Best Settings for Exporting AVCHD with Aiseesoft AVCHD Video Converter

Convert AVCHD Easily: Aiseesoft AVCHD Video Converter Review & GuideAVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) is a common format produced by many consumer and prosumer camcorders. It stores high-quality HD footage in a structure that can be awkward for editing, playback on some devices, or uploading to the web. Aiseesoft AVCHD Video Converter aims to simplify those workflows by converting AVCHD files into more widely compatible formats while preserving quality. This review and guide covers features, performance, workflow examples, recommended settings, pros and cons, and troubleshooting tips so you can decide whether this tool fits your needs.

What is Aiseesoft AVCHD Video Converter?

Aiseesoft AVCHD Video Converter is a desktop application for Windows and macOS focused on converting AVCHD (.mts/.m2ts) files into popular video and audio formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WMV, MP3, AAC, etc.). It typically emphasizes:

Format compatibility (broad preset library for devices and platforms).
Batch conversion for multiple files.
Basic editing tools (trim, crop, rotate, watermark, effects).
Options to adjust codec, resolution, bitrate, and frame rate to balance quality and file size.

Key fact: Aiseesoft’s converter targets users who need straightforward conversion of camcorder footage into edit- and share-ready file types.

Main Features

Format and device support

Wide output format list: MP4/H.264, MOV, HEVC/H.265, AVI, MKV, WMV and many audio-only outputs.
Device presets for phones, tablets, game consoles, and editing software to simplify choosing settings.

Performance and speed

Uses hardware acceleration (when supported) to speed up H.264/H.265 encoding and decoding.
Batch processing to convert multiple AVCHD clips in one job.

Editing and preprocessing

Trim: cut out unwanted segments without re-encoding (when “lossless” trim supported) or with re-encode for precise cuts.
Merge: join several clips into a single file.
Crop and rotate to fix framing or orientation.
Basic effects: brightness, contrast, saturation; deinterlacing for footage shot in interlaced modes.
Add watermark or subtitle tracks.

Quality control

Adjustable bitrate, encoder, resolution, frame rate and audio parameters.
Option to convert to lossless or near-lossless formats for editing workflows.

Installation and First Steps

Download the installer from Aiseesoft’s official site and follow the OS-specific installation prompts.
Launch the app and register (if you purchased a license) or use the trial mode.
Import AVCHD files: drag-and-drop an individual .mts/.m2ts file or the entire folder (many camcorders record into AVCHD folder structures).
Select output format or a device preset. If targeting editing software (Premiere, Final Cut), choose an editing-friendly codec/preset (e.g., MPEG-2, Apple ProRes, or DNxHD depending on target).
Adjust settings if needed (resolution, bitrate) and choose output folder.
Click Convert (or Start) to begin.

Typical Workflows and Recommended Settings

1) Convert AVCHD for smartphone/tablet playback

Output: MP4 (H.264)
Resolution: Keep original resolution if the device supports it; otherwise downscale to 1920×1080 or 1280×720 to save space.
Bitrate: 4–8 Mbps for 1080p; 2–4 Mbps for 720p.
Audio: AAC, 128–192 kbps.

2) Prepare footage for basic editing or uploading

Output: MP4 (H.264) for fast editing and web upload.
Resolution/frame rate: Keep original to avoid motion artifacts.
Bitrate: 8–12 Mbps for 1080p if you plan further editing; higher for better color/detail retention.

3) Professional editing workflow

Output: Apple ProRes (macOS) or DNxHD/DNxHR (Windows/Linux-friendly via editing suites).
Resolution: Match original (e.g., 1920×1080).
Codec: Intra-frame codecs (ProRes/DNx) maintain quality and timeline performance.
Note: These produce much larger files but are ideal for color grading and heavy edits.

4) Archive with minimal quality loss

Output: MKV or MP4 with HEVC (H.265) at high bitrate for better compression efficiency.
Bitrate: 15–25 Mbps for 1080p archival; increase for 4K.
Use two-pass encoding for improved bitrate distribution.

Editing Tips inside the Converter

Deinterlacing: Enable when converting interlaced AVCHD footage to avoid combing artifacts.
Trim before converting to reduce conversion time and file size.
Use the crop tool to remove black bars or unwanted edges; preview changes before converting.
If color or exposure needs correction, apply simple adjustments inside the app or export to an editor for precise work.
Add subtitles or hardcode watermarks when preparing content for platforms that don’t support separate subtitle tracks.

Performance and Benchmarks

Performance depends on CPU, GPU, and source file properties:

Hardware acceleration (Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC, AMD VCE/AVC) can significantly speed H.264/H.265 conversions with minimal quality loss.
Two-pass and higher-quality encodings take longer but produce better results at the same bitrate.
Batch jobs scale with available cores; run large batch jobs when you don’t need the computer for other tasks.

Practical example: On a modern quad-core CPU with GPU acceleration enabled, converting a 30-minute 1080p AVCHD clip to MP4/H.264 might take 10–20 minutes; without acceleration it can be longer.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Broad format and device preset support	Desktop-only — no cloud converter built-in
Hardware acceleration for faster conversion	Trial restrictions (watermark/time limits) unless licensed
Batch conversion and basic editing tools	Advanced color grading requires external editor
Options for editing-friendly codecs (ProRes/DNx)	Large file sizes for editing codecs
Simple, approachable UI for non-technical users	Some settings may need manual tuning for optimal quality

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Cannot open AVCHD folder: Import the .mts/.m2ts files directly or copy the entire AVCHD folder from the camcorder to your PC, preserving structure.
Playback stutters after conversion: Try increasing bitrate, matching original frame rate, or enabling two-pass encoding.
Audio/video sync drift: Ensure you keep original frame rate; try converting with a different container (MP4 vs MOV) or use a stable editing codec (ProRes/DNx).
Interlacing artifacts: Enable deinterlacing during conversion.
Slow conversions: Enable hardware acceleration in settings and close other CPU/GPU-intensive apps.

Alternatives to Consider

If you need different trade-offs, consider:

HandBrake (free) — excellent for MP4/MKV and H.265 encoding, but fewer editing presets.
FFmpeg (free, command-line) — most flexible and scriptable, steeper learning curve.
Adobe Media Encoder / Apple Compressor — integrated into professional editing ecosystems, deeper control and formats.
Dedicated transcoding tools with better metadata handling if you need batch renaming or advanced automation.

Final Verdict

Aiseesoft AVCHD Video Converter is a practical, user-friendly tool for converting camcorder AVCHD footage into widely supported formats for playback, upload, or editing. It balances ease-of-use with enough advanced options (hardware acceleration, editing codecs, deinterlacing) to serve hobbyists and many prosumer workflows. For editorial-grade color work you’ll still want a dedicated editor and intra-frame codecs, but for most conversion tasks — especially preparing files for mobile, web, or quick edits — it gets the job done efficiently.

If you want, I can:

Suggest exact encoder settings for your camera model and target device.
Provide step-by-step screenshots-based workflow (Windows or macOS).
Create a preset profile for typical smartphone uploads or NLE editing.