by Brian Fisher •
AVCHD is a universal high definition video format for recording video with digital camcorders and digital cameras. And AVCHD video files (.MTS) can usually be accessed via a USB cable connecting your device and your Mac. Some camcorder and camera models also record AVCHD files to a removable memory card so that you can access AVCHD video files via a card reader. However, when you click on AVCHD MTS files on your Mac, you may fail to play them (it depends on what operating system you're using). You can't import and watch AVCHD videos on MAC like iMovie or Final Cut Pro. Take it easy. This article will show you how to fix the AVCHD compatibility problem on your Mac with the AVCHD player.
The QuickTime Player application is incompatible with AVCHD files sometimes. You have to convert AVCHD to MOV format to play with QuickTime Player. Then you need to turn to a video converter software for Mac can do this. Here I'll show you how to convert AVCHD files on Mac using UniConverter for Mac.
All in one tool: AVCHD to Converter for Mac:
Launch UniConverter for Mac after installation. And then import AVCHD files that you've transferred to your Mac to the program interface by the +Add Files button. You'll see all AVCHD files appearing in the item tray. In the case that you havn't tranferred your AVCHD video, just click the drop-down icon beside the Add Files button and select the Add from Camcorder to directly load AVCHD videos in your camcorder.
Go to the Format tray and choose the MOV under the Video section. The format, resolution, bit rate and other video settings are customizable. Usually the original settings will be kept. However, you can change them to suit your needs. To do so, click the Encode Settings button on top of the format icon and the setting window will open.
Click the Convert button and all the imported AVCHD files will be converted to the selected MOV format quickly. You can simply double click the converted MOV video to play with QuickTime Player when finished.
You're lucky if you're using macOS 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. The supplied QuickTime Player can play AVCHD files without any settings. Here is how to use QuickTime as a free AVCHD player for Mac.
1. Transfer your AVCHD media to Mac via a USB cable or a card reader.
2. You'll get a folder containing AVCHD, BDMV, or PRIVATE.
3. Double click the file and QuickTime will open. If your AVCHD media contain only a single video clip, QuickTime Player will directly play it; If multiple video clips are included, an Open Clip as below will appear, in which choose the clip you want to play.
Easy enough, right? For Mac OS X Lion and earlier users, QuickTime doesn't support AVCHD format natively. Then UniConverter for Mac must be your best solution.
#1. SMPlayer
SMPlayer is a free media player for windows with built-in codecs that can play all video and audio formats. The media player can play YouTube videos, and it also has optional plugins to search and download YouTube videos.
Pros:
Cons:
It can only be used on Linux and windows player.
#2. VLC Media Player
VLC media player is free and easy AVCHD media player for both windows and Mac. The media player does do not need codecs to play videos which are a benefit that other free video players do not have.
Pros:
Cons:
You have to keep updating to the newest version.
#3. 5K Player
5K Player is a great free AVCHD player which offers a better solution to play AVCHD/MTS video for free. Apart from playing the AVCHD videos, 5KPlayer can play other videos, audios, DVD sources, radio, free download videos, movies, and music from more than 300 video sites. 5K Player works well on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Pros:
The advanced De-interlacing engine ensures clearer and sharper images and enhanced visual qualities even for videos with 1080i signals.
Cons:
It is a standalone media player that cannot be intergraded on any browser.
#4. BS Player
More than 70 million media users throughout the world use BS player, and it is translated into 90 languages. Due to the low cost of CPU processing Resources for AVCHD video playback, it is suitable for users to want to watch AVCHD/MTS video, but use utilizes less capable computers.
Pros:
Cons:
It cannot play Blu-ray discs.
Leawo Free Blu-ray Player contains all media playback solutions you need for entertainment and leisure. It acts as a free disc player, free DVD player, free HD player, free audio player and free ISO player.
Pros:
Cons:
It has no HD or 3D upscaling capacity.
If you don't want to install a computer program, you can also try online video converter to convert your AVCHD videos to any format as needed. Then you can freely play them on any device. Try it below:
Note:Because the online tool doesn't support "https", so if the content below was blank, please manually click the "Shield" icon on the right of your browser address bar to load the script. This action is secure without any harm to your data or computer.
Brian Fisher
staff Editor