AVC File

What are AVC files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an AVC file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your AVC files.

What is an AVC file?

AVC files have multiple uses, and Kaspersky Anti-Virus Database is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Database

Kaspersky Anti-Virus, developed by Kaspersky Lab, utilizes database files which contain details on viruses, as well as data regarding detection and removal of other forms of malicious software.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus utilizes .avc files to store useful information, such as characteristics and behavior, on recognized malware risks. When running a scan on a device, it checks all files and processes against the details in the .avc files to pinpoint and eliminate any conceivable malicious code.

Kaspersky Lab regularly updates the .avc files to make sure Kaspersky Anti-Virus is up-to-date on emerging malware threats. Generally, the antivirus program will download these updates automatically; if not, users can always manually download and install them.

How to open AVC files

We have identified one AVC opener that is compatible with this specific type of AVC file.

Programs that open Kaspersky Anti-Virus Database files

Last updated: August 5, 2026

All known file formats using extension .AVC

While Kaspersky Anti-Virus Database is a popular type of AVC-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .AVC file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding File

MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding File (.AVC) is a video file format that stores raw video compressed using the MPEG-4 AVC standard (also known as H.264 / ISO/IEC 14496-10). The format contains only the video stream itself (no audio track, container metadata, or duration), making it useful for applications like professional video processing, capture or streaming components where a container wrapper is not required.

Files with this extension are created by encoders, capture cards, or software tools that output H.264 elementary streams. Because there is no wrapper, these .AVC files are generally packetized as a sequence of Network Abstraction Layer units (NAL units). Often these files begin with the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS) and Picture Parameter Set (PPS), which carry vital information about resolution, profile, and encoding parameters. These raw streams may later be included in more fully featured containers like MP4, MKV, or similar for playback, including audio, seeking, and metadata support. PowerDVD is one known program associated with this format.

On the technical side, .AVC files employ the byte-stream format defined in Annex B of the H.264 standard. They begin with a start-code prefix - usually "00 00 00 01" (or sometimes "00 00 01") - followed by NAL units such as SPS (type 7) and PPS (type 8). Each NAL unit has a header byte, then raw video payload, with emulation prevention bytes inserted where necessary to preserve start-code uniqueness. Because there is no container, typical stream metadata such as duration or audio are absent.

AVC opener for Windows

We have identified one AVC opener that is compatible with this specific type of AVC file.

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