MTS to HEVC Converter
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Supports: MTS
Advanced Options - Our defaults are optimized for the best results. We recommend you keeping the defaults unless you have a specific need.
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Need help?How to Convert MTS to HEVC Online
- Upload Your MTS Files — Drag and drop or select one or more MTS (AVCHD) video files from your camcorder.
- Choose a Quality Preset — Select from Highest, Very High (Recommended), High, Medium, Low, Very Low, or Lowest. "Very High" is the default and preserves camcorder footage quality.
- Adjust Resolution (Optional) — Keep original, pick a preset (4320p/8K down to 144p), set a percentage, or enter exact width × height in pixels.
- Trim (Optional) — Set a start time and duration in seconds or HH:MM:SS.sss to extract a specific clip from long recordings.
- Convert & Download — Click Convert and download your HEVC files.
The video codec defaults to H.265 (HEVC) and the audio codec defaults to AAC. Both can be changed under Advanced settings — H.264, AV1, VP9, and many others are available.
Why Convert MTS to HEVC?
MTS files are recorded by Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and JVC camcorders using the AVCHD format with H.264 video. While H.264 is widely compatible, HEVC (H.265) delivers the same visual quality at roughly half the file size. A 1-hour 1080p camcorder recording that takes 12 GB as MTS/H.264 can be reduced to ~6 GB as HEVC with no visible quality loss. This makes HEVC ideal for archiving large camcorder libraries, sharing footage via cloud storage, and editing on devices with limited storage.
MTS (H.264) vs HEVC (H.265) Comparison
| Feature | MTS / AVCHD (H.264) | HEVC (H.265) |
|---|---|---|
| Compression efficiency | Good | ~50% better than H.264 |
| Typical 1080p file size | ||
| 4K support | Limited | Full native support |
| Encoding speed | Fast | Slower (more complex algorithm) |
| Device playback | Universal | Most modern devices (2017+) |
| Editing software support | Universal | Premiere Pro, Final Cut, DaVinci |
| Royalty status | Licensed | Licensed |
Use Cases
- Camcorder footage archival — Reduce years of Sony/Canon/Panasonic MTS recordings to half the storage space without quality loss.
- Cloud sharing — Upload HEVC files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud faster and use less quota than raw MTS files.
- 4K future-proofing — HEVC handles 4K content efficiently. If your camcorder shoots 1080p MTS, converting to HEVC prepares your workflow for higher resolutions.
- Mobile editing — Smaller HEVC files are easier to work with on tablets and laptops with limited storage and processing power.
How much smaller will my HEVC file be?
Typically 40–50% smaller than the original MTS file at the same visual quality. A 4 GB MTS recording usually converts to a 2–2.5 GB HEVC file using the "Very High" Quality Preset.
Will I lose video quality converting MTS to HEVC?
With the "Very High" or "Highest" Quality Preset, the output is visually indistinguishable from the original MTS footage. Both are lossy codecs, so there is a theoretical generation loss, but it is imperceptible at high quality settings.
Can I play HEVC files on my computer?
Most modern devices support HEVC: Windows 10/11 (with HEVC extension), macOS 10.13+, iOS 11+, and Android 5.0+. Older systems may need a free codec pack or VLC media player.
What camcorders produce MTS files?
Sony Handycam, Canon VIXIA/LEGRIA, Panasonic HC series, and JVC Everio camcorders all record in the AVCHD format using .mts or .m2ts file extensions.
Can I change the video codec to something other than HEVC?
Yes. Under the Video Codec option in Advanced settings, you can switch to H.264, AV1, VP9, MPEG-2, and many others. HEVC (H.265) is the default because it offers the best balance of compression and compatibility for camcorder footage.