Can You Put DTS-HD Master Audio in MKV Files?

Yes, you can absolutely include DTS-HD Master Audio (DTS-HD MA) inside an MKV (Matroska) container. Because the MKV format is an incredibly flexible and open-standard container, it natively supports high-definition, lossless audio codecs like DTS-HD MA. This article covers how MKV handles this audio format, the tools used to create these files, and what you need to play them back successfully.

How MKV Handles DTS-HD Master Audio

MKV is a multimedia container, meaning it acts as a wrapper for various video, audio, and subtitle tracks. It does not compress or alter the data inside it.

DTS-HD Master Audio is a lossless audio codec commonly found on Blu-ray discs. It contains two parts: a lossy “DTS Core” (5.1 channels) and a lossless extension track. When you put a DTS-HD MA track into an MKV file, the container preserves both the core and the lossless extension. This ensures you do not lose any audio quality during the container conversion process.

How to Create MKV Files with DTS-HD MA

There are two primary methods to put DTS-HD Master Audio into an MKV file without re-encoding or losing quality:

• MakeMKV: If you are ripping a Blu-ray disc, MakeMKV is the most direct tool. It copies the video and the original DTS-HD MA audio track directly from the disc into an MKV container. This process is called “remuxing” and results in zero quality loss.
• MKVToolNix: If you already have separate video and audio files (for example, an H.264 video file and a separate .dts or .dtshd audio track), you can use the multiplexer tool MKVToolNix to combine them into a single MKV file.

Playback and Hardware Compatibility

To enjoy DTS-HD Master Audio from an MKV file, your playback chain must support the codec:

• Software Players: Media players like VLC, MPC-HC, and Kodi can decode DTS-HD Master Audio directly on your computer.
• Audio Bitstreaming: If you are using a media streaming device (like a Nvidia Shield) connected to a home theater receiver, you must enable “bitstreaming” or “audio passthrough” in your player settings. This sends the raw DTS-HD MA signal directly to your AV receiver for decoding.
• Backward Compatibility: If your playback device or TV does not support DTS-HD Master Audio, it will automatically extract and play the standard “DTS Core” track, ensuring you still get sound.