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MTS MOV
File conversion

Convert MTS to MOV

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Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 8, 2026
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Is it possible to convert MTS to MOV?
Yes - MTS converts to MOV.

You can do it right here with our free converter - no sign-up, and your file is deleted right after.

Upload your .mts file to the converter above and download a .mov in seconds - it is free. VLC and FFmpeg are the best desktop options if you prefer to work locally. Keep in mind that re-encoding always introduces some quality loss, so use a high-quality setting if the file will be edited further.

8 programs
Also to MOV: MXF · R3D · MPEG4

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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MTS → MOV converterFREE
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Why convert MTS to MOV?

MTS is the recording format used by AVCHD camcorders and does not play well outside dedicated software. Converting to .MOV makes footage work natively in Final Cut Pro and older Mac-based editing pipelines. Some Apple tools also import AVCHD directly, but pre-converting removes compatibility guesswork. For general sharing or web upload, MP4 is more widely supported than MOV.

How to convert MTS to MOV

VLC FREE

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add your .mts, set encapsulation to QuickTime/MOV with H.264 video and AAC audio, then click Start.

iMovie BUILT-IN

Import your .mts file into iMovie; it transcodes AVCHD automatically and lets you export as .mov.

Freemake Video Converter FREE

Add your .mts clip, choose MOV as the output format, and click Convert.

Command line - FFmpeg CLI

Run ffmpeg -i input.mts -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output.mov to re-encode with H.264 video and AAC audio.

Programs that convert MTS

Nero Multimedia Suite
Aimersoft iTransfer for Windows
Free Studio
Freemake Video Converter
MediaCoder
WinX Video Converter
iSkysoft Video Converter for Mac
Aimersoft iTransfer for Mac

About these formats

.MTS AVCHD Video (MPEG-2 Transport Stream)

An MTS file is HD video recorded by an AVCHD camcorder - Sony, Panasonic, Canon or JVC. The free VLC media player opens it on Windows, macOS and Linux with no extra codecs. To share or edit…

Open .MTS details →
.MOV Apple QuickTime Movie (.mov)

A MOV file is an Apple QuickTime movie - the default format for video recorded on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On a Mac, double-click it to play in QuickTime Player. On Windows 10/11, the…

Open .MOV details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Re-encoding always reduces quality compared to the original; use a high-quality preset (e.g. FFmpeg -crf 18) if the file will be edited further.
  • Consumer AVCHD cameras record 1080i (interlaced) - apply a deinterlace filter during conversion to avoid combing artifacts on fast motion.
  • Long recordings split into multiple .mts files; each converts separately, so concatenate them first if you need one continuous clip.

Frequently asked questions

Does converting MTS to MOV reduce quality?
Yes - re-encoding always introduces some generation loss. At high-quality settings the difference is barely visible, but the output is not bit-for-bit identical to the source.
Is MOV better than MP4 for AVCHD footage?
Not for general use - MP4 has wider device and web support. Choose MOV only if your editing software, such as Final Cut Pro, requires QuickTime files.
Why does my converted MOV look interlaced?
Your camera recorded 1080i. Enable a deinterlace filter (yadif in FFmpeg, or Decomb in VLC) during conversion to get clean progressive output.
Can I join spanned AVCHD clips into one MOV?
Concatenate the .mts files with FFmpeg first, or import the full AVCHD folder into iMovie or DaVinci Resolve and export from there.