MPEG-TS to IP converter is a common search term used by engineers, system integrators, broadcasters, video equipment manufacturers, and OEM customers looking for a way to transport MPEG Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) through an Ethernet or IP network.
However, the term “MPEG-TS to IP converter” can describe several different types of equipment.
The actual solution depends on the MPEG-TS input interface, required IP protocol, transport bitrate, latency, number of channels, and whether the customer needs a standard converter or a customized embedded board.
This article explains what customers usually mean when they search for an MPEG-TS to IP converter, what information should be confirmed before selecting hardware, and how a customized solution can be developed for special applications.
What Is an MPEG-TS to IP Converter?
An MPEG-TS to IP converter generally receives an MPEG Transport Stream and transports or encapsulates the TS stream over an Ethernet/IP network.
A typical application looks like this:
MPEG-TS Source → MPEG-TS to IP Converter → Ethernet → UDP/RTP/IP Network
The MPEG-TS source may come from different interfaces, such as:
- ASI
- SPI
- Serial TS
- USB
- Ethernet
- A digital video receiver
- A COFDM receiver
- A satellite receiver
- A video encoder
- A custom embedded system
The IP output may use protocols such as:
- UDP
- RTP
- Unicast
- Multicast
- TS over IP
- Other customer-specific transport protocols
Therefore, simply specifying “MPEG-TS to IP converter” is usually not enough to select the correct hardware.
Why Do Customers Search for “MPEG-TS to IP Converter”?
A customer may already have an MPEG-TS stream but want to distribute the stream through an Ethernet network instead of using a traditional transport interface.
For example:
MPEG-TS Source
│
▼
┌───────────────────────┐
│ MPEG-TS to IP │
│ Converter │
└───────────────────────┘
│
│ Ethernet
▼
UDP / RTP / Multicast
│
├──────────────► Decoder
├──────────────► Server
└──────────────► Network Device
This can simplify system architecture and make it easier to transmit video streams over existing Ethernet infrastructure.
Typical applications include:
- Digital TV systems
- DVB systems
- Satellite TV
- COFDM wireless video
- IPTV
- Broadcast contribution
- Video monitoring
- Video distribution
- Mobile video systems
- Industrial video systems
- OEM video equipment
- Custom embedded video systems
MPEG-TS to IP Does Not Always Mean the Same Thing
One of the most important points when evaluating an MPEG-TS to IP converter is the input interface.
For example, a customer may say:
“I need an MPEG-TS to IP converter.”
But what they actually need could be:
1. ASI to IP
A very common requirement in professional digital video systems is:
ASI → IP
ASI Input
│
▼
ASI to IP Converter
│
▼
Ethernet
│
▼
UDP / RTP / Multicast
If the customer has an ASI output from a receiver, multiplexer, or other broadcast equipment, an ASI-to-IP gateway may be the correct solution.
2. SPI TS to IP
Some embedded video systems output MPEG-TS through an SPI interface.
The required architecture may therefore be:
SPI MPEG-TS → Ethernet/IP
This type of solution is particularly relevant to embedded equipment manufacturers because the customer may need a small OEM board rather than a complete rack-mounted converter.
3. MPEG-TS over Ethernet
Sometimes the customer already has an MPEG-TS stream available inside an Ethernet-based system.
In this case, the requirement may be related to transporting the TS stream using:
- UDP
- RTP
- Multicast
- Unicast
- TS over IP
The hardware requirements can be very different from a physical ASI-to-IP converter.
4. Video Encoder to IP
Another possible misunderstanding is that the customer may actually need:
HDMI / SDI / CVBS → H.264/H.265 → IP
This is not the same as MPEG-TS to IP.
A video encoder compresses raw video into a codec such as H.264 or H.265 and then transports the compressed stream over IP.
For example:
HDMI / SDI / CVBS
│
▼
Video Encoder
│
▼
H.264 / H.265
│
▼
UDP / RTP / RTSP / SRT / etc.
Therefore, it is important to determine whether the customer already has an MPEG-TS stream or actually needs a video encoder.
What Should You Ask the Customer?
Before recommending or designing an MPEG-TS to IP converter, several technical parameters should be confirmed.
1. What Is the MPEG-TS Input Interface?
This is usually the first question.
Ask:
What is your MPEG-TS input interface?
Possible answers include:
- ASI
- SPI
- Serial
- USB
- Ethernet
- Other custom interface
If the customer says ASI, the requirement may be an ASI to IP converter.
If the customer says SPI, an embedded SPI TS to IP board may be more appropriate.
2. What Is the TS Bitrate?
The required transport bitrate is also important.
For example:
- Low bitrate TS
- 10 Mbps
- 20 Mbps
- 50 Mbps
- 100 Mbps
- Higher bitrate
The Ethernet interface and processing platform should be selected according to the actual TS bitrate.
Ask:
What is the MPEG-TS bitrate?
3. Which IP Protocol Is Required?
“IP output” is not a complete technical specification.
The customer may require:
- UDP
- RTP
- Unicast
- Multicast
- TCP
- SRT
- A proprietary protocol
For MPEG-TS applications, UDP and RTP are common choices, while multicast can be useful when one stream needs to be distributed to multiple receivers.
Ask:
Which IP transport protocol do you need: UDP, RTP, unicast, multicast, or another protocol?
4. How Many TS Channels Are Required?
The customer may need:
- 1 × MPEG-TS input
- 2 × MPEG-TS inputs
- 4 × MPEG-TS inputs
- Multiple independent TS streams
For a multi-channel system, the hardware architecture and Ethernet bandwidth need to be considered carefully.
Ask:
How many independent MPEG-TS channels do you need?
5. What Ethernet Interface Is Required?
The customer may need:
- 100 Mbps Ethernet
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Multiple Ethernet ports
- RJ45
- SFP
- Custom Ethernet interface
For an embedded product, physical dimensions and connector position may also be important.
