TS and M4A explained
MPEG Transport Stream was designed for broadcast, where a receiver might tune in at any moment. It is built from small self-contained packets, which makes it resilient to errors but awkward to edit.
M4A is an MP4 container holding only audio — usually AAC, sometimes Apple Lossless. The extension exists mainly so players know not to look for a video track.
- Where TS files come from
- AVCHD camcorders, TV recordings, and HLS streaming segments.
- Where M4A is used
- iTunes purchases, Apple Music downloads, voice memos and audiobooks.