Camcorder Videos Won't Play on Your Phone?
MTS files from AVCHD camcorders deliver stunning HD quality, but they're not designed for mobile playback. If you're trying to watch your camcorder footage on an older mobile phone-especially CDMA devices-you'll hit a compatibility wall.
Converting MTS to 3G2 shrinks your HD videos into a format built specifically for mobile phones. The 3G2 format was designed for CDMA networks and works on devices where other video formats simply won't play.
How to Convert MTS to 3G2
- Upload your MTS file - Drag and drop your AVCHD camcorder video or click to browse
- Select 3G2 as output - Choose the mobile-optimized 3G2 format
- Download your video - Get your converted file ready for mobile playback
The entire process runs in your browser. No software installation, no account creation-just convert and download.
Understanding the Formats
What is MTS?
MTS (MPEG Transport Stream) is the file format used by AVCHD camcorders from Sony, Panasonic, and other manufacturers. Developed in 2006, AVCHD records high-definition video at 1080i and 720p using H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compression. The format delivers excellent quality but creates large files that require significant processing power to play.
What is 3G2?
3G2 (3GPP2) is a multimedia container designed specifically for CDMA-based mobile phones. It uses efficient compression to keep file sizes small enough for limited mobile storage and bandwidth. While newer smartphones handle most video formats, older CDMA devices from carriers like Verizon often require 3G2 for video playback.
When to Convert MTS to 3G2
Older Mobile Phone Playback
If you have a feature phone or older smartphone that only supports 3G2 video, this conversion makes your camcorder footage watchable on that device.
Sharing with Limited Bandwidth
3G2 files are significantly smaller than MTS. When you need to send video over slow connections or to devices with limited storage, converting to 3G2 makes the transfer practical.
CDMA Network Compatibility
Some multimedia messaging services on CDMA networks work best with 3G2 files. Converting ensures your video can be sent and received without format issues.
Quality Considerations
Converting from MTS to 3G2 involves significant compression. MTS files typically contain 1080p or 1080i HD video, while 3G2 is optimized for much smaller screens and lower resolutions. In our testing, the converted videos look good on mobile screens but the quality difference is noticeable if you compare them side-by-side on a computer monitor.
If quality is your priority and your device supports it, consider converting MTS to MP4 instead. MP4 preserves more quality while still offering broad compatibility across modern devices.
Alternative Conversions
Depending on your actual needs, these alternatives might work better:
- MTS to MP4 - Best for modern smartphones and tablets. MP4 plays on virtually everything made in the last decade.
- 3G2 converter - If you already have 3G2 files and need to convert them to other formats.
Choose 3G2 only when you specifically need compatibility with older CDMA phones or have bandwidth constraints that make larger formats impractical.
Works on Any Device
Our converter runs entirely in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- Tablets and smartphones
No downloads, no plugins, no waiting. Just upload, convert, and download.