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Convert MTS to MOV - Camcorder Footage Ready for Mac

Transform AVCHD camcorder videos to QuickTime MOV. Edit in Final Cut Pro or iMovie instantly.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Camcorder Videos Not Working on Mac?

You recorded important footage with your Sony, Panasonic, or Canon camcorder. Now you want to edit it in Final Cut Pro or iMovie, but your Mac struggles with the MTS files. The video plays choppy, won't import, or gives codec errors.

MTS is the AVCHD format camcorders use to record high-definition video. While technically excellent, these files need significant processing power to handle. Converting to MOV format gives you smooth playback and native Mac compatibility without the headaches.

How to Convert MTS to MOV

  1. Upload your MTS file - Drag and drop from your camcorder's memory card or select from your computer
  2. Confirm MOV as output - MOV is pre-selected as the ideal format for Mac workflows
  3. Download your MOV file - Ready for immediate editing in any Mac video application

The entire conversion happens in your browser. No software to install, no accounts to create. Upload, convert, done.

Why MTS Files Are Difficult

AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) was designed for camcorders in the late 2000s. The format prioritizes recording efficiency over editing flexibility:

  • CPU intensive - MTS requires significant processing power to decode smoothly
  • Complex file structure - AVCHD uses a folder-based system that confuses some applications
  • Limited software support - Many editors struggle with native AVCHD handling
  • Timeline lag - Scrubbing through MTS footage causes stuttering and delays

In our testing, even modern Mac systems showed noticeable lag when editing raw MTS files. Converting to MOV eliminated these issues completely.

MOV: The Mac Video Standard

MOV was created by Apple specifically for QuickTime. This gives it inherent advantages on Mac systems:

  • Native support - macOS handles MOV without additional codecs
  • QuickTime optimized - Smooth playback in Apple's built-in player
  • Final Cut Pro ready - Import directly without transcoding delays
  • iMovie compatible - Works seamlessly with consumer editing software
  • Efficient editing - Scrub and preview without rendering

Both MTS and MOV can use H.264 video compression. This means conversion preserves your original quality while gaining Mac compatibility.

Common MTS to MOV Scenarios

Wedding and Event Videography

You shot hours of wedding footage on a professional camcorder. Now you need to edit it into a polished video. Converting to MOV first makes the editing process dramatically smoother.

Family Archives

Years of birthday parties, holidays, and milestones recorded on your camcorder. You want to compile highlights into shareable videos on your Mac. MOV makes this project manageable.

YouTube Content

Creating content with a dedicated camcorder for better image quality. MOV streamlines your workflow from recording to final upload, especially if you edit in Final Cut Pro.

Business Presentations

Product demos or training videos recorded on company equipment. Converting to MOV ensures smooth playback across all Mac systems during meetings and presentations.

What About MP4 Instead?

Both MOV and MP4 work well for video editing. Here's when to choose each:

  • MOV - Best for Mac-focused workflows, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, QuickTime playback
  • MP4 - Better for cross-platform sharing, web uploads, Windows compatibility

If your videos will primarily be edited and viewed on Mac, MOV is the natural choice. If you need to share with Windows users or upload to various platforms, consider converting to MP4 instead.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs directly in your browser:

  • macOS, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge
  • Desktop and laptop computers

Convert MTS files from any computer, even if you're away from your main editing setup. No software downloads required.

Pro Tip

Before converting, check if your camcorder recorded in 1080i (interlaced) or 1080p (progressive). Most AVCHD camcorders use 1080i. The converted MOV will maintain this, which is fine for most editing but worth knowing for broadcast work.

Common Mistake

Trying to edit raw MTS files directly in Final Cut Pro or iMovie, then blaming the computer when playback lags. The format itself is the issue. Converting to MOV before editing saves hours of frustration.

Best For

Mac users with camcorder footage who need to edit in Final Cut Pro, iMovie, or other Apple applications. MOV provides the smoothest native experience for Mac-based video editing workflows.

Not Recommended

If you're primarily sharing videos with Windows users or uploading to multiple platforms, MP4 offers better universal compatibility. MOV is specifically optimized for Apple ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions

MTS is the file extension for AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) video. It's the format used by Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and other HD camcorders to record high-definition footage directly to memory cards or hard drives.

No quality loss occurs when done properly. Both formats support H.264 video compression, so the conversion transfers your footage without degrading the image. We maintain high-quality encoding throughout the process.

AVCHD is a recording-optimized format that requires significant CPU power to decode. Mac systems can struggle with real-time playback and editing of raw MTS files. Converting to MOV provides a format macOS handles natively.

Yes. Final Cut Pro handles MOV files natively without additional transcoding. Your converted footage will import immediately and edit smoothly on the timeline.

Absolutely. iMovie works seamlessly with MOV files. After conversion, you can import your camcorder footage directly into iMovie without compatibility issues or performance problems.

Conversion time depends on file size and your internet connection for the initial upload. A typical 10-minute HD video converts in 2-5 minutes. Longer files take proportionally more time.

Yes. Upload multiple MTS files and convert them all to MOV in a single batch. This is especially useful when processing an entire event or project with many clips.

Both are AVCHD formats. MTS files come directly from camcorders, while M2TS is typically used for Blu-ray content. Our converter handles both formats identically, producing MOV files suitable for Mac editing.

For YouTube specifically, MP4 is slightly preferred as it's the platform's recommended format. However, YouTube accepts MOV files without issues. If you're editing on Mac first, MOV works fine for the final upload.

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