MTS to TAR.BZ2 Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
Produce a TAR.BZ2 when a mirror, build script or legacy toolchain expects the classic .tar.bz2 release artifact. If your files are still in MTS format, this page is the shortcut: MTS is the raw AVCHD clip format Sony/Canon camcorders write — high-bitrate H.264 transport streams straight off the memory card.
This converter runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly — your files never leave your device, nothing is uploaded, and there are no watermarks, sign-ups or queues. Drop in several files at once to convert them as a batch.
How to convert MTS to TAR.BZ2
- 1
Select your files
Select your MTS file — it never leaves your device.
- 2
Convert instantly
The engine packs the file, byte for byte, into a TAR.BZ2 container — no re-encoding, no quality change.
- 3
Download results
Download the finished TAR.BZ2 archive.
About the MTS format
MTS is what actually comes off a Sony or Canon AVCHD camcorder's memory card: high-bitrate H.264 transport streams with AC-3/PCM audio, often split across a BDMV folder structure. The video inside is excellent — the container is what edit software refuses to import.
Converting MTS to MP4 remuxes or re-encodes into a container every device opens. Stream-copy is possible when the H.264 profile is baseline-compatible; otherwise a light re-encode fixes compatibility without visible loss.
+Strengths
- ✓Native camcorder quality (24-28 Mbps)
- ✓Audio in AC-3/PCM survives remux
- ✓ffmpeg handles the transport stream natively
!Limitations
- −AVCHD H.264 profiles not always stream-copyable
- −Interlaced variants need deinterlacing
- −60p modes confuse older editors
About the TAR.BZ2 format
TAR.BZ2 pairs the tar container with bzip2 compression — the classic release artifact of the 2000s Unix world. Bzip2's block-sorting algorithm compresses text and source trees noticeably tighter than gzip, which is why distribution mirrors and source releases favoured it for years.
Today it has largely ceded the top spot to TAR.XZ (smaller) and tar.gz (faster), but countless build scripts, mirrors and legacy toolchains still expect the exact .tar.bz2 artifact — and producing it is a matter of running the tar through a bzip2 encoder.
+Strengths
- ✓Tighter than gzip on text and source trees
- ✓Classic, universally supported on Unix-like systems
- ✓Deterministic, well-understood artifact for releases
!Limitations
- −Slow compression compared to gzip/zstd
- −Larger than TAR.XZ for the same content
- −Single stream — no random file access
Why convert MTS to TAR.BZ2?
There is a concrete reason this conversion exists: AVCHD H.264 profiles not always stream-copyable TAR.BZ2 sidesteps that — Tighter than gzip on text and source trees If that is your situation, the tool above settles it in seconds, entirely on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this MTS to TAR.BZ2 converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Is there a file size limit for MTS to TAR.BZ2?
The only limit is your device's memory, since nothing is uploaded. Files up to a few hundred megabytes work fine on a modern desktop browser; very large files simply take a little longer.
Will the audio track be kept?
Yes. The audio is carried over and re-encoded to the standard audio codec of TAR.BZ2, staying in sync with the video. If your MTS file has multiple audio tracks, the first one is used.
Does converting MTS to TAR.BZ2 re-encode my video?
Yes. The video is decoded and re-encoded with the settings chosen by the quality slider, which is what allows the format and size to change. For an archival copy, keep higher quality; for sharing, lower quality gives a much smaller file.