Play and Convert AVCHD Files with VLC

Part 1. How to Play avchd Videos with VLC

Part 2. How to Convert Avchd Videos with VLC

Part 3. An Alternative Converter to VLC

AVCHD stands for Advanced Video Codec High Definition, and the AVCHD files generally use extensions like MTS and M2TS, depending on the camera or camcorder brand and whether they are imported to a computer or Mac. VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as AVCHD, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. While if you want to watch AVCHD files on other devices, or importing to editing systems, you need to convert AVCHD files to universal video formats like WMV and MP4 with VLC.

Part 1. How to Play avchd Videos with VLC

Step 1: Download VLC

Download VLC software from Videolan.org. Install the downloaded file into your computer and launch the software when installation is complete.

Step 2. Open AVHCD files with VLC

Connect your camera to computer with a FireWire cable that comes with the camera. Turn your camera on, and wait for the computer to detect your camera. On top left corner of this AVCHD player, click "Media"  ＞ "Open File." Find the file folder that you store your camera AVCHD videos, and select one or several. Then click "Open" on bottom right corner.

Step 3. Watch AVCHD videos with VLC

Once you click "Open" at Step 2, the VLC player will play the selected AVCHD videos automatically.

Part 2. How to Convert AVCHD Files with VLC?

Step 1. Active Open Media Window

On main UI of VLC player, click "Media" ＞ "Convert/Save." And then the "Open Media" window will pop up. Click "File" option.

Step 2. Add AVCHD files

Click "Add" to import your desired AVCHD files to VLC player, and then click "Convert/Save" to proceed to "Convert" window.

Step 3. Select a proper output format for AVCHD

On "Convert" window, choose an output video format under "Profile" dropdown list.

Step 4. Save the converted AVCHD files

Click "Browse" to find a destination folder to store the converted AVCHD files, and you can rename the output folder. And then click "Save."

Step 5. Start converting AVCHD files

After choose an output folder to save the converted AVCHD videos, just click "Start" on the "Convert" window to realize AVHCD conversion.

Part 3. An Alternative Converter to VLC

You can use Pavtube Vdieo Converter Ultimate to convert avchd files instead of using VLC media player. This video converter wins over VLC converter. It stands out from it class which not only play, convert AVCHD files, but also flexibly edit them before conversion. With it, you can play, convert, edit, enhance, capture, AVCHD and transcode them in over 200+ formats for massive devices like iPhone X, HUAWEI smartphones, Samsung smartphone, tablets, gamconsole, TV, and more.

Key Features You Must Know

• All-in-one media player to play almost all kinds of video without formats incompatibility issues.

• Batch conversion is also available.

• Convert AVCHD files to over 200+ formats, like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV and more.

• Copy DVD/Blu-ray movies by passing all copy protection, and transcode them for massive devices.

• Allows you to customize AVCHD files’ parameters, including video and audio bitrate, frame rate, resolution, channel and more.

• Edit AVCHD files with professional video editing functions, like "Trim", "Crop", "Add Video Effect", "Add Vdieo Text", "Insert SRT/ASS/SSA Subtitles", and more.

• Has both Windows and Mac version.

• Welcome to our official web to know more functions.

Step By Step to Convert AVCHD with VLC Alternative

Step 1. Add AVCHD Files

You can directly drag and drop the AVCHD files to the program. Alternatively, you can go to "File" to import AVCHD files you want to play. Batch conversion is supported here. If you need to convert AVCHD files on Mac, you should use iMedia Converter for Mac and you can learn more about it in this review.

Step 2. Choose format

Set right output format. Click "Format" bar, and select .mp4 from "Common video" or "HD video" to fit your media player. You also can choose Common MP4 in "Common Video" category. Then, you can click "Settings" to configure video and audio bitrate, frame rate, resolution, codec and more settings to make the output video more compatible with your device or media player.

Step 3: Start AVCHD conversion

After you have finished all the settings, go back to the main interface, press the red "Convert" button to start to convert AVCHD file.

When the conversion is completed, click "Open output folder", a window will pop out with all your converted files. Then you can add the converted AVCHD to your iDevice, Android device for playback.