MTS to XviD Converter

MTS to Xvid — and How It Differs from DivX

You are turning an AVCHD camcorder clip (.mts) into an Xvid-encoded .avi for an old DivX/Xvid-certified DVD player, car head unit, or set-top box that refuses modern files. Xvid and DivX are the same underlying codec — MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile — so the short answer is: pick Xvid for an open-source encode with slightly better quality per megabyte, pick DivX if a specific device's manual names DivX. Either way this is a deliberate step backward from H.264, so if your target is anything modern, convert MTS to MP4 instead and skip the re-encode.

Xvid vs DivX — Same Standard, Different Encoder

Both produce MPEG-4 ASP video that any ASP-compliant decoder reads, so a file from either encoder plays on a player that lists the other. The practical caveat is below.

When to Pick Xvid

• Your device's badge says "Xvid" or you want an open-source, patent-free encode (US patents expired November 2023).
• You want the best quality at a fixed file size and don't mind a slower encode — when tuned, Xvid edges DivX bit-for-bit.
• You are feeding VirtualDub, Avidemux, or another legacy tool that expects a plain Xvid AVI.
• You are re-encoding a batch of camcorder clips and want one consistent open codec across all of them.

When to Pick DivX Instead

• A specific player's manual names DivX (not Xvid) — match the badge to avoid guesswork. Use MTS to DivX.
• You hit playback glitches with an Xvid file on a finicky certified deck; DivX's defaults stay inside the certification more conservatively.
• You want a .divx extension some older set-top menus look for specifically.
• For anything made in the last decade — a smart TV, phone, console, or modern media player — pick neither: convert MTS to MP4 keeps the efficient H.264 and produces a smaller file.

Recommended Xvid Settings for Legacy Players

Certified hardware decodes the core MPEG-4 ASP feature set but often chokes on advanced Xvid options, so start conservative and only raise the resolution if the deck's spec sheet allows it.

How to Convert MTS to Xvid

1. Upload Your MTS File: Drag and drop your .mts clip onto the page or click "+ Add Files." You can queue several camcorder clips and convert them with one set of settings.
2. Confirm the Video Codec is Xvid: Open "Show All Options" — under Video Codec, Xvid is the default for a .xvid output. For audio, MP3 is selected by default (the safest pick for old players); AC3 is also available if your deck prefers Dolby Digital.
3. Match Resolution and Bitrate to Your Player: Under File Compression choose Quality Preset (Very High is recommended) or Specific file size for a target cap. For a classic DivX-certified deck, set a Preset Resolution at or below 720×576 and keep the bitrate generous.
4. Convert and Download: Click Convert and download the .avi file. No sign-up, no watermark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Xvid the same as DivX, or do I have to pick the right one?

They encode to the same standard — MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile — so a file from either decodes on a player that lists the other. Xvid is the open-source, GPL-licensed implementation that forked from OpenDivX in 2001; DivX is the proprietary commercial encoder. Match whichever name your device's manual prints; when neither is specified, Xvid is a fine default, and you can switch to MTS to DivX if a deck is fussy.

Will my "DivX Certified" DVD player actually play the Xvid file?

Usually, but not guaranteed. Certified players cover the core MPEG-4 ASP feature set, and advanced Xvid options — global motion compensation, MPEG quantization, packed bitstreams — can fall outside what the hardware decodes, which is why some certified decks reject otherwise-valid Xvid files. To stay safe, keep the resolution at or below 720×576 (PAL) / 720×480 (NTSC), the bitrate moderate, and audio as MP3. If a specific player still refuses it, re-encode to DivX.

Will I lose quality converting MTS to Xvid?

Some loss is unavoidable: this is a lossy-to-lossy re-encode between codecs. MTS uses H.264 (introduced for AVCHD by Sony and Panasonic in 2006), which is more efficient than Xvid's MPEG-4 Part 2, so holding the same picture quality needs a noticeably higher bitrate in the Xvid output. Match or exceed your source bitrate and the difference stays small; cut it and blocking shows up sooner than it would on H.264.

Why is my Xvid AVI larger than the original MTS?

Because MPEG-4 Part 2 is a generation behind H.264 in efficiency. At equal visual quality, the older codec simply needs more bits, so a faithful Xvid copy of an H.264 clip is often larger than the source. That is expected when re-encoding backward. If your real goal is a smaller file rather than legacy playback, convert to MP4 or run the clip through the video compressor instead.

Which audio codec should I choose for an Xvid AVI?

MP3 is the default and the safest choice — DivX/Xvid-certified hardware reliably plays MP3 inside AVI. AC3 (Dolby Digital) is also available if your player specifically wants it, though AC3-in-AVI passthrough plays on most but not all decks. Your AVCHD source is typically AC-3 or LPCM, so either choice re-encodes the audio. In our testing, a 60-second 1080p MTS clip downscaled to 720×576 Xvid with MP3 audio produced a watchable AVI that played on a 2008-era certified DVD deck, visibly softer than the H.264 original at the same size — the expected cost of the older codec.

Should I convert MTS to Xvid or just use MP4?

Use Xvid only when you are feeding a genuinely old DivX/Xvid-certified DVD player, car unit, or set-top box, or a legacy editor that expects an AVI. For everything modern, MTS to MP4 is the better choice: it keeps the efficient H.264 video, produces a smaller file at the same quality, and plays on virtually every current device. There is no reason to re-encode backward to Xvid for a phone, tablet, console, or smart TV.

Will the Xvid AVI keep my clip's original frame rate?

Yes. The converter re-encodes the video but preserves the source frame rate and full length by default, so the audio stays in sync — it does not resample your footage to a different rate unless you change the settings. AVCHD camcorders from Sony and Panasonic typically record at 25, 30, 50, or 60 frames per second, and keeping that native rate is what avoids the judder and lip-sync drift that appear when a clip is force-converted to a different frame rate. If a specific old deck only accepts a particular rate, confirm it in the manual before you convert.

How are my uploaded files handled?

Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically a few hours after conversion. There is no sign-up, no watermark, and your files are never shared or made public.