---
title: ".ts file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .ts file is a MPEG Transport Stream. The broadcast and streaming video segment format — also, confusingly, the TypeScript extension. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/ts/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .ts files

**.ts file: MPEG Transport Stream**

The broadcast and streaming video segment format — also, confusingly, the TypeScript extension.

## What opens a .ts file

- **Windows:** VLC, MPC-HC, Media Player (built in)
- **macOS:** VLC, IINA
- **Linux:** VLC, mpv

## What a .ts file is

An MPEG transport stream is the packet format used for digital TV broadcasting, PVR recordings and HLS streaming segments, designed so playback can start mid-file and survive errors. VLC plays a .ts video directly, and joining segments into one MP4 is a remux rather than a re-encode. Watch out for the name clash: TypeScript source files also use .ts. Tell them apart by opening the file in a text editor — TypeScript is readable code, a transport stream is binary garbage — or by size, since video files run to megabytes.

## Converting it

A .ts file is commonly converted to .mp4, .mkv, .avi or .mov. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .ts
- **Full name:** MPEG Transport Stream
- **Category:** Video
- **MIME type:** video/mp2t
- **Created by:** ISO/IEC (MPEG)
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .ts file?

On Windows use VLC; on macOS use VLC; on Linux use VLC. The broadcast and streaming video segment format — also, confusingly, the TypeScript extension.

### What is a .ts file?

MPEG Transport Stream. An MPEG transport stream is the packet format used for digital TV broadcasting, PVR recordings and HLS streaming segments, designed so playback can start mid-file and survive errors. VLC plays a .ts video directly, and joining segments into one MP4 is a remux rather than a re-encode.

### Can I convert a .ts file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp4, .mkv, .avi or .mov, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp4 — MPEG-4 Part 14 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp4/)
- [.mov — QuickTime Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/mov/)
- [.mkv — Matroska Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mkv/)
- [.avi — Audio Video Interleave](https://atoneplace.net/file/avi/)
- [.srt — SubRip Subtitle](https://atoneplace.net/file/srt/)
- [.webm — WebM Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/webm/)
- [.wmv — Windows Media Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/wmv/)
- [.mpg — MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mpg/)
- [.m4v — iTunes Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4v/)
- [.vtt — WebVTT Caption](https://atoneplace.net/file/vtt/)
- [.swf — Shockwave Flash Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/swf/)
- [.mts — AVCHD Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mts/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)