How to convert a .REC file online
Three steps, all tab.
Open your file
Drop your .REC file and every video, audio and subtitle track inside is listed with its codec, resolution, frame rate and language.
Preview
See frames from across your .REC file before you convert, even when your browser can't play the codec inside.
Convert
Pick MP4, WEBM or MP3, or repack to MKV without re-encoding. Play the result right here, then download it.
What is a .REC file?
Everything worth knowing about Topfield PVR Recording.
A REC file is a TV recording saved by a Topfield personal video recorder. Try VLC first; it plays many of them directly. If VLC fails, strip the Topfield header with rec2mpg or tfrec2ts to get a clean .ts or .mpg file, then play or convert that to MP4 with HandBrake or ffmpeg.
Programs that open .REC files
- Windows
- VLC media player, HandBrake, rec2mpg / tfrec2ts (Topfield community tools), VideoReDo TVSuite
- macOS
- VLC media player, HandBrake
- Linux
- VLC media player, FFmpeg
- Android
- VLC for Android
- iOS
- VLC for iOS
| Full name | Topfield PVR Recording |
|---|---|
| Developer | Topfield |
| First released | Topfield PVRs, early-mid 2000s |
| Category | Audio & Video |
| MIME type | video/mp2t |
Related viewers
Other free tools to open and preview your files.
Is my .REC file uploaded to a server?
No. Your .REC file is converted for you. The converted file is created in memory,.
Why is conversion slower than desktop software?
Browsers give web pages a single CPU core for this kind of work and no hardware video encoder. Short clips convert in seconds; for long 4K films a desktop app like HandBrake is faster. Use Start and Length to convert just the part you need.
Which output format should I pick?
MP4 plays on every phone, TV and browser. WEBM is an open format that's great for the web. MP3 keeps only the sound. MKV (no re-encode) is instant and lossless, but only changes the container.
Can I keep all audio tracks and subtitles?
The MKV (no re-encode) option copies every track as-is. MP4 and WEBM keep the first video and audio track, which is what most players use.
Why can't some files be converted?
Files protected with DRM (for example purchased iTunes .m4p songs or some .wmv rentals) are encrypted. We can show what's inside, but nobody can convert them without the key.
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