How to play MKV content on PlayStation 3 (PS3) (M2TS)

This guide shows you how to quickly create M2TS files from MKV files for PlayStation 3 (PS3) playback using the TsMuxer software.

Introduction & Requirements

TsMuxer - Download TsMuxer from the link and extract all the files to a folder using WinRAR.

The PlayStation 3 (PS3) console does not support the MKV / Matroska container, but it will support much of the audio and video that can be stored in the MKV container. This guide assumes that the video and audio of your MKV file are H.264 / AVC and AC3 audio. For the record, DTS audio does not work with this process, you need the MKV2VOB method for that.

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Open TsMuxerGUI.exe

tsMuxer Interface
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After you have extracted all the files from WinRAR to a folder, run the TsMuxerGUI.exe file. This program is not very complicated at all but what it achieves is ground breaking for PS3 video. This process used to take quite a while, but TsMuxer automates nearly the entire process now.

Anyway, let's get on with it. Make sure you are in the Input tab. Look at the blank Input files field, click the Add button beside this.

Open MKV file

Open MKV File
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Browse through your Hard Disk Drive for the folder that contains the MKV file that you want to play on the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. Double-click it when you find it.

TsMuxer will now take a moment to analyze the file before it shows you any streams.

Check Stream Information

MKV stream information
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If the MKV file was opened successfully, you should now be able to see the type of streams that you have in your MKV file. In mine, I have H.264 / AVC video (1280 x 720) running at 23.976fps (click to enlarge picture) and AC3 5.1 audio, very nice.

However, there is a problem. Look closely at the track info for my video. It says..

Profile: High@5.1

This is not good because the PS3 only supports up to Level 4.1, not 5.1. However, the fix for this is easy and built right into the tsMuxer program.

Change AVC video to Level 4.1

AVC Level 4.1
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Select the AVC stream that is set to Level 5.1 (if you have 4.1 or lower, skip this step) and you will see the options before the Tracks list changes (check my picture, click to enlarge).

Beside the Change Level option is a box. Click it and a green tick will appear. Now click the drop-down box and select 4.1 from the list. This should ensure that the video will play correctly.

Set to M2TS Muxing

Output = m2TS Muxing
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By default, tsMuxer is set to TS Muxing, which won't work for this process. Simply select the M2TS muxing option as I have done in my picture (click to enlarge). The option is located under Output.

You also can now choose where to save the new M2TS file if you wish, although the default will be the same folder and filename as the original MKV, but with a .m2ts extension. This is usually fine.

When you have done all of the above, click the Start Muxing button.

The Process

Processing
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How long this process will take depends on the length of the original MKV file, and of course, it's file size. Hope that there will be no errors!

Finally

We hope this short article will bring some new multimedia life to your PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. If you have any problems, please visit our PS3 Discussion forums.

Version History

v1.0 -- First version online by Dela (26/03/2008)