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CPI MP4
File conversion

Convert CPI to MP4

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 20, 2026
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Is it possible to convert CPI to MP4?
Yes - CPI converts to MP4.

Locate the .mts or .m2ts file with the same base name in the BDMV/STREAM folder and convert that to MP4 using HandBrake or VLC. Because AVCHD already uses H.264, the conversion can often be a fast remux rather than a full re-encode.

Also to MP4: AVCHD · USM · MXF

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert CPI to MP4?

A .cpi sidecar stores frame rate, resolution, and seek points but no video frames - the actual footage is in the matching .mts stream. AVCHD footage plays in VLC but many phones, smart TVs, and video platforms only accept .mp4, so wrapping the same H.264 video in an MP4 container makes it universally compatible.

How to convert CPI to MP4

HandBrake FREE

Open the .mts file from the STREAM folder in HandBrake, set Format to MP4, and click Start Encode; H.264 footage can often be remuxed quickly without re-encoding.

VLC FREE

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add the .mts file, choose the H.264 + MP4 profile, set a .mp4 destination filename, and click Start.

iMovie FREE

Import the entire AVCHD folder into iMovie and export via File > Share > File, choosing MP4 / H.264 as the output format.

Adobe Premiere Pro APP

Import the AVCHD folder, then export via File > Export > Media with the H.264 codec and MP4 container selected.

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 →
.MP4 MPEG-4 Part 14 Video File

An MP4 file is a video container (MPEG-4 Part 14, standardized 2003) that holds video, audio, subtitles, and chapters in one file. It plays on every phone, computer, browser, and smart TV…

Open .MP4 details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The .cpi file is never the conversion source - always use the .mts or .m2ts from the STREAM folder; opening a .cpi in a converter will error or produce an empty file.
  • Keep the whole AVCHD folder structure intact; some editors (Premiere Pro, PowerDirector) import via the BDMV root and rely on the .cpi and .mpls files to assemble clips correctly.
  • If you copied only the .cpi files and left the .mts files behind, go back to the memory card and copy the STREAM folder contents.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my `.cpi` file only a few kilobytes?
A .cpi file is a metadata sidecar containing only index data - the video stream is in the much larger .mts file in the STREAM folder.
Can HandBrake remux AVCHD to MP4 without re-encoding?
Yes - because AVCHD uses H.264, HandBrake can often pass the video stream through directly; look for a passthrough or same-as-source codec option to speed up the process.
Do I need the whole AVCHD folder or just the `.mts` file?
For simple conversions, just the .mts file is enough; for multi-clip imports in Premiere Pro or PowerDirector, import via the BDMV root to preserve clip order and metadata.