How do I convert TS to MP4 without losing quality?

Use ffmpeg with the command: ffmpeg -i input.ts -c copy output.mp4. It copies the video and audio into an MP4 container without re-encoding, so there is no quality loss and it finishes in seconds.

Can VLC convert TS to MP4?

Yes. In VLC choose Media then Convert / Save (File then Convert / Stream on Mac), add the .ts file, pick the Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4) profile and start. VLC re-encodes, so it is slower than ffmpeg.

Guide · Files

How to convert a .ts file to MP4

Updated 28 October 2026 · 4-minute read

You saved a video and got a file ending in .ts. It plays fine in VLC, but QuickTime, your iPhone or your video editor won't open it. Good news: converting it to MP4 is free, and usually doesn't cost any quality at all.

What a .ts file is

TS stands for transport stream. It's the format many websites use to stream video in small pieces (how streaming works). Inside, the actual video and audio are usually the same H.264 and AAC you'd find in an MP4 — only the "box" around them is different. So most of the time you don't need to re-encode anything. You just move the video into a new box, which is fast and lossless.

Do you even need to convert?

If you watch on a computer, VLC plays .ts files directly — no conversion needed. Convert when you want to open the file in QuickTime, on an iPhone or iPad, in iMovie, or in an editor that doesn't accept TS.

Method 1 — ffmpeg (fastest, no quality loss)

If you're comfortable typing one command, this is the best way. It copies the video and audio into an MP4 box without touching the quality, and finishes in seconds even for long videos:

ffmpeg -i input.ts -c copy output.mp4

If an older ffmpeg version complains about the audio, add one option: ffmpeg -i input.ts -c copy -bsf:a aac_adtstoasc output.mp4. Free ffmpeg builds are available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Method 2 — VLC (no command line)

Open VLC and choose Media → Convert / Save (on Mac: File → Convert / Stream).
Add your .ts file and click Convert.
Pick the profile Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4), choose where to save, and start.

VLC re-encodes the video, so it's slower than ffmpeg and can lose a little quality — but it needs no typing.

Method 3 — HandBrake (also shrinks the file)

HandBrake is a free converter with a friendly interface. Open your .ts file, pick a preset like Fast 1080p30, and click Start. It re-encodes too, which takes longer, but it's the right choice if you also want a smaller file.

Which should you pick?

Want it perfect and fast: ffmpeg.
Want no command line: VLC.
Want a smaller file: HandBrake.

A tip for Vidtuck users

Vidtuck already saves most streamed videos as .mp4 when the stream allows it. You'll only get a .ts when the website itself streams in TS format — and then any of the methods above turns it into an MP4 in a minute.