Need Windows-Compatible Audio from Old Phone Videos?
3G2 files are video recordings from CDMA mobile phones from the early 2000s—devices from Verizon, Sprint, and other CDMA carriers. Maybe you have voicemails, memorable conversations, or important recordings trapped in these old video files that won't play properly on your Windows PC.
Converting to WMA (Windows Media Audio) gives you audio that integrates perfectly with Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and other Microsoft applications. WMA delivers excellent compression at low bitrates, making it ideal for voice recordings from old phones.
How to Convert 3G2 to WMA
- Upload your 3G2 file – Drag and drop your old mobile video or click to browse your device
- Confirm WMA output – WMA ensures seamless playback in Windows Media Player and compatibility with Windows devices
- Download your audio – Get your extracted WMA file ready for Windows applications or portable devices
The conversion runs entirely in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, and your files remain private throughout the process.
Understanding 3G2 and WMA Formats
3G2 (3GPP2) is a multimedia container developed for CDMA2000 networks. It stores both video and audio, with audio typically encoded using EVRC, QCELP, or SMV codecs—all optimized for voice transmission on mobile networks.
- 3G2 audio codecs – EVRC, EVRC-B, EVRC-WB, QCELP (13K), SMV, VMR-WB (designed for voice clarity)
- WMA specifications – Supports 8 to 96 kHz sample rates, bitrates from 5 to 384 kbps
- WMA compression – At 64 kbps, WMA often matches MP3 quality at 128 kbps
- File efficiency – WMA creates smaller files than MP3 at equivalent quality levels
While 3G2 files served their purpose for early mobile networks, WMA provides superior compression and native Windows integration.
Why Convert to WMA Format?
Native Windows Integration
WMA is Microsoft's proprietary audio format. Files play instantly in Windows Media Player without codecs or plugins. Windows recognizes WMA natively for file previews, metadata display, and search indexing.
Excellent Low-Bitrate Performance
Microsoft designed WMA to excel at low bitrates. At 64 kbps, WMA delivers quality that rivals MP3 at 128 kbps. For voice recordings from old phones—which have limited original quality—WMA produces compact files without audible degradation.
Full Metadata Support
WMA files store complete metadata: title, artist, album, genre, and custom tags. Organize your extracted audio in Windows Media Player's library with proper cataloging and album art support.
Legacy Device Compatibility
Many older portable media players, car stereos, and devices from the 2000s-2010s support WMA natively. If you're transferring audio to legacy hardware, WMA often works where other formats might not.
Common Uses for 3G2 to WMA Conversion
Windows Media Player Libraries
Extract audio from old phone videos and add them directly to your Windows Media Player library. WMA files integrate seamlessly with Windows' built-in media management, including playlists, ratings, and sync features.
Legacy Portable Devices
Older MP3 players, Zune devices, and early smartphones often handle WMA more reliably than modern formats like AAC. If your device is from the Windows Mobile or early Windows Phone era, WMA is the natural choice.
Voice Recording Archives
Old phone voicemails and voice memos deserve preservation. WMA's efficient compression keeps archive sizes manageable while maintaining speech clarity for future playback.
Windows Movie Maker Projects
If you're editing video projects in Windows Movie Maker or older Windows video editors, WMA audio imports without conversion issues. Extract the audio from 3G2 files and drop it directly into your timeline.
WMA vs Other Audio Formats
Different formats serve different purposes. Here's when each makes sense:
- Choose WMA when: Using Windows Media Player, syncing to older Windows devices, need small files for voice recordings
- Choose MP3 when: Maximum compatibility is essential across all platforms and decades of devices
- Choose AAC when: Using Apple devices or need the best quality-to-size ratio for modern systems
For dedicated Windows users with Windows Media Player workflows, WMA remains a solid choice. For cross-platform use, consider our 3G2 to MP3 converter for universal compatibility, or 3G2 to AAC converter for Apple devices.
WMA Codec Variants Explained
WMA actually encompasses several codecs, each with different strengths:
- WMA Standard – General-purpose lossy compression, comparable to MP3 (what most users need)
- WMA Pro – Supports multichannel and high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz
- WMA Lossless – Perfect quality preservation with compression, similar to FLAC
- WMA Voice – Optimized specifically for speech at very low bitrates
Our converter uses WMA Standard, which provides the best balance of quality, file size, and compatibility for extracted phone audio.
Audio Quality Expectations
Set realistic expectations when converting old phone recordings:
- Source limitations matter – CDMA phone audio was typically recorded at 8-16 kHz sample rate
- Voice-optimized codecs – Original 3G2 audio prioritized speech clarity over full-range audio
- Clean extraction – We preserve whatever quality exists without adding degradation
- WMA efficiency – Low bitrates work well since the source audio has limited bandwidth
Converting to WMA won't upgrade the original recording quality, but it will make the audio accessible on Windows systems in an efficient format.
Batch Convert Multiple Files
Have a folder full of old 3G2 recordings from backup storage? Upload multiple files and extract WMA audio from all of them simultaneously. Perfect for archiving an entire collection of legacy phone recordings into your Windows Media Player library.
Works on Any Device
Convert 3G2 to WMA directly in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android
No downloads, no plugins, no registration required. The conversion happens client-side for maximum privacy.
