What is the PGI file format?
A .pgi file is a binary metadata file associated with video recording systems from companies like Panasonic, Canon, and JVC. A .pgi file contains information about a video such as the title, duration, and timestamp of the recorded video. This file comes with a set of companion files and is designed to complement them - these include files in the .mod video format and .moi index files generated by consumer SD and HDD camcorders from the mid-2000s.
In most cases a .pgi is a sidecar index - it stores metadata about an accompanying .mod file but does not contain video data itself. In Long Record Mode (used by some Canon camcorders for extended recording sessions), .pgi files can instead function as individual MPEG-2 video segments that must be joined for complete playback.
The .mod format is MPEG-2 Program Stream, and the whole family - .mod, .moi, and .pgi - was standard in consumer camcorders until around 2010, when AVCHD and MP4-based formats replaced it in most devices. Because .pgi is a proprietary format specific to individual camcorder firmware, the exact file structure varies between manufacturers and is not publicly documented.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPGI is a binary sidecar metadata file produced by consumer camcorders. No executable content. Safe to open with camcorder software. The main practical concern is that the file is useless without its companion .MOD video file - keep both files together.
Format details
in a nutshell- GAUSS PGRAPH Library File - db_name in our database refers to GAUSS econometrics software's PGRAPH graphics library - an entirely different format (see db_audit_notes).
Programs that open PGI files
Windows4 apps
VLC media player (via companion .MOD file)
Open-source Do not open the .pgi directly. Rename the companion .MOD file to .mpg and open that in VLC. The PGI is a sidecar - the video is in the .MOD file.
Panasonic HD Writer / SD Viewer (manufacturer software)
Free The manufacturer's bundled camcorder software reads the full MOD+PGI+MOI file set from the original memory card directory structure.
Canon ImageMixer / ZoomBrowser (manufacturer software)
Free Canon's bundled software (ImageMixer 3 or ZoomBrowser EX) reads Canon-generated PGI+MOD files.
Canon DVR Software (canon-europe.com)
Free Canon Europe's software download portal; download the correct software for your specific Canon camcorder model. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | Binary, proprietary |
| Byte order | Device-specific (not publicly documented) |
| Primary role | Metadata sidecar index file accompanying .mod video recordings |
| Companion files | Accompanies .mod video files and .moi index files |
| Metadata stored | Video title, duration, timestamp, chapter and segment information |
| Long Record Mode | Some Canon camcorders write .pgi files as individual MPEG-2 PS video segments requiring concatenation for playback |
| Associated brands | Panasonic (SDR/PV-series), Canon (DC/FS-series), JVC (Everio GZ-series) |
| Typical size | 1 KB - 10 MB (metadata variant); up to 2 GB (Long Record Mode video segment) |
| Era | Mid-2000s to approximately 2010 (SD card and HDD consumer camcorders) |
| Superseded by | AVCHD and MP4-based camcorder formats, which replaced MOD/PGI in most consumer cameras by 2010 |
| Format specification | Not publicly documented; firmware-specific per manufacturer |
| Associated OS | Windows (manufacturer software required for full functionality) |
| Released | mid-2000s (with MOD-format consumer camcorders) |
| Latest version | N/A (device-firmware-specific; no public versioning) |
PGI conversions
Community Q&A
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