Note: Windows 7 has native support for AVCHD/M2TS videos so do not use this patch with the Windows 7 as it will screw things up, this is useful only to XP/Vista.

This registry patch will tie M2TS files [Blu-ray transport stream files also referred to as AVCHD files] into Windows Media Player [WMP11] and Windows Media Center [WMC] allowing them to see this file type. However there are caveats as it is not possible to tie a third party codec 100% into WMP without developing some sort of plug-in. Also available are patches for MKV/MKA, Flac and MP4/M4V/M4A.

This will also permit streaming M2TS files from Windows Media Player 11 to the PS3. This process is compatible with 32/64-bit Windows XP/Vista with WMP11 present, Windows Home Server should work as well.

Be aware that M2TS files will only be playable in WMP/WMC with latest versions of ffdshow-tryouts and Haali media splitter, older versions will crash when trying to decode the video. The commercial decoder CoreAVC will also work.

Alternatively use the free Media Player Classic Home Cinema to play AVCHD/M2TS files on your computer as it now supports them.If going through with below create a "system restore point" before doing so.

Step 1: If running 32-bit Windows download this M2TS registry patch. If running 64-bit Windows download this M2TS x64 registry patch. The 64-bit registry patch includes the keys for 32-bit compatibility & follow the instructions at the bottom of the page for WMC x64.

Step 2: Double click on the registry patch to apply and it will make the changes to add M2TS support to WMP11/WMC.

Step 3: Reboot your computer (don't skip this).

Step 4: Now start WMP11/WMC and if all goes well you should see any M2TS files that are in monitored folders appear in the video library, now enable file sharing in WMP11 and you should be able to stream the video to the Playstation 3.

Lastly the M2TS files will show tagged as MPEG-2 video on the PS3 XMB but you can ignore that as that it just the video/mpeg mime type I used. There is an actual mime type for M2TS which is video/MP2T but the PS3 does not acknowledge this only video/mpeg and video/mp4.

To encode into H.264/AC3 M2TS read my Ripbot264 (select Blu-ray as output then look in bdmv\stream folder) if you want a file for just streaming to the PS3.

How do I make AVCHD/M2TS playable in WMC x64 ?

This is a little more involved as under Windows Vista 64-bit media center is running the x64 version and the 32-bit codecs wont work. So the solution is to use 64-bit codecs, the author of Media Player Classic Home Cinema has made the x64 versions of his filters available so that’s what you will be downloading.

Step 1: Go here and into the standalone filters x64 sub section.

Step 2: Download the filters, MPADecFilter, MPASplitter, MPCVideoDec and MPEGSplitter.

Step 3: Extract all to a folder of your choosing, then create a txt file in it. Rename the .txt file to .bat (you’ll need show file extensions enabled) now copy and paste this line into the .bat file regsvr32.exe "C:\folder location\MPADecFilter.ax"

Step 4: Now run the batch file and it will register the codec/splitter, you will need to do this for all 4 so edit the bat file for each one. The reason for this is because I’m assuming your running with UAC enabled and it will block the regserv32 command unless the folder location is specified. If you wish to uninstall any of the codecs change the command to regsvr32.exe /u

Step 5: Try playing a movie and see if it works in WMC x64.