Complete Amazon Prime Video Transcoding Guide (MP4, MKV, DVD) 2025

Prime Video downloads can feel like a lottery, sometimes seamless, sometimes maddeningly locked down. In a city like NYC, where commutes are unpredictable and signal is spotty, reliable offline viewing can be your best friend. Ever tried to download your favorite show for the subway, only to find it “somehow” vanished, or can’t be played outside the app? You’re not alone. But what’s really going on behind the curtain of Amazon’s download workflow?

Let’s pull back the veil on formats, encryption, and why those Prime Video downloads don’t behave like MP4/MKV files. Spoiler: it’s not just about convenience. It’s about control.

The Real State of Downloading Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video’s official downloads are encrypted files playable only in the Amazon app and do not produce standard MP4 or MKV files.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever thought “Wait, where actually IS this video file on my phone?”

Why "Official" Downloads Aren't Enough?

Trying to rely on Amazon’s official download feature feels reassuring—until you hit a brick wall at exactly the wrong moment. Here's the catch: those "downloads" aren’t really yours. They’re encrypted containers, playable only inside the Amazon app, strictly tethered to your account, device, and often expiration dates. Ever found a show missing overnight or unplayable after you upgrade your phone? That’s DRM at work, and it’s designed more to comfort rights-holders than viewers.

What Formats Do You Actually Get?

When you tap ‘Download’ in the Prime Video app, you might expect a neat .mp4 or .mkv waiting in your device’s storage. Not quite. What you really get is a cluster of mysterious files—usually .pdmv or similar, locked behind Amazon’s own format, unreadable by any conventional video player. No dragging it to VLC, no moving Prime Video to your USB stick or smart TV. And forget about editing or burning copies; these files resist every trick in the book.

Alyssa

It’s almost like Amazon expects you to never leave their ecosystem. Coincidence? I think not.

So, if you’re planning to archive, edit, or simply play videos freely, official downloads simply won’t cut it.

Why Compatibility Is So Elusive?

Most people assume a downloaded video will play anywhere—until they face that cold moment of “format not supported.” You download an Amazon Prime show on your phone, try to play it on your new smart TV, and boom—error, unsupported, or worse, just nothing.

Why all this drama? The answer is a combination of Amazon’s encrypted formats and device-level DRM. Compatibility is less a feature than a minefield, and almost every device throws up its own barricade.

Ever wondered why a video works fine on your phone but vanishes from your tablet, or why your media server just shrugs in confusion? Let’s break down the main culprits.

Device/Platform Barriers 

Let’s get practical: You’ve downloaded an episode of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” on your Android phone, eager to share the laughs on your friend’s giant Samsung TV. Plug it in, transfer the files, and—nothing. File not recognized. You try uploading to your home media server? Still nothing. Amazon’s encrypted format (.pdmv or similar) can’t be decoded by non-Amazon apps or hardware, period.

Alyssa

It happened to me after a cross-country move. I packed my laptop for a long flight, only to discover my downloads were “tied” to my old phone. Cue frantic WiFi hunting at the airport lounge. 

It’s not just you, this happens across phones, tablets, smart TVs, and media hubs. Each device checks for Amazon’s digital handshake, without which these files become digital junk.

The DRM & Encryption Problem

Amazon Prime Video downloads are encrypted with DRM, restricting playback to authorized devices and blocking standard video players or manual transfers.

Put simply, DRM (Digital Rights Management) is a digital padlock on your video files. Behind the scenes, every download is locked with advanced encryption (often AES or proprietary methods), and only your authorized Amazon app holds the key. Try to open that file in VLC or copy it to another gadget? You’ll just see garbled data or a flat “file not supported.”

Alyssa

Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be. DRM exists to prevent piracy, but for regular viewers, it mostly creates a maze of device errors and limited viewing windows. The intention is noble—protect creators’ rights, but the real-world result is a patchwork of compatibility headaches.

MKV, MP4, DVD — Pros & Cons

Not all video formats are created equal, especially when it comes to getting your Prime Video downloads to work where you want them. Should you aim for MKV, settle for MP4, or turn Prime Video titles old-school with DVD? Let’s break down what works best, where, and why.

Before we get lost in the nitty-gritty, here’s the headline you probably care about first.

When to Use: MP4, MKV, or DVD?

For maximum device compatibility, MP4 is the safest bet; MKV is ideal for advanced users needing multiple tracks or subtitles, while DVD is best for classic players or long-term archiving.

Personally, I bounce Prime Video titles between MP4 for my iPad, MKV for Plex, and DVD whenever relatives ask for “real discs.” (And yes, this still happens.)

