Audio Trapped in Camcorder Videos?
You have hours of footage from your camcorder, but what you really want is just the audio. Maybe it's a family member's voice, a musical performance, or ambient sounds from a trip. MTS files are great for HD video, but they're not exactly portable audio players.
Converting MTS to MP3 extracts the audio track and gives you a file that plays anywhere. In our testing, a 1GB MTS video typically produces an MP3 around 20-30MB, making it far easier to store and share.
How to Convert MTS to MP3
- Upload your MTS file - Drag and drop or click to select your MTS video
- Select MP3 as output - Choose MP3 for maximum compatibility
- Download your audio - Get your extracted MP3 file instantly
The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting.
What is an MTS File?
MTS stands for MPEG Transport Stream and is the format used by AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) camcorders. Brands like Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and JVC have used this format extensively for HD recording since the mid-2000s.
MTS files contain both video (typically H.264/AVC) and audio (usually AC3 or LPCM). The audio quality is often quite good since camcorders prioritize capturing clear sound. When you convert to MP3, you're extracting this audio track and encoding it in a universally compatible format.
Why Extract Audio from MTS Videos?
Preserve Voices and Memories
Those old camcorder recordings of family gatherings often capture irreplaceable audio. Extracting voices of loved ones into MP3 format preserves them in a format you can keep forever.
Create Portable Audio
MP3 files play on every phone, car stereo, and music player. Once extracted, your audio goes wherever you do.
Repurpose Video Content
Recorded a speech, interview, or musical performance? Extract the audio for podcasts, audio archives, or music collections without keeping the massive video file.
Save Storage Space
If you only need the audio, there's no reason to keep gigabytes of video data. MP3 files are typically 95% smaller than the original MTS.
MTS vs MP3: Technical Comparison
Understanding what changes during conversion helps set expectations:
- MTS audio codec - Usually AC3 (Dolby Digital) at 256-384 kbps or LPCM (uncompressed)
- MP3 output - Compressed audio at 128-320 kbps, highly compatible
- Quality - At 192 kbps or higher, most people cannot distinguish MP3 from the original
- File size - Dramatic reduction since you're discarding all video data
For archival quality, consider MTS to WAV conversion, which preserves the audio without any compression. For everyday listening, MP3 offers the best balance of quality and file size.
When to Choose Different Formats
MP3 is the right choice for most audio extraction needs, but alternatives exist:
- MP3 - Best for portable playback, sharing, and general use
- AAC - Slightly better quality at same file size, preferred by Apple devices
- WAV - Lossless audio for professional editing or archival
- FLAC - Lossless but compressed, good for archival with smaller file sizes
If you're unsure, go with MP3. It's been the standard since the 1990s and will play on absolutely everything.
Works on Any Device
Our converter runs entirely in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones
No downloads, no plugins, no registration. Just upload, convert, and download your MP3.