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.

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.

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.