One of the most frequently asked questions we get from you is: “I used to be able to download 4K YouTube videos in MP4 format… Why is it only allowed with MKV now?”

In this short article, we wanted to answer this question and address some of the misconceptions there are regarding the conversion of videos.

Can 4K Video Downloader Plus save 4K YouTube videos in MKV and MP4?

Yes, if these videos are originally provided to us by YouTube in these formats. The thing is that 4K Video Downloader Plus doesn’t convert formats. It parses and downloads what YouTube provides. YouTube has changed how it stores content, so different videos in 4K and 8K resolutions may now be available in different formats, like MP4 or MKV. Some videos are available in both formats, while others might only be in MKV.

Besides, MP4 and MKV are just container formats. Containers hold video, audio, subtitles, and metadata but do not dictate the video codec used inside them. YouTube serves high-resolution videos (above 1080p) primarily using VP9 and AV1 codecs. AV1 is often used for the highest resolutions (like 8K), while VP9 is commonly used for 4K and HD videos. As such, ​​all videos in higher resolutions (1440p, 2160p) will be encoded with the VP9 video codec, and that is only standardized for MKV or WebM. So even if you force the downloaded VP9 video to be re-wrapped in an MP4 container, that file will not be recognised by most playback devices, so that is pointless.

If a 4K video from YouTube isn’t available to download as AV1 in MP4 format, it’s likely because YouTube distributes high-res VP9 streams more commonly in MKV containers. So a downloaded 4K video in MKV is typically VP9, while AV1 might be rarer and can be in MP4 or MKV.

MP4 containers with AV1 video streams are not broadly compatible with many older players or editing software. AV1 support for editing software and older playback devices is quite limited compared to older codecs like H.264.

For practical purposes, many users find downloading 4K+ YouTube videos in MKV works better, as the MKV container supports VP9 streams that are widely used in high-res YouTube videos.

The notion that MP4 files containing AV1 are not standard H.264 MP4s and thus not necessarily easy to play or edit on older systems is also a common one

Recommended Video Converters

If the format is important for you, you can use one of these converters recommended by our team:

• Any Video Converter

This app can convert any video into the format you need. The interface of the tool is quite simple but the solution is robust as it supports around 1000 formats and allows you to work with 4K and even 8K videos as well. Batch conversion is also available if you need to change formats of multiple videos at a time.

• Online Video Converter

This is an online solution which is super straightforward to use. You simply need to upload a file or add a URL, select the desired formats, resolution, and additional settings, such as codec. A few minutes in, and the file is converted to the format compatible with any device.

How do I download 4K & 8K videos in 4K VIdeo Downloader Plus?

Watching 4K or 8K videos with poor internet connection isn’t the most pleasant experience. If you want to make sure these ultra HD videos remain hi-res, downloading them with 4K Video Downloader Plus might be a better option.

1. Launch 4K Video Downloader Plus. It's available for macOS, Windows, Linux and Android.

2. Copy the link to the 4K YouTube video you want to download.

3. Click the Paste Link button in the downloader.

4. Select the format, 4K resolution, and output folder.

If you use the Smart Mode, simply choose the quality before pasting the link:

5. Click Download.

Alternatively, you can find and download YouTube videos in 4K resolution through the in-app browser. This way you can browse YouTube without leaving the application and download content on the spot.

Does VLC play 4K MKV?

Yes, VLC can play 4K videos and enables hardware decoding by default for 4K and 8K playback.