All about MTS files

MTS is the file format used by the AVCHD standard between approximately 2007 and 2015. Most HD camcorders used this format, so if you come across MTS files today, they are usually recordings from devices such as a Sony Handycam or Panasonic HDC models. The format is known for its high potential image and sound quality. Unfortunately, not all software supports MTS files directly.

Historical Background on MTS Files

On May 11, 2006, Panasonic and Sony announced the AVCHD standard in a joint press release^[1]. They introduced a format that enabled high-resolution video recording on the storage media available at the time. Originally developed for 8-cm DVDs, it was later also used on SD cards, Memory Sticks, and hard drives.
The first AVCHD camcorders hit the market in 2007; Panasonic’s HDC-SD1 for memory cards, Sony’s HDR-UX1 for 8-cm DVDs, and Sony’s HDR-SR1 with a built-in hard drive are just a few examples.

Technical Structure

MTS uses the MPEG-2 transport stream as a container. This is the same foundation used in digital television (DVB). MTS files typically contain video data in the H.264 codec, and Dolby Digital (AC3) or Linear PCM is used for the audio. The video resolution is usually 1920×1080 pixels or 1280×720 pixels.

Sources

Archive.org: "Panasonic and Sony Expand HD Digital Video Camera Recorder Format ‘AVCHD’ and Commence Joint Licensing"

Last updated on 24. March 2026 by Sören with the experience of more than 128,057,244 converted files since 2013.