Free online TS to M4A converter

TS is a video container format commonly used for broadcast, streaming, and recorded transport streams. M4A is an audio-only file format based on the MPEG-4 container, typically used for AAC or ALAC audio with good quality and compact size. Converting TS to M4A usually means extracting the audio track from a TS video file and saving it as an M4A audio file.

Why convert ts to m4a

Converting TS to M4A is useful when you only need the audio from a video recording, such as a lecture, TV broadcast, concert, or stream capture. M4A files are smaller than TS files and are easier to play on phones, music players, and audio apps.

Best software for ts to m4a conversion

FFmpeg is the best overall choice for this conversion because it is fast, free, reliable, and supports nearly every media format. It can extract audio from TS files without quality loss if the audio codec is already compatible, or it can re-encode to AAC for broad compatibility.

Other good options include VLC media player for simple conversions and HandBrake for users who prefer a graphical interface. For batch processing and advanced control, FFmpeg remains the strongest option.

How to convert ts to m4a with ffmpeg

If the TS file already contains an AAC audio track, you can often copy it directly:

ffmpeg -i input.ts -vn -c:a copy output.m4a

If you need to convert the audio to AAC for better compatibility:

ffmpeg -i input.ts -vn -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.m4a

The -vn option removes video, while -c:a copy keeps the original audio stream unchanged. If the source audio is not AAC, re-encoding with -c:a aac is usually the safest choice.

How to convert ts to m4a with vlc

In VLC, open the TS file and use Media → Convert / Save. Add the file, choose a profile that outputs audio, and select M4A or an AAC-based profile if available. VLC is convenient for occasional conversions, though it offers less control than FFmpeg.

How to convert ts to m4a with handbrake

In HandBrake, open the TS file, go to the Audio settings, disable unnecessary video output if possible, and choose an AAC audio track. Then export the result and rename or save it as an audio-focused file if your workflow supports it. HandBrake is user-friendly, but it is primarily designed for video transcoding rather than pure audio extraction.

Tips for best results

• Use audio copy when the TS file already contains AAC audio and you want the fastest conversion.
• Re-encode to AAC if the source audio is AC3, MP2, or another format that may not play well in all devices.
• Check the audio track before converting, especially if the TS file contains multiple tracks or subtitles.
• Keep the bitrate reasonable, such as 128k to 256k, for a good balance of quality and file size.

Conclusion

FFmpeg is the best software for converting TS to M4A because it is accurate, flexible, and ideal for both single files and batch jobs. If you prefer a graphical interface, VLC is a simple alternative. For most users, extracting the audio with FFmpeg and saving it as M4A gives the best mix of quality, compatibility, and file size.