Working with m2ts Files

[Nordo22]

Hi
I'm going through all my old videos which I transferred onto my pc many years ago.
I've been pruning out the rubbish using Avidemux, before I try to do some sort of restoration.
Working with the older files (.avi) has been easy.
But I've now come across some more modern files.
Each video is has .m2ts, .m2ts.idx2, .m2ts.modd, and .m2ts.moff.

How do I work with these?
Do I just work with the .m2ts only?
And for basic trimming out unwanted sections in these files, is Avidemux still the best tool to use?

[Secoast]

Avidemux can edit .m2ts, but it will only export the video and audio streams, not the additional data files.
Also, it will not export as .m2ts. However, .mkv would be a good alternative. Just depends on whether you need the data files to remain or not.

[Sharc]

Hi
Each video is has .m2ts, .m2ts.idx2, .m2ts.modd, and .m2ts.moff.

How do I work with these?
Do I just work with the .m2ts only?

Yes, .m2ts only is fine. The other files are remnants of some viewers/editors.
(They might be used when one wants to seamlessly continue a previoulsly interrupted edit/wieving with the same viewer/editor)

[Secoast]

Be aware that as well as creation times etc. If your camera was an actioncam that was able to store GPS data, this will also be lost. These are usually stored in moff files.

[Nordo22]

Avidemux can edit .m2ts, but it will only export the video and audio streams, not the additional data files.
Also, it will not export as .m2ts. However, .mkv would be a good alternative. Just depends on whether you need the data files to remain or not.

Thanks.

All I'm trying to do at the moment is trim out all the rubbish.
I've been using Avidemux for my older transferred files which were in .avi. But wasn't sure if Avidemux was the best for the newer/more advanced files.

Once I've done all the trimming, then I'll start looking at splicing, fade outs, etc. (software suggestions?)
Then some image restoring (some videos are std 8mm and super 8mm, as well as SD and HD camcorder).
Finally maybe some low loss compression.
Not really interested in titles, etc., as the file name should be enough.

Currently we never watch any of these home videos because by today's viewing standards, they are virtually unwatchable.

[Nordo22]

Hi
Each video is has .m2ts, .m2ts.idx2, .m2ts.modd, and .m2ts.moff.

How do I work with these?
Do I just work with the .m2ts only?

Yes, .m2ts only is fine. The other files are remnants of some viewers/editors.
(They might be used when one wants to seamlessly continue a previoulsly interrupted edit/wieving with the same viewer/editor)

Thanks Sharc.
See my comments to Secoast.

[Nordo22]

Be aware that as well as creation times etc. If your camera was an actioncam that was able to store GPS data, this will also be lost. These are usually stored in moff files.

I thought those extra files were just metadata/ GPS, etc., but just wanted to be sure.
Thanks.

[Nordo22]

Sorry guys, another quick question.

As I'm just trimming out unwanted bits of the m2ts files, I will be setting the Outputs as "Copy".
But what should I set as the "Output Format"?

A bit of searching on the VideoHelp forum indicates problems with m2ts and Avidemux.
Maybe I should be trimming with something else?

[Alwyn]

Perhaps M2TS are not all the same, but, after a trim, I did a quick Copy-Copy test with AVIDemux with muxer output set to MKV and had no problems. Happened pretty quick so I assume it smart-copied it.

[Sharc]

Perhaps M2TS are not all the same, but, after a trim, I did a quick Copy-Copy test with AVIDemux with muxer output set to MKV and had no problems. Happened pretty quick so I assume it smart-copied it.

It cuts at I-frames, i.e. not frame-accurate. Otherwise it would have to re-encode the transition (smart rendering).

[Secoast]

Perhaps M2TS are not all the same, but, after a trim, I did a quick Copy-Copy test with AVIDemux with muxer output set to MKV and had no problems. Happened pretty quick so I assume it smart-copied it.

It cuts at I-frames, i.e. not frame-accurate. Otherwise it would have to re-encode the transition (smart rendering).

Yes, it automatically aligns to the nearest I-frame, if exporting in Copy mode. You just use the I-frame buttons to navigate if you need to see exactly what output you will get.
My panasonic camcorder places I-frames less than one second apart. More than adequate for trimming out the dross.
Saving as .mkv would be the best option.

One piece of advice. I recommend installing the latest nightly build of Avidemux (2.8.2), if not already installed.

https://www.avidemux.org/nightly/win64/

As for other software, it really depends on what you are going to be doing. Avidemux can do a lot, but it is not a multitrack editor, so has some limitations.
I personally have no experience with restoring old footage, although I am just about to convert some old 8mm cine film to digital. Avisynth, or a variation of, seems to be the common recommendation here. Bit of a learning curve though!

[Nordo22]

Thanks everyone.
BTW, what's the difference between the win64 version and the win64Qt5 version.
I have Windows 11.

[Secoast]

BTW, what's the difference between the win64 version and the win64Qt5 version.
I have Windows 11.

Just the way you install them, although both are basically portable. Sometimes, one version will be updated before another, but no significant differences.

[Nordo22]

BTW, what's the difference between the win64 version and the win64Qt5 version.
I have Windows 11.

Just the way you install them, although both are basically portable. Sometimes, one version will be updated before another, but no significant differences.