Compatibility, Size & Quality Cheat Sheet

Here’s a quick visual cheat sheet for Amazon Prime Video format options:

Tips: 

• Choose MP4 for plug-and-play; MKV for advanced needs; DVD if you want true hardware playback.
• Always check your device’s specs—some new TVs now even play MKVs, while others remain picky.

How to Download Amazon Video to MP4/MKV

Whether you’re sharing clips between friends, switching devices on the go, or queuing up episodes for a long-haul flight, the humble MP4 or MKV rarely lets you down. But how do you actually get an Amazon Prime Video in this golden format? 

Step-by-Step with KeepStreams & Alternatives

Here’s a quick starter workflow tested in big city apartments and tiny airport lounges alike:

1. Download & install KeepStreams for Prime Video or a top-rated alternative.

2. Log in with your Amazon account through the software interface. Don’t worry, your credentials are encrypted and not stored.

3. Click the settings button in the top right corner.
4. Select "Preferences," then click "Preferred Settings."
5. Under "Video Format," choose the MP4/MKV format you prefer.

Common Pitfalls & Solutions

Even with the best MKV downloader, roadblocks still pop up. Some downloads lose audio sync; others skip subtitles. Sometimes, you'll excitedly find your freshly transcoded file… only to realize your smart TV gives you a “file not supported” message (yup, been there).

Here’s how to avoid headaches:

• Double-check codec settings. Most tools let you pick H.264 (most compatible) or H.265 (smaller files, but not all TVs like it).
• Subtitles: Always test your download: are subtitles hardcoded (“burned in”) or soft (selectable)? Soft subs may not show up on all TVs.
• Batch downloads: Sometimes, batch mode misses an episode or two—always verify your list.
• Playback app matters: VLC and Plex do wonders. Built-in TV apps can be surprisingly picky.

Alyssa

Most “doesn’t play” errors are due to codec or subtitle issues, not download failure. 

Tweak settings, and don’t be afraid to try a different player or file format if needed.

How to Burn Amazon Prime Video Titles to DVD

Maybe your parents still love their old DVD player, or you want a permanent archive. Burning Amazon Prime Video content to DVD isn’t just nostalgia—it’s also about real-world compatibility and physical backups. But, spoiler alert: it requires an extra step or two!

Why Bother?

Some moments beg for old-school charm—a graduation video for grandma, a TV series for that “no WiFi” cabin. Burning to DVD bypasses smart TV quirks and DRM shenanigans. A shiny disc just works—everywhere DVDs are still alive.

Alyssa

Last holiday, I put together a “Best of 2020 Streaming” DVD for my aunt. Let’s just say it saved Christmas movie night—and led to the family’s rediscovery of ‘pause’ and ‘rewind’ buttons! 

Quick Workflow: From Download to DVD Burn

Here's the no-fuss method:

1. Download your video in MP4 or MKV (see previous steps).
2. Use a DVD authoring tool (like ImgBurn, DVD Flick, or Nero).
3. Import the video: Most modern burners convert from both MP4 and MKV.
4. Customize your menu/theme (Totally optional, but adds a festive touch!).
5. Burn to disc: Standard DVDs support up to 4.7GB (about 2 hours at high quality).

Top Third-Party Tools & Their Surprises

Not all "Amazon video downloaders" are built alike. The difference between a smooth binge night and a string of error messages can come down to details like subtitle handling, download speed, or even how many episodes you can grab in one go.

Below is a comparison table of the most popular options as of 2025:

Before jumping into our key findings, it’s worth noting: tools like Audials One and some similar brands aren’t primarily designed as streaming video converters or direct downloaders; they’re more focused on screen recording and media editing.

When faced with DRM-protected streams like Prime Video, such screen recorder tools might occasionally fail, showing only a black screen or no audio at all. For truly reliable downloads and format conversion, purpose-built solutions like KeepStreams or Kigo tend to offer better success rates and fewer compatibility hiccups.

Alyssa

Compare not just by price, but also by details like subtitle types, true batch capability, and device support.

Final Thought

Let’s bring it all together. Amazon Prime Video transcoding isn’t just a technical chore—it’s the hidden gatekeeper between you and true offline freedom. If your goal is to watch your favorite shows on any device, format really matters. There’s no perfect “one-click” answer for every need, but with the right third-party tools, a bit of trial and error, and careful attention to subtitle/audio settings, you can reliably transform even the most restricted content into a format that fits your life.

And if you ever catch yourself cursing at a “File not supported” error at 2 a.m.—trust me, you’re far from alone. Streaming should fit your life, not tie you down.