This article describes the different file formats that use the AVE file extension. It also explains how to open and convert each type.
A file with the AVE file extension is most likely an ArcView Avenue script that adds new functionality to Esri's ArcGIS program, but your AVE file may also display other formats.
Some are user settings files. They store user preferences for various Avid software programs and are sometimes stored with an AVS file (Avid Project Preferences).
If neither is correct for your file, it is likely an Avigilon video file created by video surveillance equipment.