Key takeaways
- After trying out all these converters, they really stuck with me. Movavi Video Converter ended up being my all-around favorite – it’s quick, has handy AI tools, and even throws in some simple editing features that save time. HandBrake is the one I reach for when I want total control and serious file compression, though it definitely takes some patience to learn. And Freemake is a good option if you just want something easy and straightforward, even if the free version does slap on a watermark.
- What I noticed while testing is that no single tool does everything perfectly. Some programs are insanely fast but don’t give you many ways to tweak your video. Others let you adjust every little detail (formats, codecs, resolutions) but can feel overwhelming if you’re just trying to convert one clip for your phone.
- The choice really depends on your priority: if you value speed and ease, go for Movavi; if you’re a tinkerer who wants total control, HandBrake is the one; if you’re on a budget and don’t mind watermarks, Freemake does the job.
- A quick pro tip from me: always preview your video before finalizing the conversion. It sounds obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I caught an off-center subtitle or wrong resolution just in time.
- And one more: if the software has AI features (like automatic upscaling, noise removal, or subtitle embedding), don’t sleep on them, I found they save a ton of time and effort, especially when dealing with larger libraries or older, lower-quality files.
Ever notice how some of your favorite movies or old home videos just feel better when they’re on a disc? Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s the satisfying click of the tray closing, but for me, there’s something special about holding a physical copy of footage in my hands. I’ve been knee-deep in an MKV to DVD converter research lately, testing everything I could get my hands on, and now I can tell you: not all of them make turning an MKV into a proper DVD disk as painless as you’d hope. Some are fast but messy, others are sleek but too limited. After running a whole lineup of apps through my own footage (and a couple of embarrassing family clips), I pulled together the best tools that actually get the job done when you want to burn MKVs onto a disc and kick back with a DVD or Blu-ray player.
My top picks
- Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
Out of everything I tested, this one hit the sweet spot – fast, reliable, packed with AI tools, it’s the kind of software that feels like it’s on your side. - Best for beginners: Freemake
Freemake isn’t perfect – that watermark in the free version still bugs me – but if you’re new to this, it’s about as straightforward as it gets. - Best for customization: HandBrake
HandBrake has a bit of a learning curve, but if you’re the type who wants to tweak every setting (and don’t mind tinkering), this one’s your playground.
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When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.
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Way #1 – How to convert MKV to DVD with Movavi Video Converter
Movavi Video Converter
Best for: high-speed and high-quality conversions with lots of additional functions
Why I picked it
It struck me as the most reliable all-around choice with no drama, just consistent results every single time.
Operating system
Windows, macOS
Movavi Video Converter is a multipurpose media converter. It can convert almost any video to DVD and vice versa. The app also has tools to edit out undesirable parts of the video and enhance it with filters. I liked how simple it was to cut out the parts I didn’t need, and the filters seemed very effective. You can also acquire subtitles for any movie using the built-in subtitle searcher and embedder. This function was really useful, and I enjoyed the fact that it worked smoothly. Another thing I found great is that the program includes AI tools, which really helped me save a lot of time and effort while working with my files.
Step 1. Installing the MKV-to-DVD converter
Movavi Video Converter is available for Windows 7 and above, as well as Mac OS X and later. Download and run the installation file, then follow the installer’s instructions.
Step 2. Adding MKV files
Press the Add Media button in the upper-left corner. A drop-down menu will appear. Choose the Add video option and select the videos you want to convert and record on a disc. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the files directly into the program window.
Step 3. Adjusting the conversion settings
Open the Video tab and select DVD-Compatible Video. Pick a preset for the standard and the quality that fits your needs. PAL and NTSC options are supported. Click the Cogwheel icon to adjust parameters, such as aspect ratio, bitrate value, and resolution.
Step 4. Converting the videos
Click the Save to button before converting and specify the folder where the result files will be stored. Hit the Convert button, and the program will create DVD-videos from your MKVs.
Step 5. Burning the files to DVD (optional)
Once your files are converted to a DVD-player format, the folder containing the files will open up automatically. In order to burn those files to a disc, you can use Movavi Video Suite – a software bundle designed for video-making and -editing tasks of all kinds. The bundle includes an MKV-to-DVD converter, a DVD burner, an ISO-image maker, online resources, and other useful tools.
Get Movavi Video Suite
Congrats! Now you know how to convert MKV to DVD with our tools!
