How to import and edit AVCHD file in Windows Movie Maker on Windows 7, XP and Vista?

Tag edit AVCHD, import AVCHD Movie Maker, edit AVCHD Movie Maker, Vista AVCHD Movie Maker

What’s AVCHD?

AVCHD, or Audio and Video Compression for High Definition, is a video format that is designed for camcorder use. AVCHD content also can make use of SD and SDHC cards, or even hard disk drives if the recording equipment supports it. AVCHD video is recorded using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression codec, the same now used with most Blu-ray Disc content. Dolby Digital (AC3) audio or uncompressed PCM audio is supported.

How to import AVCHD to Movie Maker to edit?

Windows Movie Maker is a free video editing software which is developed by Microsoft, preinstall in your computer once you installed Windows system. If for some reason, you haven't got one, just go to
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx (for Windows XP)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d6ba5972-328e-4df7-8f9d-068fc0f80cfc (for Windows Vista) to download for free.

Generally, the Video format supported by Movie Maker are  .asf, .avi, .m1v, .mp2, .mp2v, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv2, .wm, .wmv.

You may have noticed that Movie Maker doesn’t supports AVCHD with MPEG-4 codec. So how can you import AVCHD video to Movie Maker? Here I will introduce two ways for your reference.

FFdShow

First, in most time, if windows Movie Maker cant read the file, that would be caused by AVCHD codec. So, you just need to download and install the latest FFDShow MPEG-4 codec. Once you install this, try watching your AVCHD file in Windows Media Player. If it works, you’re almost there.

Note, lately FFDShow seems to be getting worse and it acts weird in vista sometimes. And there is a risk to foul up your computer with these codec pack installed.

If the above mothod doesn’t work for you, here is an alternative.

iSkysoft Video Converter

Since AVCHD is not compatible with Movie Maker, so we just need a video converter to convert AVCHD file to AVI, WMV or something else that Movie Maker can easily work with.

It’s very simple. Just download and install a video converter. Set the output format to avi and decide the output location, click "start", ok, done!

Now, with these simple and easy ways to import AVCHD to Windows Movie Maker, or even working with avchd clips in final cut pro, you are ready to edit AVCHD files freely!

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