DaVinci Resolve imports MKV on Windows, Mac, and Linux, in both the free version and Studio. It handles this better than Premiere Pro. But MKV is a container, and Resolve cares about what is inside it.

Where it breaks:

Can DaVinci Resolve Open MKV Files? Workarounds That Actually Work
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  • H.265/HEVC video inside MKV can fail on systems without hardware decoding. Linux builds are pickiest.
  • Exotic audio codecs (DTS, TrueHD) may import as silent. Check your audio before you edit.
  • Variable frame rate MKV from screen recorders causes audio drift. Convert VFR to constant frame rate first.

Workarounds that actually work:

1. Remux to MP4 with FFmpeg stream copy. Fastest fix, zero quality loss. 2. Transcode problem files to DNxHR or ProRes. Bigger files, butter-smooth timeline. 3. Run MediaInfo on the file first. Knowing the codec before you troubleshoot saves an hour. Sources: FFmpeg, HandBrake Resolve plus MKV is workable. Resolve plus MP4 remuxes is painless. Pick painless.