Free online AVC to TS converter

Some broadcast tools, set-top boxes, and video editors require an MPEG transport stream rather than a raw H.264/AVC stream. Converting the file can package the existing AVC video in a .ts container without reducing quality when no codec change is needed.

What the AVC format is

AVC usually means H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, a video codec rather than a complete container format. A file with the .avc extension is often a raw H.264 elementary stream containing compressed video but no standard container metadata, audio track, or reliable presentation timestamps.

Raw AVC files can come from cameras, surveillance systems, broadcast encoders, Blu-ray authoring workflows, and diagnostic or capture software. Some programs instead use “AVC” to describe H.264 video stored inside an .mp4, .mkv, or other container, so inspect the file before converting it.

What the TS format is

TS, or MPEG transport stream, is a container designed for broadcast, IPTV, digital television, and streaming over networks where transmission errors may occur. It divides data into 188-byte packets and can carry H.264 video, AAC or AC-3 audio, subtitles, program information, and timing data.

A TS file is useful when a television system, hardware player, broadcast application, or streaming workflow specifically expects MPEG-TS. It also supports multiple programs and periodic synchronization information, but it normally uses more overhead than MP4 or MKV.

How to actually convert AVC to TS

Using FFmpeg without re-encoding

FFmpeg can remux compatible AVC video directly into an MPEG-TS container. This preserves the original video bitstream and avoids another generation of compression:

ffmpeg -f h264 -i input.avc -c:v copy -f mpegts output.ts

The -f h264 option tells FFmpeg that the input is a raw H.264 stream, -c:v copy copies the AVC data without transcoding, and -f mpegts selects the TS output format. Replace input.avc and output.ts with the actual filenames.

If the source is actually an MP4, MKV, or another container with H.264 video, omit the raw-input option:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -map 0 -c copy -f mpegts output.ts

This command copies compatible audio, video, subtitles, and other streams where MPEG-TS supports them. To copy only the video, use:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -map 0:v:0 -c:v copy -f mpegts output.ts

Raw AVC often has no frame-rate metadata. If playback speed or timestamps are wrong, supply the known frame rate before the input:

ffmpeg -f h264 -r 25 -i input.avc -c:v copy -f mpegts output.ts

Change 25 to the source frame rate, such as 23.976, 29.97, or 50. Use FFmpeg's probe utility to inspect the source:

ffprobe input.avc

Converting without installed software

You can convert the file for free on the 101convert.com website without installing software. Upload the AVC file, select TS as the output format, start the conversion, and download the resulting file. This option may not preserve unusual broadcast metadata or unsupported audio streams, so FFmpeg is preferable when stream control matters.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

Remuxing with -c copy does not re-encode the AVC video, so image quality and bitrate remain unchanged. The output TS container cannot create missing audio, subtitles, frame-rate information, or timestamps; those must exist in the source or be supplied separately.

A raw AVC stream may fail to play correctly if it lacks SPS/PPS parameter sets, contains unusual NAL-unit formatting, or uses timing information that the receiving device cannot interpret. If the target device rejects the copied stream, transcode it to a widely supported H.264 profile and add compatible audio:

ffmpeg -i input.avc -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac -b:a 192k -f mpegts output.ts

That command reduces compatibility problems but performs lossy video encoding. A raw AVC file normally contains video only; adding -c:a aac has an effect only when an audio input is available, so use a source container with audio or provide a separate audio stream.