Convert Video to 3GP Format – Complete Guide

Summary: Video formats played an important part along the years, but 3GP is still here for a reason in specific situations. Users usually convert video to 3GP format to run media files on old mobile phones, reduce the file size, or need to ensure that these files can be shared easily. This guide explains about the format, why people still use it, manual steps with its drawbacks. And at last we will show you advanced video to 3GP converter steps to ensure hassle free conversion.

While 3GP is a dated multimedia format, there are times when you need lightweight and mobile-compatible videos. So, the videos can be played seamlessly on feature phones, cheap android phones or embedded devices.

A 3GP converter video can easily compress bulky videos without significant loss in quality, and that suits for Bluetooth, video MMS, email or other online wide uses. Whether you’re looking for space saving compression, quick transfer speeds or the widest compatibility with your favorite smartphone 3GP video conversion is one of the easiest and effective ways to tailor your clips.

What is the 3GP Format?

It is a multimedia container format specified in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is 3G mobile phone friendly and takes up less storage than MP4 or AVI. While 3GP is no longer commonly used by modern devices, it still proves useful in plenty of scenarios.

Understanding Format & Use Cases

It utilizes H.263 or H.264 video codecs, which allows the destination device playback of compatible to transmission over cellular networks. Although today’s smartphones are able to support MP4 and MKV, the 3GP format continued to be popular in many areas:

• Older generation mobile phones, which play back media encoded in 3GP format.
• Embedded systems, from security-camera firmware to IoT modules.
• MMS systems that have limitations for size and bandwidth.
• Developers and testers targeting legacy Android or feature phone environments.

Know About: How to Convert Video to 3G2 Files?

Reasons to Convert Video to 3GP Format

Here are some scenarios where users need to export video to 3GP file.

• Several feature phones and previous versions of smartphones only play 3GP video files.
•  3GP videos are compressed and storage space taken up is much less than an MP4, MKV, or AVI.
• Due to size, 3GP files can be shared or sent over Bluetooth, MMS, or slow internet connections.
• Some old applications, surveillance systems, and media players still accept or prefer 3GP over the newer file types.
• Playing back 3GP on older devices uses less processing power and battery than heavier formats.

Multiple Ways to Export Video to 3GP File – Steps to Follow

There are several manual solutions used to convert video to 3GP format. Have a look into it:

1. Using VLC Media Player Method

VLC is a popular open-source media player to change video to 3GP. To do so, follow the given steps:

• Launch VLC Media Player.
• Go to Media > Convert/Save.
• Select Add, then hit the video you would like to change format on.
• Tap on Convert/Save present on the bottom.
• Under the Profile, select a supported 3GP format.
• You may have to create it yourself if, as it has parameters H.263 video codec and AMR audio codec.
• Select the folder from the Destination folder and click start.

VLC will convert your video file into 3GP.

2. Through FFMPEG – Command Line Method 

It is a multimedia framework that can convert almost any video format including 3GP.

• Download & install FFmpeg into your system.
• Open Command Prompt for Windows or Terminal if you are a Mac user.
• Then run the following command:

ffmpeg -i inputvideo.mp4 -c:v h263 -c:a amr_nb outputvideo.3gp

• So, just replace inputvideo.mp4 as your input video file.
• outputvideo.3gp is your output converted file.
• Soon, you will have a converted .3gp video file saved to your working directory.

FFmpeg is quick and efficient, but remember, it should only be attempted if you have used it before.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

Manual methods may be free and available to almost everyone. But, before you convert video to 3GP format, go through these associated disadvantages:

• 3GP is highly compressed, so the video quality may suffer significantly.
• Some online converters or players may not support the H.263 or the AMR codec.
• Converting multiple videos will take a lot of time.
• Most online tools are limited to upload size (100–200 MB) and take a long time to process.
• It is not meant for HD resolutions on modern devices, it was primarily designed to get rid of legacy issues.
• Tools such as FFmpeg require a command line and may be less accessible for non technical users.
• The fps rate which jumped around, causing the video to stutter.
• Codec compatibility problems playing back on older devices.
• Audio goes out of sync when codecs not correctly mapped.
• Manual command tuning if you want to convert a different format every time.

Tool Functionality:

• Support 15+ kinds of output formats, like 3GP, MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, MKV.
• So you can process all your files at once instead of opening them one by one and processing each file, which saves time and effort.
• This keeps the quality such as resolution, frame rate and audio.
• Set resolution, bitrate, codec, frame rate and audio options.
• Join a bunch of clips and result in a single video file.
• It provides preview option for video files prior to conversion
• Convert large videos without restrictions.
• Easy and simple design that works for anybody from beginners to pro.
• Compatible with all Windows versions.

Convert Video to 3GP Format – Tool Steps

1. Download & install Video to 3GP converter software to your computer.

2. Click on Select Files to upload the video file(s).

3. You can select multiple video files to convert in one click.

4. Then choose 3GP as the destination format.

5. Next, click on the Browse button as to set the destination path.

6. Then you can see your uploaded video file, just click on Convert button to convert video to 3GP format.

7. Let the computer have a little time to process the video.

8. At this time, you will see a pop up box on the screen stating the conversion is finished, so press the OK button.

9. Finally, check your target location for your converted file.

Frequently Asked Questions – User Queries

Q1. Does converting to 3GP compress video quality?

Ans. Yes, a little is compressed, however with the necessary bitrate and codec parameters, quality loss can be mitigated. Using our video to 3GP converter can balance between size and clarity.

Q2. Is it possible for me to change HD videos to 3GP?

Ans. Yes, but the ending will automatically scale to better mobile-friendly dimensions.

Q3. If so, do the modern Android phones still support 3GP video format?

Ans. The system media framework includes support for playing a few multimedia classes such as audio, video, and images.

Q4. Can Professional Method convert more than one file in a go?

Ans. Absolutely. It has batch conversion, so you can drop hundreds of files in without having to manually reload each one.

End Note

There are many free ways to convert video to 3GP format. While using, it comes with limitations on the video file size, the output quality, or the process is complex. For that, using our video to 3GP converter is the quickest, safest, and most secure way to get the work done. It allows you to take full control of video parameters, works with various formats, and preserves the initial quality. With the help of this, you can export videos in batch.  This tool permits a simple and error-free approach to the method.