Convert TS to MKV
Free online TS to MKV converter. No signup required.
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Max file size: 100 MB
Why Convert TS to MKV?
Understand when and why this conversion makes sense for your workflow.
Converting MPEG Transport Stream to Matroska Video is often necessary to ensure playback compatibility across media players, operating systems, and streaming services. Video formats encode footage using different codecs, container structures, and compression techniques, each with distinct trade-offs between file size, quality, and support. From sharing videos online to preparing files for professional editing workflows, the right format makes a significant difference in how your content is experienced.
MPEG Transport Stream has a known limitation: packet overhead results in slightly larger file sizes than MP4. In contrast, Matroska Video offers a key advantage: supports virtually any codec and unlimited tracks for audio, subtitles, and video. While MPEG Transport Stream is commonly used for digital television broadcasting (dvb, atsc, isdb), Matroska Video is better suited for high-definition movie and tv show storage with multiple audio and subtitle tracks.
With MegaConvert, you can convert TS to MKV online without installing software, preserving your video content accurately within the target format's specifications.
TS vs MKV: Format Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of the source and target formats.
| Property | TS (Source) | MKV (Target) |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .ts | .mkv |
| Full Name | MPEG Transport Stream | Matroska Video |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| File Size | Large | Medium |
| Best For | Digital television broadcasting (DVB, ATSC, I… | High-definition movie and TV show storage wit… |
| Browser Support | Varies | Wide |
How to Convert TS to MKV
Follow these simple steps to convert your file in seconds.
Upload your TS video
Choose your .ts file using the file picker or drag it into the upload area. Video uploads can take a few seconds for short clips and longer for high-resolution footage; the progress bar shows upload status separately from conversion. Files up to 100 MB are supported.
Start the MKV conversion
Click convert. Where the video codec is compatible with Matroska Video, the stream is repackaged without re-encoding to preserve original quality. Where re-encoding is required, we use industry-standard codec presets that balance file size against quality. Audio tracks are converted in parallel.
Wait for the video conversion to complete
Video conversions take longer than other file types because video data is much larger. A short clip might finish in 10 seconds; a 100 MB file may take a minute or two depending on whether re-encoding is required. The progress bar shows the percentage complete.
Download your .mkv file
When the conversion finishes, click the download link to save the new Matroska Video file to your computer. The file is yours — no watermarks, no expiration on the file itself, and no MegaConvert account is required to download it.
Tips for Converting TS to MKV
Practical advice to get the best results from this conversion.
Why this conversion is worth doing
MPEG Transport Stream has a known limitation: packet overhead results in slightly larger file sizes than MP4. Matroska Video addresses this with a key advantage: supports virtually any codec and unlimited tracks for audio, subtitles, and video. Converting from TS to MKV is most worthwhile when this specific trade-off matters for the way you intend to use the file.
Match the format to the actual workflow
MPEG Transport Stream is most commonly used for digital television broadcasting (dvb, atsc, isdb), while Matroska Video is the standard for high-definition movie and tv show storage with multiple audio and subtitle tracks. If your workflow is closer to the second pattern, converting makes sense. If you are still working in a context where TS is the norm, converting may create unnecessary compatibility friction with collaborators or tools that expect the source format.
Watch for this limitation in the MKV output
Matroska Video has its own limitation worth understanding before you commit: not natively supported by all hardware devices and smart TVs. After the conversion completes, open the MKV file and verify that this limitation does not affect your specific use case — for some workflows it is irrelevant; for others it can be a deal-breaker.
Avoid transcoding unless necessary
Every time you transcode (re-encode) a video, some quality is lost unless you use a lossless codec. If you only need to change the container format without changing the codec, use a remux (stream copy) operation instead of a full re-encode. This preserves original quality and is much faster.
Understanding TS and MKV Formats
Learn about the source and target file formats to understand what happens during conversion.
Source Format
MPEG Transport Stream
video/mp2tTS (MPEG Transport Stream) is a container format designed for broadcasting and streaming MPEG video over unreliable or lossy media. It divides content into small fixed-size packets (188 bytes) with error correction capabilities, allowing decoders to resynchronize after transmission errors. TS is the standard container for digital television broadcasting, Blu-ray discs, and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS).
Advantages
- Robust error recovery designed for unreliable transmission channels
- Standard format for digital TV broadcasting and Blu-ray discs
- Supports live streaming with HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol
Limitations
- Packet overhead results in slightly larger file sizes than MP4
- Not ideal for local file storage where error resilience is unnecessary
- Less convenient for editing compared to MP4 or MKV containers
Common Uses
- Digital television broadcasting (DVB, ATSC, ISDB)
- HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) video segments
- Blu-ray disc video storage
Target Format
Matroska Video
video/x-matroskaMKV (Matroska Video) is a free, open-standard multimedia container that can hold an unlimited number of video, audio, subtitle, and metadata tracks in a single file. It supports virtually any codec and is especially popular for high-definition video content with multiple audio and subtitle options. Matroska is designed to be future-proof with a flexible, extensible EBML-based structure.
Advantages
- Supports virtually any codec and unlimited tracks for audio, subtitles, and video
- Rich feature set including chapters, menus, metadata, and attachments
- Open standard that is free and widely supported by media players
Limitations
- Not natively supported by all hardware devices and smart TVs
- Larger overhead compared to simpler containers like MP4
- Not supported for direct playback in most web browsers
Common Uses
- High-definition movie and TV show storage with multiple audio and subtitle tracks
- Anime and media collections requiring multiple language options
- Video archival with comprehensive metadata preservation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about converting TS to MKV.
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