What is 3G2 Format?
3G2 (3GPP2) is a multimedia container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 for CDMA2000 mobile phones. It stores video and audio streams optimized for cellular networks with limited bandwidth.
The format is based on ISO/IEC 14496-12 (MPEG-4 Part 12) and supports H.263, H.264, and MPEG-4 video codecs. Audio can be encoded using AMR, EVRC, QCELP, or AAC. 3G2 was widely used on phones from carriers like Verizon and Sprint during the 2000s.
What is FLV Format?
FLV (Flash Video) is a container format created by Adobe for streaming video over the internet using Flash Player. It was the dominant web video format from 2005 to 2015, powering early YouTube and most video-sharing sites.
FLV supports Sorenson Spark (H.263 variant), On2 VP6, and H.264 video codecs. Audio options include MP3, Nellymoser, Speex, and AAC. While Flash Player reached end-of-life in 2020, FLV files remain playable in VLC, Adobe Animate, and other media players.
3G2 vs FLV Comparison
Both formats serve different purposes but share some codec compatibility:
- 3G2 strengths – Low bandwidth, mobile-optimized, small file sizes
- FLV strengths – Web streaming, progressive download, better compression with VP6
- Shared codecs – Both can contain H.264 and AAC
- File sizes – FLV with VP6 typically offers 30-50% better compression than 3G2
Choose FLV when working with legacy Flash-based players or Adobe Animate projects. For modern use, consider converting to MP4 instead.
How to Convert 3G2 to FLV
- Upload your 3G2 file – Select the video from your device or drag and drop
- Confirm FLV output – The converter applies optimized VP6/H.264 encoding
- Download your file – Get your Flash Video file ready for use
Conversion happens in your browser with no software to install. Your files remain private throughout the process.
Codec and Technical Notes
Understanding the codec transition helps ensure quality conversion:
- Video re-encoding – 3G2 H.263/H.264 video is transcoded to FLV-compatible Sorenson Spark or VP6
- Audio handling – EVRC/AMR audio from 3G2 converts to MP3 or AAC in FLV
- Resolution limits – Original 3G2 resolutions (typically 176x144 to 640x480) are preserved
- Frame rate – Standard 15-30 fps from mobile recordings carries over
VP6 encoding provides better quality at lower bitrates than the original 3G2 compression, so file sizes often decrease during conversion.
Batch Convert Multiple Files
Have multiple 3G2 files from old phones? Upload them all at once for batch processing. This is useful when archiving mobile video collections or preparing content for legacy Flash applications.
Works on Any Device
No software installation required. Convert 3G2 to FLV directly in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android