FormatDrop
Video Format

MTS

AVCHD Video File

MTS (also called M2TS or AVCHD) is the video format used by high-definition consumer and prosumer camcorders from Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and others since 2006. AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) uses H.264 video compression inside an MPEG-2 Transport Stream (MTS/M2TS) container, recording directly to SD cards, internal flash memory, or DVD discs. MTS delivers HD quality (720p, 1080i, 1080p) at manageable file sizes, making it the dominant camcorder format for about a decade before manufacturers transitioned to MP4-based recording.

What is MTS?

An MTS file is an MPEG-2 Transport Stream containing H.264 (AVC) video and Dolby Digital AC-3 or Linear PCM audio. AVCHD cameras organize recordings in a specific folder structure on the card: AVCHD → BDMV → STREAM → *.MTS. This folder structure carries chapter and playlist information that individual MTS files lack. MTS files use variable frame rates and complex timestamps, which can cause issues in some video editors if files are used independently rather than through the AVCHD folder structure. The AVCHD standard was co-developed by Sony and Panasonic in 2006 and updated to AVCHD 2.0 in 2011 to support 3D and 60p recording.

MTS pros and cons

Advantages

  • Full HD quality (1080i, 1080p) at efficient H.264 compression
  • SD card recording — no mechanical parts, robust for outdoor shooting
  • AVCHD standard supported by most professional editing software natively
  • Long recording times — HD video at 1080p at 24 Mbps uses far less storage than uncompressed
  • Widely used in consumer and prosumer camcorders for over a decade

Limitations

  • Complex AVCHD folder structure — individual MTS files may have audio sync issues
  • MPEG-2 TS container is awkward for editing compared to MP4 or MXF
  • Some older editing software transcodes MTS to intermediate format before editing (slow)
  • Being replaced by MP4-based XAVC (Sony) and MP4 (Panasonic) in newer cameras
  • Windows Media Player cannot play MTS — requires VLC or codec pack

When should you convert MTS files?

Convert MTS to MP4 for universal compatibility, smaller file size (with re-encoding), and smooth editing in software that struggles with AVCHD. Convert to ProRes or DNxHR for professional post-production workflows. Import MTS directly into DaVinci Resolve (free), Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro without pre-conversion if your editing software supports AVCHD natively — these tools use GPU-accelerated decoding for smooth playback.

Convert MTS files

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MTS FAQ

What is the difference between MTS and M2TS?
MTS and M2TS contain the same H.264 video data in the same MPEG-2 Transport Stream container. The naming differs by context: cameras write .MTS files to their AVCHD folder structure. Blu-ray discs use .M2TS files in their BDMV folder structure. The two are technically interchangeable — renaming .MTS to .M2TS or vice versa often works. Both can be converted to MP4 using identical FFmpeg commands.
Why does my editing software play MTS slowly or drop frames?
H.264 in MTS uses long-GOP (Group of Pictures) compression — most frames are encoded as differences from surrounding frames, requiring the decoder to process multiple frames to display one. This is CPU-intensive, especially for older computers. Solutions: transcode MTS to an intermediate codec (ProRes on Mac, DNxHR on Windows) for smooth editing, or create proxy files in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro. Modern computers with fast CPUs and GPU decoding handle AVCHD without transcoding.
How do I import AVCHD footage correctly into my editor?
For best results, preserve the full AVCHD folder structure (AVCHD/BDMV/STREAM/) and import the entire folder rather than individual MTS files. In Final Cut Pro: import the BDMV folder. In Premiere Pro: Media Browser → navigate to the AVCHD folder → import. In DaVinci Resolve: Media Pool → navigate to the AVCHD folder, which appears as a structured media unit. Importing the folder preserves chapter markers, clip metadata, and proper timestamps.

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