MTS to M4V - best video format?

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MTS to M4V - best video format?

I have multiple MTS video files on my disk and would like to know the best format for storage in Photos without loss of quality and be still be recognized as a video. I have converted several to M4V and quality seems ok, BUT the format isn't recognized as a "video" when selecting the Videos folder to view all the videos in the library. The file also isn't recognized by any Smart Albums...even after I change the date to the appropriate range in the Smart Album.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Sep 13, 2021 5:09 PM

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Answer 1

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TonyCollinet

Level 7

23,954 points

Sep 13, 2021 11:56 PM in response to Extraction

Hi

See here for compatible formats.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT209029

I would suggest H264 format in an MP4 container.

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Answer 2

Sep 14, 2021 12:50 AM in response to Extraction

Use H.264 or maybe the new H.265 a.k.a. HEVC codec with the same resolution as the original (I recommend scaling rectangular pixels to square pixels though i.e. PAL 720x576 to 768x576 or NTSC 720x480 to 640x480 for example. If necessary, deinterlace to get rid of comb lines). AAC codec for audio (maybe 128kbps, 48kHz although 44.1kHz might also be good if the original uses that). Use enough but not too much bitrate so the file size does ot bloat. I recently switched to H.265 because it might provide the same or slightly better quality with smaller files. Notice that you need macOS 10.13 or later for that.

The wrapper can be either a more common .mp4 or Apple's .m4v (they are basically the same with the only difference being that .m4v has an option for DRM). So if some app insists .mp4, you should be able to just change the suffix.

Archive the originals.

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MTS to M4V - best video format?

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