FormatDrop
How-To Guide

How to Convert TS to MKV

TS (MPEG Transport Stream) files come from digital TV recordings, Blu-ray rips, and broadcast capture. MKV (Matroska) is a more flexible container for long-term storage and media server use — it supports subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and chapters in a widely compatible format. Converting TS to MKV can be done losslessly (no quality loss) using FFmpeg's stream copy mode.

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Step-by-step instructions

  1. 1

    Lossless remux with FFmpeg

    Most TS files contain H.264 or H.265 video with AAC or AC-3 audio — the same codecs MKV supports. Remux without re-encoding: `ffmpeg -i input.ts -c copy output.mkv`. This is fast (a 10 GB file takes seconds), lossless, and just changes the container. Verify the output plays correctly before deleting the source.

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  2. 2

    Re-encode if needed

    If the TS contains MPEG-2 video (older TV recordings) and you want to modernise the codec: `ffmpeg -i input.ts -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -c:a aac output.mkv`. This re-encodes to H.264 — significantly smaller file, good quality. CRF 18–22 is the right range; lower = better quality, larger file.

  3. 3

    Add subtitles during conversion

    If the TS file contains subtitles (DVB subtitles from broadcast TV): check with `ffprobe input.ts` to see subtitle tracks. Include them in the MKV: `ffmpeg -i input.ts -c copy -map 0 output.mkv` (maps all tracks including subtitles). Some DVB subtitle formats may need conversion to SRT for compatibility.

  4. 4

    Verify with MKVToolNix

    Open the resulting MKV in MKVToolNix (free, mkvtoolnix.download) or VLC to verify all tracks are present and in sync. MKVToolNix's MKVInfo tool shows all tracks, codecs, and timecodes. If audio/video sync is off, fix it: `ffmpeg -i input.ts -itsoffset 0.5 -c copy output.mkv`.

Why convert TS to MKV?

TS files are designed for broadcast transmission, not storage or playback. MKV is a better long-term container — smaller in overhead, universally supported by media servers (Plex, Kodi, Jellyfin), and capable of holding subtitles and multiple audio tracks elegantly.

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FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.

Frequently asked questions

Can I convert TS to MKV without re-encoding?
Yes — if the TS contains H.264 or H.265 video with AAC, AC-3, or DTS audio, you can remux losslessly: `ffmpeg -i input.ts -c copy output.mkv`. This is the fastest and best approach. Re-encoding is only needed if you want to change the video codec (e.g., MPEG-2 to H.264) or reduce file size.
What is a TS file?
TS (MPEG Transport Stream) is a container used by digital broadcast television, Blu-ray discs, and streaming services. It's designed for reliable transmission over unreliable channels (TV broadcasts), with error recovery built in. For long-term storage, MKV or MP4 are better choices as they're not designed for broadcast transmission.
Why is my TS file so large?
TS files from TV recordings often use higher bitrates than necessary for storage, are MPEG-2 encoded (less efficient than H.264), and include broadcast overhead data. Re-encoding to H.264 MKV with CRF 20 typically reduces file size by 50–80% while maintaining visual quality comparable to the original broadcast.
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