Does Plex support m2ts streams natively?
"I have several m2ts files in my movie/video folder, but they are not recognized by Plex. Is it required to convert these to an mkv or other supported format before Plex will pick them up and add them to my library? Based on a quick google search, it doesn't seem so, but I can't figure out why mine don't show up."
Although Plex can play nearly any media file you throw at it except image formats such as ISO, IMG, Video_TS, BDMV or other "disk image" formats, however, it's very likely that the M2TS is not supported by the Plex app that you are connected to a Plex Media Server. In that condition, the Plex Media Server will convert it on-the-fly. As the video transcoding will use a lot of CPU power, if you have a weak CPU, then it would much ideal for you to convert your media into a compatible format with your Plex app in order to reduce transcoding with the Plex Media Server.
Best tool to Convert M2TS for Plex playing
Here, you can easily fix the format incompatible issue by downloading a third-party M2TS Converter - Pavtube Video Converter. The application has perfect importing support for M2TS files produce from both Blu-ray disc and Sony AVCHD cameras.
Related article: Plex Supported File Formats | Play MP4 on Plex | Play 4K on Plex
With this powerful yet simple to use application, you can efficiently convert multiple M2TS files to various Plex client compatible file formats and parameters listed below:
Container: mp4
Resolution: 1920x1080 or lower
Video codec: H.264 (level 4.0 or lower)
Video Framerate: 30fps
Audio codec: AAC
Audio channels: 2
Bitrate: 20Mbps or lower
To get the compatible parameters, just click "Settings" to open "Profile Settings" window, then flexibly adjust the output video codec, bit rate, frame rate, resolution and audio codec, bit rate, sample rate, channels, etc to let them adapt with your Plex client.
For Mac users, you can switch to download Pavtube Video Converter for Mac to complete the conversion on macOS High Sierra, macOS Sierra, Mac OS X El Capitan, Mac OS X Yosemite, Mac OS X Mavericks, etc.
Step by Step to Convert M2TS Files for Plex Direct Playing
Step 1: Load M2TS files into the application.
After the successful installation, click "Load file(s)" or "Add video"to load M2TS files into the program.
Step 2: Set output file format.
Clicking the Format bar, from its drop-down list, select most Plex clients best compatible "H.264 HD Video (*.mp4)"under "HD Video" main category.
Step 3: Adjust output profile parameters.
Click "Settings" on the main interface to open "Profile Settings" window, here, you can flexibly adjust the output profile parameters including video codec, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, audio codec, bit rate, sample rate, channels, etc as you like to let them adapt with your Plex clients.
Step 4: Begin the final conversion process.
At the end, just go back to the main interface and press the "Convert" button to start M2TS files to Plex client conversion process.
Within a few minutes, you can get the converted video files you want by clicking the Open button. Then feel feel to add converted files to Plex library for streaming and playing on any devices as you like.
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Any Product-related questions?support@pavtube.com