What Is AVCHD File? How Play AVCHD Files with VLC? Solved!

Part 1. What is avchd File?

AVCHD stands for Advanced Video Coding High Definition. It is a format for digital recording and playback of High Definition Video. It records 1080i and 720p signals onto certain media using highly efficient codec technologies. It was jointly developed by Panasonic and Sony.  In 2006, the companies developed AVCHD for use in high definition consumer camcorders. In 2007, both Panasonic and Sony released the first consumer AVCHD camcorders. In 2011, the AVCHD specification was amended to include two new modes – 1080-line 50-frames/s and 60-frames/s. The newly declared modes require double the data rate than previous modes.

VLC comes as a free transcoder and powerful media player which could be the first choice when choosing media player for their PC, Mac or Android mobiles, because of its popularity and compatibility for formats including M2TS and MTS linked to AVCHD footage. So how to play and convert AVCHD file with VLC? Read on.

Part 2. 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 Videos with VLC

Step 1: Active Open Media Window

Click the tab named "Media" located at the top of the VLC Media player’s interface. Select the option "Save/Convert." Proceed to the top left corner of VLC media player and click the "File" tab.

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. Best Alternative Converter to VLC for Playing and Convert AVCHD File

Although VLC can play and convert AVCHD for your target device, but this is not enough. You still need to convert AVCHD files to common formats like MOV, MP4, MKV, etc if you want to play them on portable devices, or impoting to non-linear editing software with a professional AVCHD converter. Here we share the best AVCHD converter with you which is called Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate (to get Mac version). 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, HUAWEI smartphones, Samsung smartphone, tablets, gamconsole, TV, and more.

Simple Steps to Convert AVCHD with VLC Alternatives

Step 1. Download this software and install on your PC or Mac

Then open it, click "File" to load the AVCHD video to this software. You also can use drag or drop feature to import AVCHD files into this software. Batch conversion is also available here. It allows you to convert several clips at a time.

To play AVCHD file, you can watch the video in Preview window. You also can capture the picture of the video with the application.

Step 2. Output defined video format according to your needs

Click Format bar, in its format list and select one you like. For example, choose "H.264 HD Video(*.mp4)" from "HD Video" category. You also can choose optimized device presets for your iDevices, Android phones, non-linear editing software, game console, and more.

Step 3. Edit AVCHD file and customize video parameters

Click "Settings" bar, you are allowed to change video parameters like: video codec, audio codec, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, channels and more. Apart from that, you can edit AVCHD file by trimming, cropping, adding rendering video effects, adding text watermark, adding external subtitles to you video.

Step 5. Start to convert AVCHD file

When you have done all settings, then go to the main UI, press the Convert button to start the conversion. When the conversion stops, you can go to the folder you just set to get the generated file.

Now you will be free to transfer the converted file to any device, media player, ediitng software for playing, sharing or editing.