TS to MPEG-2 Converter

How to Convert TS to MPEG-2 Online

1. Upload Your TS File: Drag and drop your .ts file, or click "+ Add Files" to browse. Batch uploads are supported — queue several recordings and convert them with the same preset.
2. Pick a Quality Preset or Bitrate: Default is "Very High (Recommended)" — fine for archiving DVR captures. Drop to High or Medium to shrink files for editing proxies. For exact control, switch to Constant Bitrate (4-9 Mbit/s for DVD-grade, up to 80 Mbit/s for studio masters) or Variable Bitrate with a target average. Use Constant Quality (QScale) when you want consistent visual quality regardless of scene complexity.
3. Set Resolution and Trim (Optional): Keep original to passthrough, scale by Resolution Percentage, or pick a Preset Resolution (1920x1080, 1280x720, 720x480 for NTSC DVD, 720x576 for PAL DVD). Use Width x Height for custom dimensions, and Trim → Time Range to cut out commercial breaks or station idents.
4. Convert and Download: Click "Convert." Each file is processed in your private session — no sign-up, no watermark, no third-party uploads.

Why Convert TS to MPEG-2?

A .ts file is an MPEG-2 Transport Stream — the container format that broadcasters, DVRs, and IPTV systems use to deliver video over noisy channels. Inside, the video is usually MPEG-2 (H.262) or H.264, wrapped in fixed 188-byte packets so a dropped packet doesn't corrupt the whole stream. Converting to a plain MPEG-2 Program Stream (typically .mpg/.mpeg) repackages the same video for storage and editing — DVD authoring tools, legacy NLEs, and set-top-box workflows expect program streams, not transport streams.

• DVD authoring — DVD-Video specifies MPEG-2 Program Stream with peak video bitrate around 9.8 Mbit/s. Most authoring suites (DVDStyler, ffmpeg-based tools) accept .mpg input directly but choke on .ts segments from a tuner card.
• Editing legacy footage — Older editors (Adobe Premiere CS-era, Sony Vegas, Avid Media Composer setups still running on archival projects) handle MPEG-2 program streams natively; TS often needs a remux first.
• DVR rescue — Hauppauge, HDHomeRun, and Tablo recordings land as .ts. Converting to MPEG-2 program stream gives you a clean, single-program file you can trim and burn to disc.
• Broadcast intermediate — Studios that still archive on Sony XDCAM, IMX, or D10 MXF rely on MPEG-2 video; converting from TS preserves the codec and avoids a generational re-encode.
• Maximum playback compatibility — Standalone DVD players, older PlayStation 2/3 firmware, and many in-flight entertainment systems play MPEG-2 program streams but not MPEG-2 transport streams.

TS vs MPEG-2 Program Stream — Container Comparison

Both streams can carry the same MPEG-2 video and audio — the conversion is mostly a repackaging job. If the TS already contains MPEG-2 video, xConvert can passthrough the codec; if it contains H.264, the video gets re-encoded to MPEG-2 (H.262).

Bitrate & Resolution Quick Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What's actually different between a .ts file and a .mpg file if both contain MPEG-2?

They're two "system" formats defined in the same ISO/IEC 13818-1 standard. TS uses fixed 188-byte packets with continuous sync markers — built for broadcast, where any packet can be lost. MPEG-2 Program Stream uses variable-length packets and assumes the storage is reliable. Editors and DVD tools usually demand the program stream; broadcast and IPTV gear emits the transport stream. The conversion mostly remuxes the elementary streams from one wrapper to the other.

Will my TS file pass through without re-encoding?

If the video inside the TS is already MPEG-2 (H.262) — common for older DVB-T captures, North American ATSC SD recordings, and DVR tuners — the converter can copy the video stream directly into the MPEG-2 program stream container with no quality loss. If the TS contains H.264 (most modern HD broadcasts), the video must be re-encoded to MPEG-2, which is lossy. Pick "Very High" preset or set a constant bitrate of 15-25 Mbit/s for HD content to minimize visible artifacts.

Why does my .ts file from a DVR have multiple audio tracks and I only need one?

Broadcast TS often carries multiple programs and language tracks (English, Spanish, descriptive video, an emergency-alert track). After conversion, the MPEG-2 program stream carries one program. xConvert keeps the primary video and audio pair by default — if you need a specific alternate language, use a desktop tool like ffmpeg to inspect track IDs first, then re-upload the relevant stream.

Can I author a DVD directly from the converted file?

Yes, if you keep within DVD-Video specs: 720x480 (NTSC, 29.97 fps) or 720x576 (PAL, 25 fps), video bitrate up to about 9.8 Mbit/s, audio as MP2, AC-3, or LPCM. Pick the matching Preset Resolution and a 4-8 Mbit/s Constant Bitrate, then import the .mpg into DVDStyler, Bombono DVD, or Adobe Encore (if you still have it).

My TS has the wrong aspect ratio after converting — it looks stretched. Why?

Broadcast TS often signals anamorphic 16:9 with a 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) frame. If the converter drops that flag, the player squashes the image to 4:3. Fix it by picking a Preset Resolution with the correct aspect or by setting Width x Height explicitly (854x480 for 16:9 SD, 1280x720 for 720p) and letting the encoder rescale instead of relying on signaling.

Should I use Constant Bitrate or Variable Bitrate?

Constant Bitrate (CBR) gives predictable file sizes — required for DVD authoring and many broadcast workflows. Variable Bitrate (VBR) saves space on low-motion scenes (talk shows, slides) and spends bits on action — better for archive or web delivery where size matters more than predictability. For most TS→MPEG-2 conversions destined for editing, VBR with a target of 8-15 Mbit/s is a good middle ground.

Can I convert MPEG-2 back to a transport stream if I need to restream it?

Yes — use Convert MPEG-2 to TS for the reverse direction. That's useful when you want to ingest an archived .mpg into an IPTV server, OBS Studio, or a hardware streamer that only accepts MPEG-TS.

What if my source is actually MP4 or MOV, not TS?

For MP4 → MPEG-2 use Convert MP4 to MPEG-2. If you need the modern direction (TS → MP4 for general playback), Convert TS to MP4 gives you H.264 in an MP4 wrapper. Use TS → MPEG-2 specifically when a downstream tool requires the older program stream container.

Is there a file size limit?

xConvert handles large broadcast captures — multi-hour TS recordings several GB in size convert without sign-up. Larger studio-grade archives may need an account for queue priority, but there's no watermark or paywall on the output.