What is the MPL file format?
Files with the .mpl extension are playlists created by digital cameras that record in the AVCHD format - typically in high definition. They do not contain the recording itself, but only sorted lists of references to the recorded video files. Internally, .mpl files use a binary structure shared with the Blu-ray .mpls playlist format, beginning with the ASCII tag MPLS at byte offset 0.
Recorded video data is stored in files with the .mts extension, and simultaneously a second associated .mpl file is created. The reference lists within an .mpl file point to records stored in .mts or .m2ts files and are used to navigate within them. Each .mpl is typically paired with a .mpi clip-info file that supports fast seeking and index lookup.
Additional facts about .mpl files:
.mplfiles are used primarily to navigate video files and to play recordings in the correct sequence.- The default location for
.mplfiles is theAVCHD\BDMV\PLAYLISTdirectory on the memory card or data carrier within the device. - Files are usually named with a five-digit numeric prefix, for example
00000.mpl,00001.mpl, and so on. - The AVCHD standard related to
.mplfiles is most commonly found in camcorders and digital cameras from Sony and Panasonic.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn MPL is a tiny binary index file with no executable content, so it is harmless to open. The only practical pitfall is data loss through misunderstanding: because the .mpl only references clips, copying it without the matching STREAM/.MTS files (or deleting clips it points to) breaks playback order and editor import. When archiving camcorder footage, copy the entire AVCHD/BDMV folder tree, not selected files.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEAVCHD Playlist File
DEVELOPERAVCHD consortium (Sony & Panasonic)since 2006 (AVCHD format, Sony & Panasonic)
CATEGORYVideo Files
MIME TYPEapplication/octet-stream
TYPEBinary playlist/index file (references, not video data)
This extension is also used by…
- Maple Worksheet (legacy) - Older versions of Maplesoft Maple saved math worksheets as .mpl/.mws.
- Music Playlist / generic playlist - Some media players and DAW/karaoke apps use .mpl for their own text or binary playlists.
- MPLAB / Microchip project list - Microchip MPLAB IDE used .mpl as a project library/list file.
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
00010203
HEX
4D504C53
ASCII
MPLS
AVCHD .mpl/.mpls files use the Blu-ray MPLS structure and typically begin with the ASCII tag "MPLS" followed by a 4-byte version (e.g. "0100"/"0200"). On the camcorder card the file is often named like 00000.mpl with a parallel 00000.mpi info file. Confidence medium on the exact version bytes across vendors.
Programs that open MPL files
Windows4 apps
VLC media player
Open-source Open the .MTS/.M2TS clips in the STREAM folder directly (the .mpl itself is only an index, not playable). 
Cyberlink PowerDirector
Paid Use AVCHD import and point it at the whole AVCHD folder; it reads the .mpl playlist to reassemble clips in order. 
PlayMemories Home / Catalyst (Sony)
Free Sony's camcorder import tool reads the AVCHD/.mpl structure to import clips with metadata. (PlayMemories Home retired in some regions; Catalyst Browse is the successor.) 
macOS2 apps
iMovie
Built-in Import from camera/AVCHD folder; iMovie reads the playlist and brings in the clips. Plain .mpl alone won't import. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Binary playlist/index file - stores ordered references and timestamps, not video data |
| Magic bytes | 4D 50 4C 53 (ASCII "MPLS") at byte offset 0 |
| Version field | 4-byte ASCII string immediately after the magic tag, e.g. "0100" or "0200" |
| Structure basis | Derived from the Blu-ray Movie PlayList (MPLS) binary specification |
| Companion file | .mpi (clip-info/index file) stored alongside each .mpl in the same PLAYLIST directory |
| Naming convention | Five-digit zero-padded numeric filename, e.g. 00000.mpl, 00001.mpl |
| Storage location | AVCHD\BDMV\PLAYLIST\ directory on the camcorder's memory card or internal storage |
| Referenced media | .mts / .m2ts files (MPEG-2 Transport Stream carrying AVC/H.264 video and AC-3 audio) |
| Playlist content | Clip entries with in/out timestamps, playback order, and chapter/mark points |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (no formally registered media type for .mpl) |
| Developer | Sony and Panasonic (AVCHD consortium), introduced with AVCHD in 2006 |
| Typical file size | A few kilobytes per playlist - very small relative to the referenced video files |
| Editing model | Non-destructive: playlists can reorder or trim clips without modifying the source .mts files |
| Reader support | Camcorder firmware writes the files; PC software (PowerDVD, VLC, Catalyst Browse) and Blu-ray players read them |
| Released | 2006 (AVCHD format, Sony & Panasonic) |
| Specification | en.wikipedia.org |
MPL conversions
Possible
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about MPL files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I play an MPL file?
You don't play the .mpl itself - it's only a playlist index. Open the actual video clips (.MTS/.M2TS) in the STREAM folder with VLC, or import the whole AVCHD folder into a video editor, which uses the .mpl to keep clips in order.
How do I convert MPL to MP4?
Convert the underlying .MTS/.M2TS clips, not the .mpl (it contains no video). Use HandBrake or VLC to re-encode the clips to MP4; to merge them in playlist order, import the AVCHD folder into an editor and export one MP4.
Why won't my MPL file open?
Because it isn't a media file - it's an AVCHD playlist that references your video. There's nothing to display. Open the .MTS clips it points to instead.
What program opens AVCHD MPL files?
Camcorder import tools (Sony Catalyst Browse/PlayMemories, iMovie) and editors (PowerDirector, Premiere) read the .mpl as part of importing the AVCHD folder. For just watching footage, play the .MTS clips in VLC.
I only copied the .mpl file - where is my video?
The video is in the AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM folder as .MTS/.M2TS files. The .mpl only points to them. Re-copy the entire AVCHD folder structure from the memory card.
Is MPL the same as a video file?
No. It's a metadata/playlist file (Blu-ray MPLS-style) that lists clips and their order. The video data is separate.
References
1Wikipedia - AVCHD (format, folder structure)en.wikipedia.org
2VideoLAN - VLC (plays AVCHD .MTS/.M2TS)www.videolan.org