Ratings
Pros:
High-speed conversion
Supports all popular formats
Built-in editing functions
Way #2 – How to convert MKV file to DVD with Freemake
Freemake
Best for: beginners or those looking for video compressor freeware that offers a wide range of features
Why I picked it
I loved how easy it was to get started evoiding confusing menus or hidden settings, I could just dive right in.
Operating system
Windows only (including Windows 8, Windows 10)
This encoder can also convert your files quickly and easily, and it has no limitations on video file size or length. I found this particularly impressive, since I could convert long movies without any problem. This means you can convert video or even process your entire family's archives into a single film. However, the trial version has certain limitations: it adds a Freemake intro and watermark to your film, and it only works with Windows OS – not great, especially the intro, which felt intrusive.
The Freemake converter supports all popular formats including MP4, AVI, MKV, and more. Supporting codecs: H.264, H.265 (HEVC), MPEG4, AAC, AV1. The wide format support seemed great to me and made the tool much more versatile.
Download Freemake
How to burn MKV to DVD with Freemake:
- Download and run the installer. To complete the setup, follow instructions on your screen.
- Run the program when installation is done.
- Click the +Video button to add the MKV videos you want to convert to DVD.
- Click to DVD and set your DVD drive. You can either use the default settings or change the aspect ratio, video system, and other parameters.
- Insert a blank DVD to be burned and click Convert to run the process.
Ratings
Pros:
No audio compression
Batch conversion support
Cons:
The free version has a watermark and adds a Freemake intro
Way #3 – How to convert MKV to DVD with HandBrake
HandBrake
Best for: those looking for free, open-source MP4 video compression software for a PC or Mac. While beginners should have no issues carrying out simple conversions, the more advanced features are probably best suited to those with some experience.
Why I picked it
I was genuinely impressed with how flexible it is, effortlessly handling pretty much any format I threw at it.
Operating system
Windows (including Windows 10), macOS, and Linux
HandBrake is a well-known open-source freeware. It supports a wide range of video formats and has built-in presets for common devices, such as iPhone and PlayStation. I liked the variety of presets because they made the process faster. It can keep file quality while reducing the size, I actually saved a lot of space without losing visible quality. However, its advanced functions may be difficult to understand for beginners. Personally, I felt the interface was a bit overwhelming at first, it took me some time to get used to it. Handbrake supports 720p, 1080p, and 4K resolutions. This is just excellent, I could work with high-definition videos without problems.
Download HandBrake
How to convert MKV to DVD with HandBrake:
- Download the app from the HandBrake website and install it on your machine.
- Choose the files you want to convert to DVD in the HandBrake Source window and click Open.
- Choose a location to store your completed conversions.
- Click Output Setting or Format to select a DVD file format for converting your files.
- Click Start or Start encode to begin the conversion.
Ratings
Pros:
Variety of built-in presents
A set of video filters
Completely free and without watermarks
Cons:
Occasional glitches are reported
Has a noticeable learning curve
How to choose the best MKV to DVD converter
Finding the right MKV-to-DVD converter isn’t about hunting down some “perfect” program, it’s about picking the one that actually makes your life easier. After messing around with a bunch of options, I’ve seen that each has its own sweet spot. Movavi Video Converter is my reliable workhorse: it’s smooth, polished, and packed with features that actually save you time instead of creating extra headaches. Freemake is great if you just want to drag, drop, and burn without overthinking it. As for HandBrake, well, it might look intimidating at first, but for anyone who loves fiddling with every little setting, it’s basically a playground.
The trick is to think about what you actually want from a converter you use. Do you want full control over every setting, or do you just need something that gets the job done fast? Are you okay with a learning curve, or do you want instant results? Once you know that, pick the converter that matches your style, and suddenly, creating DVDs becomes less of a chore and more of a small victory you’ll actually want to show off.
The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!
Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, no. If you wish to play an MKV-video on a DVD player, you'll need to convert it to another format, and then use third-party software to burn the movies to a DVD.
There is a variety of free software that allows burning MKV and other video files to a DVD. Here are some of the best MKV-to-DVD converters:
Movavi Video Converter
Freemake
HandBrake
There are plenty of programs that will let you transfer videos to the DVD format. However, we recommend Movavi Video Converter. Install this simple yet effective tool and follow the steps below:
Click on Add Media.
Select Add video and choose the MKV files you want to convert.
Open the Video tab and select the appropriate preset from the DVD-Compatible Video group.
Adjust your conversion settings by selecting the quality you want.
Click the Save to button to decide where you want to save your converted files.
Click on the Convert button.
If you want to burn MKV files to disc, use Movavi Video Suite.
How to convert MKV to DVD: Video guide

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