MTS to MKV Converter

How to Convert MTS to MKV

1. Upload Your MTS File — Click "Choose Files" or drag and drop your MTS (AVCHD) video file. Only .mts files are accepted.
2. Choose Video Codec — Under Video Codec, the default for MKV output is H.264. Available codecs include H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1, VP8, VP9, MPEG-4, Theora, and others.
3. Set Video Quality — Under File Compression, choose from: Quality Preset (Highest through Lowest), Target File Size % (1-100% slider), Specific File Size (MB/KB), Constant Bitrate, Variable Bitrate, Constant Quality (CRF), or Constraint Quality.
4. Set Audio Codec — Under Audio Codec, the default for MKV is AAC. MKV supports virtually every audio codec: AAC, AC3, MP3, FLAC, Opus, Vorbis, DTS, and more.
5. Adjust Resolution (Optional) — Under Video Resolution, keep the original or choose presets (1080p, 720p, 480p, etc.) or custom dimensions.
6. Trim (Optional) — Under Trim, set a Start Time and Duration to extract a specific segment.
7. Convert & Download — Click "Convert" and download your MKV file.

Why Convert MTS to MKV?

MTS is the AVCHD format used by HD camcorders from Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and JVC. While MTS preserves excellent video quality, it has limited software support — many video editors, media players, and streaming platforms don't handle MTS well. MKV (Matroska) is an open-source container that supports virtually every video and audio codec, multiple subtitle tracks, and chapter markers. Converting MTS to MKV preserves full HD quality while making your camcorder footage playable in VLC, Plex, Kodi, and most media players, editable in DaVinci Resolve, Kdenlive, and other editors, streamable on home media servers (Plex, Jellyfin, Emby), and storable with multiple audio tracks and subtitles in one file.

MTS vs MKV Comparison

Common Use Cases

• Home media server — Convert camcorder MTS files to MKV for Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby libraries
• Video editing — MKV is better supported than MTS in open-source editors like DaVinci Resolve and Kdenlive
• Archival — MKV's open-source format and multi-codec support make it ideal for long-term video storage
• Multi-track audio — Add commentary or alternate language tracks alongside the original camcorder audio

Which video codec should I choose for MKV?

H.264 (the default) offers the best compatibility across players. H.265/HEVC produces ~40% smaller files but some older players don't support it. AV1 offers the best compression but is slower to encode. For Plex/Kodi, H.264 or H.265 are both excellent choices.

Will converting MTS to MKV lose quality?

Re-encoding involves some quality loss. Use "Highest" Quality Preset or Constant Quality (CRF) with a low value (18-23 for H.264) for visually lossless output. The main benefit is dramatically better software compatibility.

Can I keep the original audio track?

The default audio codec for MKV is AAC. If your MTS file contains AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio and you want to preserve it, change the Audio Codec to AC3. MKV supports virtually every audio codec.

Can I trim the video during conversion?

Yes. Under Trim, select "Time Range" and enter a Start Time and Duration in seconds or HH:MM:SS.sss format. This extracts only the segment you need from a long camcorder recording.

Is MKV or MP4 better for my camcorder footage?

MKV supports more codecs, subtitles, and chapters — ideal for media servers and archival. MP4 has broader device support (phones, smart TVs, social media). Use MKV for home media libraries and MP4 for sharing. See MTS to MP4 for the MP4 option.