Extract text from high definition videos (AVCHD)
To convert AVCHD videos to another format, you need VLC or other Video software.
To convert other file formats to the "Camcorder Video Container" file type, you need software like VLC or a similar tool.
The .avchd (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) format is a file-based standard for recording and playing high-definition video. Originally developed in 2006 by Sony and Panasonic, it is the primary recording format for consumer and professional HD camcorders. Rather than a single file, AVCHD is a complex directory structure containing index data, playlists, and raw MTS or M2TS video streams. On macOS systems, this entire structure is often bundled into a single viewable package bearing the .avchd extension.
To view these files natively, you need dedicated media software like VLC media player. Professional video editors use non-linear editing systems (NLEs) such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro to process the footage. You can learn more about its technical specifications on Wikipedia.
Despite using standard H.264 compression, the .avchd format is highly restrictive and user-hostile for daily use. The files are exceptionally large. The rigid BDMV folder structure breaks if individual clips are moved or renamed, causing audio desync or total playback failure. Most importantly, native playback fails completely on modern web browsers, iOS, and Android devices. Sharing an unedited AVCHD package online is nearly impossible.
To make this footage usable, you must convert it. For web streaming, social media, and universal mobile playback, convert your files to MP4. For high-end editing workflows on a Mac, convert to MOV (using the ProRes codec). For archiving purposes without losing subtitle or audio tracks, convert to MKV. Drag and drop your file here to analyze and convert it - free, online, and without installing heavy video software.
Use Convert.Guru to open and convert your AVCHD file.
Users also converted MTS, ZIP, CPI, MP4, MP, OGM, M2TS and MOV files.
If you want to convert AVCHD file to MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, WEBM, MKV, M4V, 3GP, OGV, ASF or RM, you can use VLC or similar software from the "High Definition Video Recording" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MTS, MOV, RMVB, DIVX, RM, H264, TS, WMV, VOB, MP4, XVID or AVI files to AVCHD, try VLC or another comparable tool in the "High Definition Video Recording" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our AVCHD converter.