6. Is This a Finished Product or an Embedded Board?
This question is particularly important for OEM customers.
Some customers are looking for a ready-to-use converter with:
- Metal enclosure
- DC power input
- Ethernet connector
- Status LEDs
- Configuration software
Others need only an embedded PCB that can be integrated into their own equipment.
Ask:
Do you need a complete converter or an OEM embedded board for integration into your equipment?
Standard Converter vs. Customized MPEG-TS to IP Board
For a simple application, a standard MPEG-TS/IP converter may be sufficient.
However, many OEM projects require customized hardware.
For example, a customer may require:
- Custom PCB dimensions
- Specific input connector
- SPI TS input
- ASI input
- Multiple TS inputs
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Custom UDP/RTP packet format
- Multicast support
- Custom configuration interface
- Web-based configuration
- Serial control
- GPIO
- Low power consumption
- Industrial temperature operation
- Custom enclosure
- Private-label branding
- Customized firmware
In these situations, a standard commercial converter may not be the best option.
A customized embedded MPEG-TS to IP solution can be designed around the customer’s actual system architecture.
MPEG-TS to IP Converter for OEM and ODM Projects
For equipment manufacturers, the most important question is often not:
“Which converter should I buy?”
Instead, the question is:
“Can the MPEG-TS to IP function be integrated into my existing equipment?”
An embedded converter board can be designed to fit inside:
- Digital TV receivers
- Wireless video receivers
- COFDM systems
- Satellite receivers
- IPTV equipment
- Industrial video equipment
- Broadcast equipment
- Mobile video systems
- Network video equipment
- Custom video processing systems
This can reduce the size of the final product and eliminate unnecessary external interfaces.
MPEG-TS to IP Conversion vs. IP to MPEG-TS
Another common source of confusion is the direction of conversion.
MPEG-TS → IP
The system receives an MPEG-TS stream and transports it through an IP/Ethernet network.
MPEG-TS
↓
MPEG-TS to IP
↓
Ethernet
↓
IP Network
IP → MPEG-TS
The opposite direction receives an IP stream and outputs MPEG-TS.
IP Network
↓
IP to MPEG-TS
↓
MPEG-TS
Some systems require bidirectional conversion:
MPEG-TS
↕
Ethernet / IP
Therefore, when discussing an MPEG-TS/IP converter, always confirm the required direction.
Questions to Send to an MPEG-TS to IP Customer
If a customer sends only:
“Do you also have MPEG-TS to IP converter?”
A good technical response is to clarify the requirements before recommending a model.
You can ask:
- What is your MPEG-TS input interface — ASI, SPI, USB, Ethernet, or another interface?
- What is the TS bitrate?
- What IP output protocol do you need — UDP, RTP, unicast, multicast, or another protocol?
- How many MPEG-TS channels do you need?
- Do you need 100M or Gigabit Ethernet?
- Do you need a complete converter or an embedded OEM board?
- Do you have any requirements for dimensions, power supply, operating temperature, or enclosure?
- Is this for a standard application or a customized/OEM project?
A block diagram or specification from the customer can also be extremely helpful.
We Can Develop Customized MPEG-TS to IP Solutions
If your project does not match an off-the-shelf MPEG-TS to IP converter, a customized solution may be possible.
We can evaluate projects involving:
- MPEG-TS to IP
- ASI to IP
- SPI TS to IP
- IP to MPEG-TS
- TS over Ethernet
- UDP/RTP MPEG-TS
- Unicast and multicast
- Embedded MPEG-TS processing
- OEM/ODM video boards
- Custom PCB and firmware
The final hardware architecture depends on the input interface, TS bitrate, IP protocol, processing requirements, physical dimensions, and production quantity.
Send us your MPEG-TS input/output specification, interface requirements, and application diagram. We can evaluate the hardware architecture and recommend a suitable standard or customized solution.
FAQ
What is an MPEG-TS to IP converter?
An MPEG-TS to IP converter transports an MPEG Transport Stream through an Ethernet/IP network, typically using protocols such as UDP or RTP.
Is MPEG-TS to IP the same as ASI to IP?
Not necessarily. ASI is one possible physical interface carrying MPEG-TS. An ASI-to-IP converter specifically receives MPEG-TS through an ASI interface and outputs it over IP.
Can MPEG-TS to IP be customized?
Yes. OEM projects may require customized interfaces, PCB dimensions, Ethernet ports, protocols, firmware, enclosure, and other functions.
Can you convert SPI MPEG-TS to IP?
It depends on the SPI TS format and required bitrate. The SPI electrical interface, clock, data format, TS packet format, and IP output requirements should be confirmed first.
Can MPEG-TS be transmitted using UDP?
Yes. MPEG-TS is commonly transported over IP networks using UDP, including unicast and multicast configurations.
Do I need a video encoder for MPEG-TS to IP?
Not necessarily. If you already have an MPEG-TS stream, you may only need a TS-to-IP transport/conversion solution. If your source is HDMI, SDI, or CVBS and you need to create an MPEG-TS stream, you may need a video encoder first.
What information should I provide when requesting an MPEG-TS to IP converter?
The most useful information includes the MPEG-TS input interface, TS bitrate, IP output protocol, number of channels, Ethernet speed, power supply, dimensions, operating temperature, and whether you need a standard product or an OEM/customized board.
Looking for a Custom MPEG-TS to IP Converter?
If you cannot find a standard converter that matches your system, contact us with your technical requirements.
Input interface + MPEG-TS format + bitrate + IP protocol + Ethernet interface + quantity + mechanical requirements
These details allow us to determine whether an existing solution can be used or whether a customized MPEG-TS to IP board should be developed for your application.