FLAC vs TS
A detailed comparison of FLAC Audio and MPEG Transport Stream — file size, quality, compatibility, and which format to choose for your workflow.
FLAC Audio
Audio FilesFLAC is an open-source lossless audio codec that compresses audio to roughly 50-60% of its original size without any quality loss. It is the preferred format for audiophiles and music archival.
About FLAC filesMPEG Transport Stream
Video FilesTS (Transport Stream) is used for broadcasting, streaming, and recording live TV.
About TS filesStrengths Comparison
FLAC Strengths
- Lossless — decoded audio is bit-exact identical to the source.
- 40-60% smaller than uncompressed WAV/AIFF.
- Free, patent-free, open-source reference implementation.
- Built-in error detection via MD5 checksums.
- Streaming-friendly — seek tables let you jump to any timestamp instantly.
TS Strengths
- Designed for noisy channels — packet-level error correction.
- Multi-program: one TS can carry several TV channels.
- Native format for all digital TV broadcasts and HLS streaming.
- Streaming-first: no need to download whole file to start playing.
- 30+ years of stable, deployed infrastructure.
Limitations
FLAC Limitations
- File sizes still large compared to lossy codecs (5-10× bigger than AAC for same audio).
- Not suitable for low-bandwidth scenarios like streaming on mobile data.
- Older MP3 players and car stereos may not decode FLAC.
- Slower to encode than lossy codecs.
TS Limitations
- Packet overhead (~3% vs Program Stream).
- Seek index is implicit — requires scanning for random access.
- Multiple audio/subtitle selection requires parsing PMT (Program Map Tables).
- fMP4 is gradually replacing TS for modern low-latency streaming.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | FLAC | TS |
|---|---|---|
| MIME type | audio/flac | video/mp2t |
| Extension | .flac | — |
| Standard | Open-source reference implementation (Xiph.Org) | ISO/IEC 13818-1 (MPEG-2 Systems) |
| Max bit depth | 32 bits per sample | — |
| Max sample rate | 655 350 Hz | — |
| Max channels | 8 | — |
| Extensions | — | .ts, .m2ts, .mts |
| Packet size | — | 188 bytes (standard); 192 bytes (M2TS/Blu-ray) |
| Primary use | — | Broadcast TV + HLS streaming |
Typical File Sizes
FLAC
- 3-min song (CD quality) 20-30 MB
- Full album (10 tracks, CD) 250-400 MB
- 3-min song (hi-res 24-bit/96 kHz) 80-120 MB
- Live concert recording (24-bit) 2-10 GB
TS
- HLS video segment (6 seconds, 1080p) 2-5 MB
- 1 hour recorded TV (HD) 4-8 GB
- Satellite transponder capture (1 min) ~300 MB
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Frequently Asked Questions
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open-source audio format that compresses audio without any quality loss. Developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation, it typically reduces file sizes by 40-50% compared to WAV while preserving bit-perfect audio.
FLAC (Free sem perdas Audio codec) is an open-source audio formato that compresses audio sem any quality loss. Developed pelo Xiph.Org Foundation, it tipicamente reduces tamanho do arquivos by 40-50% comparado a WAV while preserving bit-perfect audio.
FLAC files play in VLC, foobar2000, Winamp, and most modern music players. Streaming services like Tidal and Amazon Music HD use FLAC. Android supports it natively, and Apple devices support it via third-party apps.
FLAC arquivos reproduzir in VLC, foobar2000, Winamp, e most moderno music players. Streaming services like Tidal e Amazon Music HD usar FLAC. Android suporta it natively, e Apple devices support it via third-party apps.
Both are lossless with similar compression ratios. Use FLAC for universal compatibility and open-source support. Use ALAC if you are fully invested in the Apple ecosystem since iTunes and Apple Music handle ALAC natively.
Both are sem perdas com similar compressão ratios. usar FLAC para universal compatibilidade e open-source support. usar ALAC if you are fully invested no Apple ecosystem since iTunes e Apple Music handle ALAC natively.