Video Audio Formats > AVCHD

AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) is a format for the recording and playback of high definition video.

The format has been jointly developed by Sony and Panasonic. In 2005, the two companies combined their efforts in creating a high definition format for tapeless consumer camcorders. Announced in 2006, the format allows recording high definition video onto 8cm DVD discs, SD/SDHC memory cards, "Memory Stick" cards and hard disk drives.

AVCHD has been designed to be compatible with Blu-ray Disc format and can be used for authoring and distribution of high definition video, though with reduced quality and interactivity compared to Blu-ray Disc.

The first AVCHD camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-UX1, went on sale in September 2006.