Tips to open CPI file

Can't open the CPI file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open CPI files as well as a list of programs that support CPI files.

CPI file extension

File Name AVCHD Video Clip Information Format
File Developer Sony
File Category Video Files

The CPI file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the CPI files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the CPI file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 3
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is CPI file?

The .CPI file is an information file. It contains information and metadata about the linked AVCHD video file. These files are automatically created on the recording device (mainly SONY and Panasonic). .CPI files can be opened by video editing programs. They are mainly supplemented by information on high-quality Blu-Ray video. The .CPI file contains no video material and does not directly affect the video contained in the other file.

How to open CPI file?

The main problem with AVCHD Video Clip Information Format is that the CPI file is incorrectly associated with programs. This is manifested by the fact that CPI files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the CPI file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Roxio Popcorn

The first step is to check if the computer has the Roxio Popcorn program installed. This can be achieved by typing Roxio Popcorn into the operating system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below is a list of programs that support the file CPI.

Programs to open CPI file

Remember to download programs supporting CPI files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of Roxio Popcorn with CPI files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the CPI file to open in the Roxio Popcorn application, but you can set it manually. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Roxio Popcorn application as the default for handling the CPI file.

Step 3. Update Roxio Popcorn to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Roxio Popcorn program, it is possible that AVCHD Video Clip Information Format requires a newer version of the program. Some applications allow you to update from the program level, and for others you need to download the installer from the Roxio page and install.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the CPI file

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. File problems can be divided into the following:

The CPI file may be unusually small compared to the original file. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the CPI file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our CPI file. Sometimes virus-infected CPI files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the CPI file. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular CPI file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use Sony help.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file CPI except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move CPI to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the CPI file is blocked by the first application to open it. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the CPI file again. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the CPI file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.