CAVS to MKV Converter
Convert CAVS to MKV online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.
Maximum file size is 1GB
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Three steps to your converted file
Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.
Upload your file
Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.
Choose an output format
Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.
Convert & download
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What is a CAVS file?
The CAVS (Chinese Audio Video Standard) file format is a digital video compression standard developed by the Audio Video Coding Standard (AVS) Working Group of China to compete with H.264/AVC and MPEG-4. Officially known as GB/T 20090, this format utilizes 8x8 integer transformation and motion compensation similar to MPEG standards but with lower computational complexity, designed specifically for High-Definition (HD) digital broadcasting and IPTV services within China. It serves as the national standard for source coding, reducing reliance on foreign intellectual property licensing fees associated with international codecs.
How to open a CAVS file
Because CAVS is a regional standard specific to the Chinese broadcast ecosystem, native playback support on Western operating systems (Windows, macOS) is nonexistent. To view these files, users require a media player capable of utilizing the libavcodec library, such as VLC Media Player or FFmpeg-based tools, which include specific decoders for AVS1-P2 and AVS+ video streams.
CAVS Technical Info
- Full Name
- Chinese Audio Video Standard
- Developed By
- AVS Working Group
- Initial Release
- 2006
- MIME Type
- video/avs
What is an MKV file?
The Matroska Video (MKV) file is an open-standard, free container format capable of holding an unlimited number of video, audio, picture, or subtitle tracks in one file. Unlike proprietary containers, Matroska is structured upon Extensible Binary Meta Language (EBML), allowing for significant flexibility and forward compatibility. It supports a vast array of codecs, including H.264, VP9, HEVC, AAC, Vorbis, and FLAC, and is particularly noted for its support of soft subtitles (SSA/ASS) and chapter entries, making it a standard for high-definition video distribution (HD) and anime fansubs.
How to open an MKV file
Native support for MKV is available in Windows 10/11 via the Movies & TV app and generally on Linux distributions. macOS requires third-party software, as QuickTime Player does not natively parse the Matroska container. The industry-standard solution for all operating systems is VLC Media Player, which includes built-in libraries for decoding the diverse codecs often encapsulated within MKV files. Alternative options include MPV and MPC-HC (Windows).
MKV Technical Info
- Full Name
- Matroska Video Container
- Developed By
- Matroska (non-profit)
- Initial Release
- 2002
- MIME Type
- video/x-matroska
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Convert CAVS to MKV in seconds
Every CAVS to MKV conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.
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Developer API
Convert CAVS to MKV via API
Automate CAVS to MKV conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.
# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"tag": "cavs-to-mkv",
"tasks": {
"upload-file": {
"operation": "import/upload"
},
"convert": {
"operation": "convert",
"input": "upload-file",
"output_format": "mkv"
},
"export-result": {
"operation": "export/url",
"input": "convert"
}
}
}'
# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.cavs
# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.