Understanding the MKV container and its role in FFV1 archival video workflows.
What is Matroska?
Matroska is a multimedia container format capable of holding video, audio and associated data.
Is MKV a codec?
No. MKV is a container. The codec determines how the video essence is encoded.
Why is MKV used with FFV1?
The Library of Congress maintains a specific format description for Matroska containing FFV1 and identifies FFV1 in Matroska as a preferred format for relevant file-based video preservation.
Can MKV contain other codecs?
Yes. Matroska can contain different video and audio encodings, so the extension alone does not tell you whether a file is lossless.
Why document the codec as well as the container?
Long-term preservation depends on understanding the encoded essence, not simply the filename extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every MKV file lossless?
No. MKV can contain many different codecs.
Why use FFV1 inside MKV?
The combination provides a lossless video encoding in a documented container used by heritage organisations.
Is MKV suitable for archives?
It can be, when the complete file specification is appropriate and documented.
Further Reading
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