TS to MP4
HLSMate merges the MPEG-TS segments behind an HLS stream into one MP4 file, in the browser, without re-encoding.
Why a stream leaves you with many TS files
HLS cuts a video into short segments, typically two to six seconds each, and wraps them in MPEG-TS. A playlist (M3U8) lists those segments in order. A player joins them on the fly, but a plain download only gives you the individual pieces, and most desktop players will not open a folder of segments as one continuous video.
How HLSMate turns TS segments into MP4
- Reads the playlist and resolves every segment URL, including byte-range entries.
- Downloads the segments concurrently and retries the ones that fail.
- Writes the elementary streams into an MP4 container without re-encoding.
- Verifies that the result actually has a video track and warns you if it does not.
How to do it (4 steps)
- Install HLSMate in Chrome or Edge and open the page that plays the video.
- Start playback for a few seconds so the player requests the playlist.
- Open the popup, choose the HLS stream, and pick the resolution you want.
- Press start, wait for the progress to reach 100%, then save the MP4.
TS versus MP4: what changes
MPEG-TS is a transport format: it is built for streaming, tolerates lost packets, and carries timing information that a player needs while data is still arriving. MP4 is an indexed container designed for storage and seeking. Converting means changing the packaging, not the picture, so the video and audio bitstreams stay exactly as the site delivered them.
What does not work, and what to keep in mind
- Encrypted playlists (AES-128, SAMPLE-AES) and DRM are not supported and are rejected with an error.
- Very long live streams keep growing; you only get the part that is still available when you start.
- A failed segment makes the whole file incomplete, so watch for the retry warnings on the downloader page.
- Check that you are allowed to keep the material before saving it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install ffmpeg?
No. HLSMate runs a WebAssembly build of ffmpeg inside the extension's downloader page, so nothing has to be installed on your system.
Is the video re-encoded?
No. Segments are copied into the MP4 container as they are, so quality and file size stay essentially the same as the source.
Can I convert existing .ts files on my disk?
Not with the extension. HLSMate works on a stream while it is reachable in the browser; local files need a desktop tool.
Why does the result have no sound?
Some sites deliver audio as a separate playlist. Pick the audio track on the downloader page before saving, or use the merge button afterwards.