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Convert 3GP to VOB - Make Mobile Videos DVD-Ready

Turn old mobile phone videos into DVD format. Play memories on any DVD player.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Old Phone Videos Stuck in 3GP Format?

You have videos from an old mobile phone saved as 3GP files. These were the standard for early smartphones and feature phones, designed to minimize file size when storage was precious. Now you want to play them on your DVD player or burn them to disc.

Converting 3GP to VOB transforms those mobile memories into DVD-compatible format. VOB (Video Object) is the container format used by DVDs, supporting the MPEG-2 video that every DVD player understands. In our testing, converted files played smoothly on both standalone players and computer DVD software.

How to Convert 3GP to VOB

  1. Upload your 3GP file - Drag and drop or click to select your mobile video
  2. Confirm VOB output - VOB is selected for DVD compatibility
  3. Download your video - Ready for DVD authoring or direct playback

The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no accounts required.

Understanding the Formats

What is 3GP?

3GP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) was developed for 3G mobile phones in the early 2000s. It uses efficient compression to store video in very small files, ideal for devices with limited storage. Common on Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and early Android phones.

What is VOB?

VOB (Video Object) is the core video format for DVDs. A VOB file contains multiplexed video (MPEG-2), audio (AC3 or MPEG audio), and can include subtitles and menu data. Every DVD player and most media software recognizes VOB files natively.

Key Differences

  • Resolution - 3GP typically ranges from 176x144 to 320x240 pixels, while VOB supports up to 720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC)
  • Quality - VOB uses higher bitrates, preserving more detail in the video
  • Compatibility - 3GP requires specific players; VOB works on any DVD player
  • File size - VOB files are larger due to less aggressive compression

When to Convert 3GP to VOB

Creating Home DVDs

Want to compile old phone videos onto a DVD for family viewing? Convert your 3GP files to VOB, then use DVD authoring software to create a playable disc. Perfect for sharing memories with relatives who prefer physical media.

Archiving Mobile Memories

Those 3GP videos from 2005-2012 contain irreplaceable moments. Converting to VOB provides a more widely-supported format for long-term storage. While 3GP players are becoming rare, VOB compatibility will persist as long as DVDs exist.

Media Center Playback

Many home theater systems and media centers handle VOB files better than 3GP. If your smart TV or media box struggles with 3GP, VOB often works without issues.

What to Expect

3GP videos from old phones have inherent quality limitations. Converting to VOB preserves what's there but cannot add detail that wasn't captured originally. Your converted video will look the same as the original 3GP - just in a more compatible format.

File sizes will increase after conversion. A 5MB 3GP file might become 20-50MB as VOB due to the less compressed encoding. This trade-off provides wider compatibility and better compatibility with DVD standards.

If you have multiple 3GP files to convert, you can process them in batches. Upload several at once and download each converted VOB.

Alternative Conversions

VOB isn't always the best choice. Consider these alternatives depending on your needs:

  • 3GP to MP4 - Better for modern devices, smartphones, and web sharing
  • 3GP to AVI - Good for older Windows media players and editing software
  • 3GP to MKV - Ideal if you want to add multiple audio tracks or subtitles later

Choose VOB specifically when DVD playback or DVD authoring is your goal.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Tablets and phones (though desktop is easier for file management)

Your videos stay on your device - we process locally rather than uploading to servers.

Pro Tip

Before converting large collections of 3GP files, test with one file first to verify playback on your target DVD player or software. Different DVD players can be picky about VOB encoding parameters.

Common Mistake

Expecting VOB files to play directly from a USB drive on a DVD player. Most DVD players require proper DVD folder structure (VIDEO_TS folder with IFO files) for USB playback, not just raw VOB files.

Best For

Archiving old mobile phone videos for DVD creation or when you specifically need VOB format for DVD authoring workflows. Also useful when media centers or smart TVs struggle with 3GP playback.

Not Recommended

Don't convert to VOB if you just want to play videos on modern devices. MP4 is more universally supported on computers, phones, and streaming devices. Use VOB only when DVD compatibility is specifically required.

Frequently Asked Questions

3GP was designed for 3G mobile phones to record and play video with minimal file size. It was common on feature phones and early smartphones from manufacturers like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and early Android devices from 2004-2012.

No, conversion preserves existing quality but cannot enhance it. If your 3GP was recorded at 320x240 resolution, the VOB will contain that same resolution. The benefit is compatibility, not quality improvement.

Not directly. While VOB is the DVD format, you need DVD authoring software (like DVD Flick, ImgBurn, or similar) to create the proper folder structure (VIDEO_TS) and menu system that DVD players expect.

VOB uses MPEG-2 encoding with higher bitrates designed for DVD quality. 3GP uses aggressive compression for mobile storage. A 5MB 3GP file might become 20-50MB as VOB. This is normal and expected.

You can upload and convert multiple files in sequence. For best results with many files, convert in batches of 5-10 at a time to avoid overwhelming your browser's memory.

No. The conversion happens entirely in your web browser. There's nothing to download, install, or update. Just upload your 3GP file and download the converted VOB.

Yes. VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player (with codec pack), and most media players handle VOB files. VLC is recommended as it plays VOB natively without additional codecs.

Browser-based conversion works best with files under 500MB. Most 3GP files are much smaller due to their compressed nature, so this typically isn't an issue.

VOB is specifically a video container format. For audio-only 3GP files, consider converting to MP3 or AAC instead for better compatibility and smaller file sizes.

VOB contains the actual video and audio data. IFO files contain navigation information (chapters, menus), and BUP files are backups of IFO files. For playback, VOB is the essential file.

3GP Conversions & Related Converters

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