How to Open, Edit, and Convert AVC Files

AVC Files

Tim Fisher 

by Tim Fisher
Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire.
Updated December 30, 2018

A file with the AVC file extension is most likely a Kaspersky Virus Database file, which the Kaspersky antivirus software uses to store information regarding updates to the program. They're normally named with a file update number, something like base008.avc.

If your AVC file isn't associated with Kaspersky, it may instead be an Avid Media Composer Script file. These AVC files are created with the Script Window in Avid Media Composer and contain transcripts that are meant to be joined with a video.

Although they're not as common as the formats we already mentioned, some AVC files could be video files stored on AVTECH DVRs or cameras.

AVC also stands for Advanced Video Coding, which is a common video compression standard. Similar is the AVCHD video file format for storing high-definition video content.

How to Open an AVC File

AVC files that are Kaspersky Virus Database files are used by Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Kaspersky Internet Security, but it's unlikely that they can actually be opened manually, on-demand by either program. They're probably instead just used by Kaspersky products on an as-needed basis without any intention of being opened by you.

Avid Media Composer is used to open AVC files that are Avid Media Composer files. You might also be able to open these types of AVC files with CyberLink PowerDVD and Sony's Vegas Pro. Since they're script files, it's possible a text editor may be able to read them too.

As for AVTECH video files, AVC isn't a common video format, so we doubt a regular video player or editor can play one. We would normally recommend a popular program like VLC media player, but in this case, we think the best option would be to use the software that came with the AVTECH hardware, which you should be able to download from the AVTECH website.

There are several different programs that might open a file with the .AVC file extension. If you have multiples installed on your computer, one program might play an AVC file that you'd rather have open in some other application. Fortunately, you can change the program that uses the AVC file. See How to Change the Default Program for a Specific File Extension for making that change in Windows.

How to Convert an AVC File

We highly doubt Kaspersky Virus Database files can be converted to another format because it's a proprietary format specifically designed for use in Kaspersky software.

If Avid Media Composer Script files can be converted to some other file format, it's probably possible with any of those programs mentioned above. Once the AVC file is open, try using a File > Save As or an Export menu to convert the file to some other format.

If your AVC file is a video file used with an AVTECH product, you can convert it to AVI (a much more common video format) with VideoPlayer (this is a direct link to a ZIP file that contains the setup program for VideoPlayer). This program can also convert some other obscure video formats like AVZ, DVD4, DVD5, EDB, STREAM, VS4, VSE, 787, and DVR files.

You might also be able to convert an AVTECH AVC file using a free video converter but none of the ones we typically recommend explicitly say so. If that doesn't work out, then use VideoPlayer to make an AVI file and then use one of those converter tools to convert that AVI file to a different format like MP4, MOV, or whatever you're after.

Is Your File Still Not Opening?

If your file doesn't seem to work with any of the programs mentioned on this page, either when playing/opening the file or trying to convert it, consider the fact that you might be misreading the file extension.

ACV files, for example, can easily be confused with AVC files but are instead Adobe Curve files that open with Adobe Photoshop. Another similarly spelled file extension is VAC, which might be for either an Oc2.316s Cakit file or MikuMikuDance Accessory Settings file.

If you know your file has the .AVC file extension, try looking through the file as if it were a text document, using a text editor like Windows Notepad or one from our Best Free Text Editors list. You might find some information at the very top or bottom that describes the format, which you can then use to research what, exactly, was used to make the file or what can open it.