Recover AVCHD Deleted or lost Video Files (2025)
This article describes 3 effective methods to recover AVCHD deleted or lost files in any situation, along the step by step instructions. Scroll down to explore more.
Deleted AVCHD videos are more common than you might think, but fear not, it’s possible to recover deleted or lost AVCHD files. This article will walk you through the ins and outs of AVCHD files and show you how to recover deleted videos from AVCHD SD card using powerful data recovery tools like AOMEI FastRecovery.
We’ll also discuss methods such as the Recycle Bin and File History, so you can take action quickly and efficiently.
Overview ofAVCHD File Format
Before we get into the methods of recovering deleted AVCHD files, let’s first take a look at what AVCHD is and how to open AVCHD videos.
What Is AVCHD?
AVCHD stands for Advanced Video Coding High Definition. It’s a format created by Sony and Panasonic for storing high-definition video, up to 1080p, typically on memory cards, hard drives, or optical discs.
It’s often used in camcorders, DSLR cameras, or even drones, providing high-quality video at smaller file sizes and often saved with the .mts or .m2ts file extension, known for its ability to maintain high resolution while keeping file sizes manageable.
How to Open AVCHD Videos
AVCHD files require specific software for viewing. You can open AVCHD files with several media players and editing programs in the following.
- VLC Media Player: A free, open-source program that supports nearly every video file format, including AVCHD.
- Windows Media Player (with the necessary codecs installed)
- Sony Vegas or Adobe Premiere Pro: These editing programs support AVCHD files natively, making them perfect for those who want to edit their videos.
- Apple’s Final Cut Pro: For Mac users, this program supports AVCHD files for both viewing and editing.
To open AVCHD files on your computer, all you need is one of these programs. Just double-click the file, and select the program from above to open with.
How to Recover Deleted AVCHD Video Files
Now let’s get into how to recover deleted AVCHD files. Whether you deleted them by accident or due to formatted or corrupted card, there are a few proven methods to try. Here we’ll be focusing on 3 methods.
Method 1: Recover Deleted or Lost AVCHD Files Using AOMEI FastRecovery
If you deleted AVCHD files, but are no longer in the Recycle Bin, your best bet is to use reliable and powerful data recovery software. AOMEI FastRecovery is a top choice and packed with features designed to make the file recovery process as easy as possible:
- With a user-friendly and easy-to-navigate interface, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced users.
- It has a free edition that can recover data up to 500MB.
- With powerful scanning algorithms, it can find files buried deeper in the file system, even accidentally emptied Recycle Bin.
- Support different types of video files, such as MTS, M2TS, MP4, AVI, MOV,WMV, FLV, MKV, etc., as well as other data types.
- Search or filter files quickly through the file name, extension, data type, etc.
- Preview files before restoring to ensure you’re selecting the right ones.
- Works with all major file systems - NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS, highly compatible between different devices.
- ...
Steps to Recover Deleted or Lost AVCHD Files
First, download AOMEI FastRecoveryfrom the official websiteand install it on your computer, making sure to select a location different from the one where your AVCHD files storedto avoid data overwriting.
Step 1. Select the drive to scan
Open AOMEI FastRecovery after installing. You’ll be prompted to select the drive where your AVCHD files were lost. If it’s a camcorders orDSLR cameras card, please connect it to the computer first. Then, click the Scan button to get started.
Step 2. Scan for recoverable data
It will automatically scan the drive for any deleted or lost files. By default, in this situation, it uses the Quick Scan mode, which works fast. So you won’t have to wait too long. It can find files even if they are deleted from Recycle Bin or emptied.
Step 3. Find deleted or lost AVCHD files quickly
In this software, you can use the search or filter feature to find files without struggling to find the original location where they are located. You can preview the files before recovering them to ensure you’re selecting the right ones.
- Search: Directly type the file name or extension (e.g. m2t, m2ts) in the search box for targeted search.
- Filter: Click the funnel-shaped button to specify the “Videos” data type and file size, which can help recover specific files or folders.
- Preview: Double-click the files to preview in a clear thumbnail, including wav,ico, jpg, png, bmp, jpeg, tif, svg, gif, ico, mp4, mp3, txt, xlsx, pdf, ini, docx, etc.
Step 4 (optionally): Search the disk thoroughly.
If you can’t find the deleted or lost AVCHD files, click Deep Scan in the lower left corner. It will scan every sector of the disk to find files buried deeper on the file system. You can also use the search or filter feature to find files quickly.
Step 5: Recover and save your files
Once found, you can select the desired files and click the “Recover” button without waiting for the final result. Choose a different location to save the recovered files, ensuring that you don't overwrite anything important.
Method 2: Recover Deleted AVCHD Files from the Recycle Bin
If you still don’t check the Recycle Bin, just go for it. Deleted files are often stored in the Recycle Bin temporarily before they are permanently deleted. Here’s how:
- Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
- Look for the deleted AVCHD files. You can sort the files by name, date, or size to make searching easier.
- Then, select the files and click the Restore button. The files will return to their original location.
Method 3: Recover Deleted AVCHD Files Using File History
File History is a built-in Windows backup feature that automatically saves copies of your files(if you activate it). Be sure you turn on File History and tryto recover previous versions of your AVCHD files with it.
- Right-click on the folder where your AVCHD files were located.
- Select Restore previous versions.
- A list of available folder versions will appear. Choose the one containing deleted or lost AVCHD files and click the Restore button to get them back quickly.
Conclusion
Recovering deleted AVCHD videos is not as difficult as it might seem, and there are several methods to help you out. Whether you use AOMEI FastRecovery, check the Recycle Bin, or rely on File History, it’s possible to recover deleted or lost AVCHDfilesfrom SD card.
If you find that none of these methods work, consider consulting a professional data recovery service. But for most cases, using a tool like AOMEI FastRecoveryor utilizing built-in Windows features should be enough to get your AVCHD files back safely.
FAQs about Recovering Deleted AVCHD Videos
1. Can I recover deleted AVCHD videos from an external hard drive?
Yes, you can recover deleted AVCHD videos from external hard drives. The simplest method is to restore files from backup if you create one using File History or 3rd-party backup software in advance.
2. How long does it take to recover deleted AVCHD files?
It usually depends on the size of the drive and the number of files being scanned. The more files to be recovered, the higher the time cost.
3. Can I recover AVCHD videos from formatted drive?
Yes, it’s possible to recover files from formatted drive as long as the data hasn’t been overwritten, and there are many methods. Using data recovery software will be one of the most effective methods.