12 Jun How to Make OBS Record in MP4 – OBS MKV to MP4 Guide With Bonus

OBS Studio is a powerful and free open-source software for video recording and live streaming. One of the most common questions among OBS users is how to make OBS record directly in MP4 format. By default, OBS records in MKV format, which is more reliable for crash recovery but not universally supported for editing and playback. Thankfully, OBS provides an easy way to convert your recordings to MP4 — and even some bonus options that make your workflow more flexible.

Why OBS Records in MKV By Default

The primary reason OBS defaults to the MKV format is safety. If your system crashes or power is lost during recording, MKV files are far more resistant to corruption. MP4 files, on the other hand, often become unusable if the recording doesn’t successfully complete. This is why many professional streamers and content creators stick to MKV and convert the files later.

How to Change OBS to Record in MP4

If you’re confident about your system stability and prefer the convenience of MP4, OBS allows you to set it directly:

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Click on the “Settings” button in the bottom-right corner.
3. Navigate to the “Output” tab.
4. Under the “Recording” section, change the Recording Format to MP4 from the dropdown menu.
5. Click “Apply”, then “OK” to save the changes.

Note: OBS will warn you that recording directly to MP4 is risky due to potential file corruption. Proceed only if you understand the implications.

OBS MKV to MP4 – Built-In Conversion Tool

If you’ve chosen safety first by recording in MKV, no worries—you can easily convert those files to MP4 using OBS’s integrated “Remux” feature. Here’s how:

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Go to File > Remux Recordings.
3. Click the “…” button next to “OBS Recording” and choose your MKV file.
4. Click “Remux”, and OBS will generate an MP4 copy of the MKV file.

The remux process is quick because it doesn’t re-encode the video; it simply repackages it, preserving quality.

Bonus: Automate the MKV to MP4 Conversion

Tired of manual conversions? OBS lets you automate the remuxing process:

1. In OBS, go to Settings > Advanced.
2. Scroll to the Recording section.
3. Enable the option Automatically remux to MP4.

With this setting active, OBS will record in MKV for safety but instantly convert the video to MP4 after each recording session—giving you the best of both worlds.

Advantages of Using MP4 Format

• Editing Compatibility: MP4 is recognized by most video editing platforms like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
• Playback Friendly: Easily playable on most media players and devices.
• Compact Format: MP4 files often offer smaller sizes for similar quality as other formats.

Final Thoughts

While MKV is the safer format during recording, MP4 remains more universally accessible for editing and sharing. OBS gives users the flexibility to choose their workflow through easy format switching or automated file conversion. Whether you’re a seasoned editor or a beginner, understanding how to manage your output formats is key to a smooth video production experience.

FAQ

• Can I recover a corrupted MP4 file from OBS?
  No, if the MP4 file is not finalized due to a crash, it is typically unusable. That’s why MKV is the safer recording option.
• Does remuxing cause quality loss?
  No, remuxing does not involve re-encoding. It simply changes the container from MKV to MP4, preserving the original video and audio quality.
• Are there third-party tools for converting MKV to MP4?
  Yes, tools like HandBrake or FFmpeg can be used, but OBS’s built-in remux function is often faster and more convenient.
• Why doesn’t OBS just use MP4 by default?
  Because MP4 files are prone to corruption if recording is interrupted. MKV helps prevent data loss in such scenarios.
• Where are my remuxed MP4 files saved?
  They are saved to the same location as the original MKV recording unless otherwise configured in Output settings.