TS file

Glossary

What is a TS File?

A TS file, short for Transport Stream, is a container file format for storing and transmitting audio, video, and other data. The TS file format was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). The TS file format has error correction and synchronization pattern features, which are critical for maintaining video quality during transmission, making it a preferred choice for streaming videos over less reliable transmission such as Over-the-air or Satellite Television.

What are the technical specifications of a TS file?

TS files use MPEG-2 compression, a standard that helps reduce the file size while maintaining high video and audio quality. The format organizes the data into small packets, typically 188 bytes each, then multiplexed together. This tiny packetized structure allows TS files to maintain synchronization of audio and video streams and makes them resilient to transmission errors.

Where are TS Files used?

Because of their error resilience, TS files are extensively used in various broadcasting systems, including satellite, cable, and terrestrial transmissions. For the same reason, TS files are also commonly used for live streaming and VOD (video-on-demand) streaming, enabling smooth streaming for users without any lag between the video and audio segments. They are also commonly found on DVDs, where video content is saved sequentially in multiple TS files (e.g., movie1.ts, movie2.ts).

What are the pros and cons of TS Files?

Pros:

  • Error Resilience and broadcast-friendly: TS files are designed to handle errors that may occur during data transmission, ensuring minimal impact on playback quality.
  • Synchronization: The tiny packets used in a TS file ensure that audio and video streams remain synchronized, which is crucial for a seamless viewing experience.

Cons:

  • Large File Size: Despite the compression, TS files can be relatively large, which may pose challenges for storage and online streaming.
  • Compatibility Issues: Not all media players support TS files natively, which may necessitate using specific software for playback or conversion. Even most online platforms like Facebook do not allow the uploading of TS files for sharing.
  • Obsolescence: With the advent of more advanced formats like MP4, the use of TS files has declined, making them less common in newer applications.

How do you open and play TS Files?

Several media players can open and play TS files. The most popular one that works across multiple OS is the VLC Media Player. Other options include the PotPlayer, which can play TS files on Windows. If you want to deliver TS files over the internet, ImageKit's video API can also stream these files using CDN-powered URLs for a smooth, buffer-free experience.

How do you convert TS Files to other formats?

Various software tools can convert TS files to more widely supported formats like MP4. For example, using ffmpeg, a powerful command-line tool, you can convert TS files to formats like MP4 without losing quality. The same would be possible with other video conversion tools like the MiniTool Video Converter.

Conclusion

TS files are a robust and versatile container format used mainly for broadcasting, streaming, and storing video on DVDs. While their use has declined with the rise of newer formats, they remain essential in specific applications where error resilience and synchronization are critical, such as live event streaming, VOD streaming, conferencing, etc.

If you want to deliver videos on your websites and apps, you can try ImageKit video API, which supports modern video formats and real-time optimizations, transformations, and streaming using a simple URL-based API.