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CPI AVI
File conversion

Convert CPI to AVI

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 19, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert CPI to AVI?
Yes - CPI converts to AVI.

Find the .mts or .m2ts file with the same base name in the AVCHD STREAM folder and open it in VLC (Media > Convert/Save) to export AVI directly. HandBrake does not output AVI natively and requires an intermediate step.

Also to AVI: MPEG4 · WLMP · MXF

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert CPI to AVI?

A .cpi file (AVCHD Clip Information) holds only metadata - resolution, frame rate, seek points - for the matching .mts video stream. .avi is accepted by older editing software, DVD authoring tools, and media players that cannot handle .mts directly, making this conversion useful for legacy workflows.

How to convert CPI to AVI

VLC FREE

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add the .mts file, click the profile wrench and set encapsulation to AVI, choose a .avi destination, and click Start.

HandBrake FREE

Open the .mts in HandBrake to produce an MP4 or MKV intermediate, then remux to AVI with VLC - HandBrake does not output AVI natively.

About these formats

.CPI AVCHD Clip Information File

A CPI file is an AVCHD Clip Information file - a small metadata sidecar that your camcorder writes next to each recorded video clip. It holds no video itself; the actual footage is in the…

Open .CPI details →
.AVI Audio Video Interleave

An AVI file is a video container created by Microsoft in 1992. To open one, use VLC media player - it includes the DivX/Xvid codecs old AVIs need and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android…

Open .AVI details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The .cpi file is never the conversion source - always use the .mts or .m2ts from the STREAM folder; dragging a .cpi into a converter produces nothing useful.
  • Converting AVCHD to AVI requires a full re-encode (H.264 to Xvid or similar), which takes significantly longer than remuxing to MP4 or MKV.
  • AVI does not cleanly support all modern codecs; MP4 or MKV are better choices unless AVI compatibility with specific legacy software is required.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't HandBrake output AVI directly?
HandBrake's output containers are limited to MP4 and MKV; use VLC for direct AVI output.
Does converting `.mts` to AVI lose quality?
Yes - AVI typically requires re-encoding the H.264 stream to an older codec like Xvid, which reduces quality; MP4 or MKV can preserve the original stream without quality loss.
What if I only have the `.cpi` file and not the `.mts`?
The .cpi contains no video data - go back to the memory card and copy the .mts files from the STREAM folder.