| Tool | Default behavior | Index control | |-------|------------------|----------------| | (MKVToolNix) | Creates cues for all keyframes (full index) | --cues <interval> (e.g., --cues 2s for sparse) | | FFmpeg | Creates cues for all keyframes | -cues 1 (default), -cues 0 (disable) | | HandBrake | Always creates full index | No user option | | MakeMKV | Creates sparse index (every ~10s) | No user option | | OBS Studio | No index (unless remuxed) | Requires remuxing |
: Because the file structure is more complex than older formats like AVI, MKV files tend to be larger. While this complexity provides better navigation, it makes the format less ideal for simple streaming compared to MP4. MKV Files Explained - Adobe mkv index