<p>AVCHD is basically just a consumer name for H.264, which in turn is another name for the ISO standard MPEG-4, Layer 10. It is one of the most significant steps forward in video encoding in recent times.</p>

<p>To the very best of my knowledge, it is a codec since it is used to encode and decode video but it is also a specification.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-07-07T11:09:12.787Z
That is completely wrong. AVCHD is a wrapper that uses h.264 multiplexed into an MPEG Transport Stream. The confusion might stem from the fact that MPEG-4 Part 10 is also called AVC. But AVC and AVCHD have nothing in common. see the [Format Specification](http://www.avchd-info.org/format/index.html).
slhck
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-07-06T16:58:40.340Z
2011-07-06T16:58:40.340Z
RatVega
<p>I think this image from Wikipedia says it best:</p>

<p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/AVCHD_actual_file_structure.svg/380px-AVCHD_actual_file_structure.svg.png" alt=""></p>

<p>AVCHD is <strong>not a codec</strong>, but it is also <strong>not just a container</strong>.</p>

<p>Just like "every other" container, AVCHD features:</p>

<ul>
<li>Video streams</li>
<li>Audio streams</li>
<li>Subtitles</li>
</ul>

<p>But in addition, for example:</p>

<ul>
<li>Playlists</li>
<li>Menu presentation (like in a DVD)</li>
</ul>

<blockquote>
  <p>Is it simply a specification that specifies a particular combination of pre-existing technologies?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>But this would imply that AVCHD files could also be called something else, like "MPEG4 container with H264/AC3 inside".</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But who would like to call it that? Several other specifications take already existing specifications, remix them, and they aren't called "Open Source Container format for XYZ".</p>

<p>I think it's a "one format fits it all" mentality, which is why you'll find AVCHD on many consumer devices.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-07-06T07:50:07.583Z
2011-07-06T07:50:07.583Z
2017-03-10T09:42:47.690Z
slhck
<p>Is it a codec? I don't think so; I believe it uses MPEG4/H.264 for video and AC3 for audio.</p>

<p>Is it a container format? Doesn't seem to make a huge amount of sense; there are enough out there already and it's likely that a suitable one already exists.</p>

<p>Is it simply a specification that specifies a particular combination of pre-existing technologies? But this would imply that AVCHD files could also be called something else, like "MPEG4 container with H264/AC3 inside".</p>

<p>So what exactly does AVCHD mean?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-15T20:05:25.913Z
This question seems more broadcast and compression specific than AV Production! Inviting experts to a new site proposal [Broadcast and Media Technologies](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/36807/broadcast-and-media-technologies) which aims to capture more architectural and theoretical views around subjects like this. Join and invite others.
Dipan Mehta
<file-formats>
What exactly is AVCHD?
RomanSt
# What exactly is AVCHD?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-07-06)

Is it a codec? I don't think so; I believe it uses MPEG4/H.264 for video and AC3 for audio.

Is it a container format? Doesn't seem to make a huge amount of sense; there are enough out there already and it's likely that a suitable one already exists.

Is it simply a specification that specifies a particular combination of pre-existing technologies? But this would imply that AVCHD files could also be called something else, like "MPEG4 container with H264/AC3 inside".

So what exactly does AVCHD mean?

**Tags:** file-formats

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This question seems more broadcast and compression specific than AV Production! Inviting experts to a new site proposal [Broadcast and Media Technologies](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/36807/broadcast-and-media-technologies) which aims to capture more architectural and theoretical views around subjects like this. Join and invite others.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2011-07-06. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

I think this image from Wikipedia says it best:

![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/AVCHD_actual_file_structure.svg/380px-AVCHD_actual_file_structure.svg.png)

AVCHD is **not a codec**, but it is also **not just a container**.

Just like "every other" container, AVCHD features:

* Video streams
* Audio streams
* Subtitles

But in addition, for example:

* Playlists
* Menu presentation (like in a DVD)

> Is it simply a specification that specifies a particular combination of pre-existing technologies?

Yes.

> But this would imply that AVCHD files could also be called something else, like "MPEG4 container with H264/AC3 inside".

But who would like to call it that? Several other specifications take already existing specifications, remix them, and they aren't called "Open Source Container format for XYZ".

I think it's a "one format fits it all" mentality, which is why you'll find AVCHD on many consumer devices.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2011-07-06. Score: -5

AVCHD is basically just a consumer name for H.264, which in turn is another name for the ISO standard MPEG-4, Layer 10. It is one of the most significant steps forward in video encoding in recent times.

To the very best of my knowledge, it is a codec since it is used to encode and decode video but it is also a specification.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: That is completely wrong. AVCHD is a wrapper that uses h.264 multiplexed into an MPEG Transport Stream. The confusion might stem from the fact that MPEG-4 Part 10 is also called AVC. But AVC and AVCHD have nothing in common. see the [Format Specification](http://www.avchd-info.org/format/index.html).  

---

