Detailed Guide: How to Convert TS to MP4 with FFmpeg

Just started learning ffmpeg and I am trying to convert (both visual/audio) a .ts file to an .mp4. I tried the following command, and the output file is just the audio (a black screen for 1.5 hours): fmpeg -i input.ts -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output.mp4; What else should I try? " -- From Reddit

TS (Transport Stream) is a video format that is used to store video data on a DVD. It can compress video using the standard MPEG-2 codec. However, TS files are not widely supported by most media players and devices. If you want to play or edit TS files on your Windows PC, you may need to convert them to MP4, a more compatible and popular format.In this article, we will show you FFmpeg TS to MP4, a powerful command-line tool that can handle various video and audio tasks.

Part 1. Detailed Steps to Let FFmpeg Convert TS to MP4

FFmpeg is a free and open-source software that can encode, decode, transcode, filter, stream, and play media files. It supports a wide range of formats, including TS and MP4. To use FFmpeg to convert TS to MP4, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install FFmpeg

Before you can convert any files, you need to have FFmpeg installed on your computer. Here’s how to do it:

• Visit the FFmpeg official website to download the latest version of the software.
• Choose the appropriate version for your operating system and download the installation files.
• Follow the installation instructions provided on the website or within the downloaded files to install FFmpeg on your system.

Step 2: Access Your TS File

Once FFmpeg is installed, you need to locate the TS file you wish to convert:

• Open a command prompt window. On Windows, you can do this by typing cmd in the search bar and hitting Enter.
• Use the cd command to navigate to the directory containing your TS file. For example:
• cd C:\Users\username\Videos

Replace the path with the actual location of your TS file.

Step 3: Prepare the FFmpeg Command

With your command prompt open to the correct directory, you’re ready to prepare the FFmpeg command:

• Type the following command into the command prompt:
• ffmpeg -i input.ts -c:v copy -c:a copy output.mp4
• This command tells FFmpeg to convert the input TS file to an MP4 file without re-encoding the video or audio streams.

Step 4: Execute the Conversion

To start the conversion process, follow these steps:

• Replace input.ts in the command with the actual name of your TS file.
• Replace output.mp4 with your desired output file name.
• If you wish to re-encode the video or audio, replace copy with the desired codec, such as libx264 for video or aac for audio.
• Press Enter to execute the command and begin the conversion.

Step 5: Completion of Conversion

After pressing Enter, FFmpeg will start converting the file. The process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the TS file and the performance of your computer. Once completed, you will find the converted MP4 file in the same directory as the original TS file.

Part 2. The Easiest FFmpeg Alternative to Convert TS to MP4 without Losing Quality

Converting TS to MP4 with FFmpeg can be quite technical, as it requires familiarity with Command Prompt commands. Additionally, it can be difficult for regular users to memorize the specific commands needed for file conversion. Another limitation of FFmpeg is that it doesn't support batch conversion of TS files to MP4.

In such cases, if you find FFmpeg too complicated or inconvenient to use, you can try HitPaw Video Converter, a user-friendly tool that allows for batch convert TS to MP4 without compromising on quality, offering speeds up to 120x faster than traditional methods. It also has some built-in smart AI tools that can enhance your videos in a snap.

Features of HitPaw Video Converter

Here are some key features of HitPaw Video Converter:

• Convert video and audio files to/from 1000+ formats, including TS, MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, etc.
• Edit videos with basic and advanced features, such as trim, crop, rotate, flip, merge, add watermark, etc.
• Compress videos without losing quality.
• AI-based Auto Reframe to automatically change video aspect ratio to any size for popular social media platform.
• Popular video toolbox, inclucing GIF Maker, Image Converter, Background Remover, Watermark Editor, etc.

How to use HitPaw Video Converter?

Step 1: Open HitPaw Video Converter and either click "Add Video" to import your files.

Step 2: If desired, you can customize your video information by clicking on the file name to edit the title.

Step 3: For each file, select an output format by clicking the inverted triangle icon in the lower right corner.

Step 4: Select a target folder within the interface and initiate conversion by clicking "Convert"

Part 3: Other 7 Free Alternatives to FFmpeg TS to MP4

We have compiled a list of the top 6 online and offline platforms that offer free TS to MP4 conversion.

1. VLC

VLC is a open-source media player that also allows users to convert media files. It can not only play and stream media files but also convert them between a wide range of formats. With its conversion feature, you can transform TS file to an MP4 file. However, its file conversion speed is slower compared to tools like HitPaw Video Converter.

Here are the steps to convert a TS video to MP4 using VLC:

• Launch VLC Media Player and click on **Media**, then select Convert/Save.
• Click "Add" to import the TS video file you want to convert. Then, press the "Convert/Save" button.
• In the Profile section, choose MP4 as the output format.
• Click Start to begin converting the file.

2. Zamzar

This is a simple and fast online converter that can convert TS to MP4 in three steps. You just need to upload your TS file, choose MP4 as the output format, and enter your email address to receive the converted file. It also supports URL conversion, which means you can convert online videos from YouTube, Vimeo, etc. to MP4.

3. Convertio

This is a user-friendly online converter that can convert TS to MP4 without losing quality. You can also customize some parameters, such as quality, aspect ratio, codec, etc. The maximum file size is 100 MB for free users, and you can also upload files from URL, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

4. Online-Convert

This is a versatile online converter that can convert TS to MP4 and many other formats. You can also adjust some settings, such as resolution, bitrate, frame rate, etc. However, the maximum file size is limited to 100 MB for free users, and you may encounter some ads and pop-ups on the website.

5. AnyConv

This is a simple and efficient online converter that can convert TS to MP4 in a few seconds. You just need to upload your TS file, choose MP4 as the output format, and download the converted file. The maximum file size is 50 MB for free users, and you don’t need to register or provide your email address.

6. Flixier

This is a free and intuitive online video editor that can also convert TS to MP4 with high quality. You can also edit your videos before converting, such as trim, crop, add text, music, transitions, etc. It stands out for its user-friendly interface and rapid rendering to various platforms, including direct social media publishing.

7. Online Video Converter

This is a free and powerful online converter that can convert TS to MP4 and many other formats. You can also adjust some settings, such as resolution, bitrate, frame rate, etc. This platform is engineered to cater to a broad spectrum of conversion needs without the necessity of installing additional software.

Part 4: FAQs of TS to MP4 with FFmpeg

Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about converting TS to MP4 with FFmpeg:

Part 5: Final Thought

In this article, we have shown you the detailed steps on how to use FFmpeg TS to MP4, and also introduced some of the best alternatives to FFmpeg for computer and online. You can choose the tool that suits your needs and preferences, and enjoy your videos in MP4 format. However, if you want a fast, easy, and reliable way to convert TS to MP4 in batch, we recommend you to try HitPaw Video Converter, a powerful and user-friendly video converter for Windows. HitPaw Video Converter can convert TS to MP4 in just a few clicks, and also offer many other features, such as editing, compressing, and batch converting.