Camcorder Footage Won't Play on Your Apple Devices?
You recorded family moments or events with your Sony or Panasonic HD camcorder, but now the MTS files won't play on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The AVCHD format these camcorders use isn't natively friendly with the Apple ecosystem.
Converting MTS to M4V solves this instantly. M4V is Apple's preferred video format, designed specifically for seamless playback across all Apple devices. Your HD footage maintains its quality while becoming perfectly compatible with iTunes, QuickTime, and every Apple device you own.
How to Convert MTS to M4V
- Upload your MTS file - Drag and drop your camcorder footage or tap to select from your device
- Select M4V as output - Choose M4V for optimal Apple device compatibility
- Download your video - Get your converted M4V file ready for playback anywhere
The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account required, no waiting in queues.
MTS vs M4V: Understanding the Formats
MTS (MPEG Transport Stream) is the file format used by AVCHD camcorders from Sony, Panasonic, and Canon. While it delivers excellent HD quality, it was designed for recording efficiency rather than universal playback.
M4V is Apple's video container format, structurally similar to MP4 but optimized for the Apple ecosystem. In our testing, M4V files play more reliably in iTunes and sync without issues to iOS devices compared to other formats.
Key Differences
- MTS - HD camcorder native format, limited device support, excellent recording quality
- M4V - Apple-optimized container, universal Apple support, maintains HD quality
When to Use This Conversion
Building a Video Library
Converting your camcorder footage to M4V lets you organize everything in iTunes or the TV app. Create a family video library that's accessible on any Apple device.
Sharing with Apple Users
Sending video to family members who use iPhones or Macs? M4V ensures they can open and play your footage without any compatibility warnings or codec issues.
Editing on Mac
While Final Cut Pro handles various formats, M4V integrates smoothly with Apple's media workflow. If you prefer keeping everything Apple-native, this conversion streamlines your editing process.
Alternative Formats to Consider
M4V isn't always the best choice. Here are situations where other formats work better:
- MTS to MP4 - Choose MP4 if you need universal compatibility across all devices, not just Apple
- MTS to MOV - MOV works better for professional video editing workflows on Mac
- MTS to MKV - MKV preserves more metadata and supports multiple audio tracks for archival purposes
If your footage will only be watched on Apple devices, M4V is the ideal choice. For mixed device environments, MP4 offers broader compatibility.
Quality and Settings
Our converter preserves the HD quality from your original camcorder footage. Most MTS files from consumer camcorders are recorded at 1080p or 1080i resolutions, and this quality carries over to the M4V output.
The conversion uses H.264 video codec, which is the standard for M4V files and provides an excellent balance between file size and visual quality. Your converted videos will look just as good as the originals when played on your Apple devices.
Works on Any Device
Convert MTS to M4V directly in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets
No downloads needed. Your files are processed locally in your browser for privacy and speed.