How to Convert MOV to MTS — Quick & Free
Fast, instant MOV to MTS conversion. No signup required. Just drop your .mov file and get .mts in seconds.
Batch Settings
HDR data will be tone-mapped
Your MOV file may contain HDR (High Dynamic Range) data. MTS only supports standard dynamic range (SDR). Highlights and shadows will be compressed to fit the 8-bit range — subtle detail in very bright or dark areas may be lost.
Generation loss — quality may degrade
MOV uses lossy compression, and so does MTS. Converting means decoding and re-encoding — each cycle can permanently degrade quality. Convert from the original source file whenever possible.
Some metadata may not survive
Your MOV file may contain QuickTime atoms, chapter markers metadata. MTS has limited or no support for these metadata types. Location data (GPS), camera settings, and color profiles may be stripped during conversion.
Color depth reduction: 10-bit → 8-bit
MOV stores up to 10 bits per channel, but MTS supports only 8 bits. You may notice banding in smooth gradients (like sky or skin tones) where subtle color transitions are lost.
Default format on iPhone
Your device saves files in MOV by default (iPhone, iPad, Mac cameras). Most people convert because the files won't open on other devices — MTS is universally supported and will work everywhere.
What compression artifacts to expect
MTS lossy compression can produce blockiness (H.264). At the high quality settings CocoConvert uses by default, these are usually invisible to the eye. Lower quality settings trade visual fidelity for smaller file sizes.
About MOV to MTS Conversion
Short answer: yes, you can convert MOV to MTS online for free, and some quality differences may occur depending on the format types. Just upload your .mov file to CocoConvert, pick MTS as the output, and click Convert. The whole process takes seconds.
Now for the details. MOV is Apple's QuickTime container, commonly used by iPhones and professional video cameras. MTS (AVCHD) is the format from camcorders recording in high-definition AVCHD. Converting between these two formats lets you upgrade to a modern format.
Full Name: MOV uses QuickTime Movie, while MTS uses AVCHD Video. Compression: MOV uses Lossy, while MTS uses Lossy. Color Depth: MOV uses 8–10 bits (codec dependent), while MTS uses 8-bit.
Your MOV file is decoded and re-encoded as MTS. Your MOV file may contain HDR (High Dynamic Range) data. MTS only supports standard dynamic range (SDR). Highlights and shadows will be compressed to fit the 8-bit range — subtle detail in very bright or dark areas may be lost.
Common misconception: ""I'll convert to MTS and then back to MOV — it'll be the same"" — in reality, each lossy conversion cycle permanently degrades quality. going mov → mts → mov will produce a noticeably worse file than the original. always keep your source file.
CocoConvert runs entirely online — no software to install, no account to create. Your files are encrypted during upload (TLS), processed on isolated servers in Germany, and permanently deleted after 24 hours. It works in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and all mobile browsers.
Need to convert more than one file? Free users can do 5 per hour. Pro gets 100 per hour with files up to 5 GB each.
How to Convert MOV to MTS
- 1
1. Upload MOV
Drop your .mov file onto the page (or tap "Browse" on mobile). Add multiple files for batch conversion.
- 2
2. Select MTS
Choose .mts from the output dropdown. Settings are pre-configured for best results.
- 3
3. Convert
One click. The server handles all the heavy lifting using FFmpeg and Sharp.
- 4
4. Download
Your .mts file is ready. Download it directly or get all files as a zip archive.
What Happens When You Convert MOV to MTS
Your MOV video is transcoded — video and audio streams are decoded and re-encoded into the MTS container. This is a lossy process that takes time proportional to the video duration.
Your MOV file is demuxed — video, audio, and subtitle streams are separated
The video stream is decoded frame-by-frame, then re-encoded with MTS-compatible codecs (typically H.264 for MP4)
The audio stream is decoded and re-encoded (or copied if the codec is compatible)
Subtitle and chapter data is preserved where the target supports it
Streams are muxed into the MTS container and the file is saved
MOV vs MTS — Detailed Comparison
| Feature | .MOV | .MTS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | QuickTime Movie | AVCHD Video |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Color Depth | 8–10 bits (codec dependent) | 8-bit |
| HDR Support | Yes | No |
| Typical File Size | 100–300 MB per minute (ProRes), 50–200 MB (H.264) | 100–200 MB per minute |
| Platform Support | Very Wide | Limited |
| Browser Support | Limited | none |
| Year Created | 1991 | 2006 |
| Open Standard | No | No |
Should You Convert MOV to MTS?
When to Convert
- ✓You captured this file on iPhone and need to share it with others
When NOT to Convert
- ✗You're converting just because the file "seems old" — re-encoding lossy-to-lossy always degrades quality
- ✗You want to preserve HDR information — MTS only supports standard dynamic range
Common Mistakes When Converting MOV to MTS
"I'll convert to MTS and then back to MOV — it'll be the same"
Each lossy conversion cycle permanently degrades quality. Going MOV → MTS → MOV will produce a noticeably worse file than the original. Always keep your source file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MOV to MTS conversion free?
Yes. CocoConvert offers free MOV to MTS conversion with generous daily limits — 25 minutes of processing time and up to 5 files per hour (250 MB each). Pro plans remove these limits.
How fast is MOV to MTS conversion?
Most files convert in 2–10 seconds depending on size. Large video files may take 30 seconds. Batch jobs process in parallel for maximum speed.
What happens to my files after conversion?
Your uploaded MOV file and the converted MTS file are both automatically deleted from our servers within 24 hours. They are never shared, sold, or analysed.
Does converting MOV to MTS lose quality?
Your MOV file may contain HDR (High Dynamic Range) data. MTS only supports standard dynamic range (SDR). Highlights and shadows will be compressed to fit the 8-bit range — subtle detail in very bright or dark areas may be lost.
Can I convert MTS back to MOV?
Yes, CocoConvert supports MTS to MOV conversion as well. However, if the original conversion involved lossy compression, converting back won't recover the lost data.
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