What is an M2TS file?
M2TS stands for Blu-ray MPEG-2 transport stream. It was created by the Blu-ray Disc Association and first released in 2006. M2TS is the file type inside a Blu-ray's BDMV folder, and AVCHD cameras use it on the computer side. Protected Blu-ray discs will not convert.
MTS is the same format under another extension.
| Type | video |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | H.264, HEVC or VC-1 video with Dolby or DTS audio |
| In a browser | does not play in browsers; plays in VLC |
| Common uses | Blu-ray discs and AVCHD camcorder folders |
| MIME type | video/mp2t |
Which format should you convert M2TS to?
- M2TS to MP4 to play on any phone, computer or TV, or to upload to YouTube and social media.
- M2TS to MOV to edit in iMovie or Final Cut Pro on a Mac.
M2TS is already lossy, so converting it to a lossless format makes the file bigger without improving it; pick a lossless target only if a program requires one.
How to open an M2TS file
Whether an M2TS file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any video file, M2TS included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | M2TS does not play in browsers; plays in VLC. |
Want the technical details? See what a .m2ts file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
M2TS compared with other video formats
How M2TS stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2TS | Lossy | H.264, HEVC or VC-1 video with Dolby or DTS audio | 2006 | Blu-ray discs and AVCHD camcorder folders |
| MP4 | Lossy | H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio | 2001 | phone videos, YouTube uploads, social media and streaming |
| MOV | Lossy | H.264, HEVC or ProRes video with AAC audio | 1991 | iPhone recordings, Final Cut Pro and screen recordings on Mac |
| MKV | Lossy | almost any codec, often H.264 or H.265 with several audio and subtitle tracks | 2002 | films and TV rips, OBS recordings and anime releases |
| WebM | Lossy | VP8, VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio | 2010 | web video, screen recorders and browser-based recordings |
How to use the M2TS converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your M2TS files on the box, or press Choose M2TS files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting M2TS files without losing quality
M2TS is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- Keep the original recording. Every re-encode costs a little detail, so convert from the best copy you have, not from a file that was already converted.
- Know whether you need a new container or a new codec. MOV, MKV and MP4 can all hold H.264 video, and switching between them is fast and lossless; changing the codec means re-encoding, which is slower.
- For sharing, MP4 with H.264 at 1080p or 720p is the safe choice: every phone, browser and social network plays it.
- Phones record at very high bitrates. If a file is too big to send, lowering the resolution to 720p usually shrinks it far more than any quality setting.
Convert M2TS files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common M2TS conversion, to MKV, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.m2ts -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mkvChange the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
M2TS converter FAQ
What is an M2TS file?
M2TS stands for Blu-ray MPEG-2 transport stream, an alternative extension for a video format created by the Blu-ray Disc Association in 2006. M2TS is the file type inside a Blu-ray's BDMV folder, and AVCHD cameras use it on the computer side. Protected Blu-ray discs will not convert.
How do I open an M2TS file?
M2TS does not play in browsers; plays in VLC. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common M2TS conversion?
M2TS to MKV is the conversion people search for most. If the video inside the M2TS is already H.264, the tool first copies the streams straight into the MKV. That takes seconds and loses nothing.
Does converting M2TS files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your M2TS files never leave your device.
Is the M2TS converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many M2TS files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert M2TS files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your M2TS files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several M2TS files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.