Hey everyone,
I recently converted a Blu-ray .m2ts file to .mkv using ffmpeg with the -c copy option to avoid any re-encoding or quality loss. The resulting file plays fine and seems identical, but I noticed something odd:
- The original
.m2ts file is 6.80 GB
- The
.mkv version is 6.18 GB
- The average bitrate reported for the MKV is slightly lower too:
- M2TS :=37766375bps, MKV: =35828468bps
I know MKV has a more efficient container format and that this size difference is expected due to reduced overhead, but part of me still wonders: can I really trust MKV to retain 100% of the original quality from an M2TS file?
Here's why I care so much:
I'm planning to archive a complete TV series onto a long-lasting M-Disc Blu-ray and I want to make sure I'm using the best possible format for long-term preservation and maximum quality, even if it means using a bit more space.
What do you all think?
Has anyone done deeper comparisons between M2TS and MKV in terms of technical fidelity?
Is MKV truly bit-for-bit identical when using -c copy, or is sticking with M2TS a safer bet for archival?
Would love to hear your insights and workflows!
Thanks!