]

MKV is simply a container, and can contain any bitrate video track the author chooses... this means that MKV isn't the reason you're experiencing choppiness; rather, the size of the video stream contained in the MKV file.

More than likely, you're trying to play a hi-definition (720 lines of vertical resolution or greater) video file, which requires a lot of processor power to do. Most PPC Mac computers, short of the G5s, do not have this power, or teeter on the fine line between acceptable and unacceptable.

Are you using VLC to play the files?

[Paul Burns]

Yes. you are absolutely right. I use VLC and the MKV files I wish to play back are 720p. I have try quicktime 7.6 and it seems to be able to cache the file before I hit play. Quicktime work better but still choppy. May be it is time to get an Intel Mac or look for a video converter to downsize the MKV file.

Good Points. Thank you again.

Paul

[ElDiabloConCaca]

Try using Handbrake to convert the video to a smaller size and/or different container:

http://handbrake.fr/

If you were able to purchase VisualHub before TechSpansion pulled the plug on that project, it works equally well with much less complicated options and settings. I believe the child project of VisualHub is TranscoderRedux, available here (although the project is in-progress and some things just plain don't work):

http://sourceforge.net/projects/transcoderredux/