MKV2VOB Mac Port
If you’re like me and use the PS3 as a media hub in your living room, mkv2vob is a vital tool for converting videos to play on the PS3. Last December I started using an 11″ MacBook Air as essentially my main computer (I have a more powerful Windows notebook I open up every now and then for some heavy lifting), and a replacement for mkv2vob is one piece of software I’ve never been able to find. I’ve came across software like Playback, which can convert MKV files, but 3,500 Yen (about US$43) is a bit pricey for something that mkv2vob does for free. I’ve played with getting it installed via Wine and Wine Bottler, but for some reason I could never get it to work.
A few days ago I ran across someone who has used Wine to make a standalone mkv2vob Mac app that can easily be installed like any other app. It’s called simply mkv2vob Mac, and it does indeed install effortlessly and work flawlessly. I was able to use it to quickly convert some of my videos the other night without a problem, and now there’s one less reason for me to fire up my Windows notebook. I just wanted to share my finding with other Mac users who may have been looking for a similar solution, and also to thank the author. I’ve also made it available for download on this site, in case the files over at SourceForge ever get moved or deleted.
I know for PC to PS3 use I have prefer mkv2vob. I would like to have one computer as a hub for all entertainment, the problem is having two primary inputs through one computer. So PS3 hub it is! In fact, when I use it for gaming, it usually crashes on me (as it did last night when I tried a couple rounds of Magic the Gathering (yes I am a nerd)).
Anecdote time; the other day a musician friend of mine who sometimes thinks he knows everything about everything (and is usually far off reality) asked if he could play some music files on my sound system, but that I *have to have a mac to play them*. Why, I ask? *Because PC’s suck and never do anything right. I doubt it will play this type of file! Trust me!* After convincing him finally that I indeed knew more about computers than he surmised, he said it was a “called a wav file but I dont know if that will even help you”. I started laughing explaining that I have been listening to WAV files for years and that my 12 gig rammed bloomfield quad core could definitely play it. If not, I could always grab the codec. Then he asked what a codec is.