Full AVCHD Lite Video Guide

How to transfer AVCHD Lite video to computer?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (also known as DMC-TZ7) can record 720p HD video in the AVCHD Lite video format (1280 x 720), with the ".mts" file extension, which has no time limit on video length and which has file sizes much smaller than the alternative Motion JPEG format.

AVCHD recordings can be transferred to a computer by connecting the camcorder via the USB connection. Many camcorders can record to removable media like SDHC and Memory Stick cards or DVD discs, which can be read on a computer directly. Copying files from an AVCHD camcorder or from removable media can be performed much faster than from a tape-based camcorder, because the transfer speed is not limited by realtime playback.

How to play AVCHD Lite video?

Windows Media Player

On a computer, play from the camcorder connected via USB as an external storage device, or from removable media or from the computer's internal hard disk drive. Presently, the default media players from Apple (QuickTime) will not play AVCHD natively, additional software is required. Windows 7 is able to import and play AVCHD video natively, having files with extensions M2TS, MTS and M2T pre-registered in the system. Windows Media Player is able to index content of these files, while Windows Explorer is able to create thumbnails for each clip. Windows 7 does not support importing of AVCHD video metadata such as thumbnail images, playlists, and clip index files. Joining AVCHD video files during the import is not supported either.

VLC Player

VLC player is an open source Multimedia Framework and Player which is capable of reading most

audio and video formats (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, MPEG-1, mp3, ogg, aac ...) as well as DVDs, Audio CDs VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

How to edit AVCHD Lite video?

Virtualdub

VirtualDub is a freeware that can be used to delete segments of a video file, append new segments, or reorder existing segments. However, segments of different files cannot be mixed, and no transition effects can be applied. However, frame sequences and sound tracks must be edited in external software programs.

Windows Movie Maker

Windows Movie Maker is developed by Microsoft, comes preinstalled in your computer(windows OS, except windows 7), so there is no need to search, download and install. It can perform almost all editing functions like add video effect & transitions, delete frames, add & adjust audio, add titles & credits, etc.

Sony Vages

Compared to Virtuadub and windows movie maker, sony vegas has more features like add transitions, multitrack video editing, sophisticated lighting effects, powerful color correction, etc.

However, sony vages is a pay-for-program which costs us $54.95.

Note, if you failed to import your Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3/DMC-TZ7 video to your editors, it may be caused by the lacked codec. In this case, you can either download a codec pack say k_lite codec pack or convert Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3/DMC-TZ7 video to AVI WMV MP4 MOV MPEG, etc.

How to convert AVCHD Lite video to AVI WMV MP4 MOV MPEG FLV 3GP, etc

As stated above, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3/ DMC-TZ7 records 720p HD video in the AVCHD Lite video format (1280 x 720), with the ".mts" file extension. Since AVCHD lite video(.MTS, .M2TS) is not compatible with most editors, media players and portable players, and in most case, converting AVCHD Lite video from an MTS file to an AVI file can give smoother playback, so it must be much easier to convert AVCHD lite video to AVI WMV MP4 MOV MPEG, etc. first before editing or playback.

iSkysoft Video Converter is a great AVCHD Lite Converter which can convert AVCHD to AVI, AVCHD to MPEG, AVCHD to MP4, AVCHD to WMV, etc. Additional, iSkysoft Video Converter lets you convert videos with editing functions including crop(delete black bar), trim, merge, adjust video ratio (16:9, 3:4, etc), set saturation & brightness, adjust volume and add some special effect.

You can easily finish AVCHD Lite conversion within 3 steps.

1. Load your AVCHD Lite video under "ADD"

2. Set output dir and output format at "Profile" and "Output"

3. Start conversion by clicking "start".