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.3GP Files

Evolution in high-speed wireless digital communication networks (based on GSM and CDMA200 technologies) have given birth to 3G networks. These 3G networks are deployed around the world in order to allow consumers access to various on-the-go multimedia services. .3GP is a video file format for mobile phones that utilize the 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards for the creation, delivery, and playback of multimedia files on 3rd generation high-speed networks.

The .3GP multimedia container is a simplified version of the MP4 format that was designed to reduce file size so as to be accommodated by mobile phone video support. 3GPP stands for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which is a collaboration agreement created between various countries in order to standardize the formats for mobile phones.

Common Playback Issues With .3GP Files

As an audio and video container format similar to other formats that exist within the computer industry, .3GP depends on various software and hardware functionality in order to properly execute file playback. As long as the hardware components of the phone, and the PC or laptop you are using to view the video files, are functioning correctly you can generally look a software compatibility issue being the root of the problem.

There are primarily two common situations you will encounter when trying to view .3GP files - one, they will not play back on your phone; and second they will not play when transferred onto your PC or laptop.

If you have taken video using your mobile phone and it will not play the file then it is quite possible there a firmware or software problem with your mobile phone. An appropriate course of action would be to visit the retailer where you purchased the phone and have the dealer perform a diagnostic review to determine the problem. Another option would be to "reboot" the phone in order for it to re-establish its installed baseline functions. The Apple I-phone is particularly good at re-establishing primary functions after being re-booted.

If the mobile phone will not play a file that was transmitted to the phone from another mobile device or was transferred to the phone from your PC or laptop - it is likely the case that your phone does not have the correct, or most current version, of the codec required to play back the file. Failure in the rendering of .3GP files is a particularly common issue if you have a phone with the Oban aac plug-in.

If you have transferred your images and video from your mobile phone to your PC or laptop and are unable to view the file there could be a number of reasons why the file will not play:

  • the software required to play the file is not installed;

  • there is a file extension-related problem which will not allow the software application to play the file;

  • the Microsoft Windows Registry has become corrupted or is malfunctioning - which will not allow the file to open; or,

  • the codecs required to play the file are outdated or incorrect.

Solutions

Often the simplest solutions to .3GP file playback issues are to install the correct version of the software and/or codec needed to play the particular file type. The "correct codec" (coder and decoder) must be installed in order for the file type you intend to play to actually work. Codecs refer to both audio and video that are needed by the file to be played back by a media player.

To overcome some of these codec problems, transfer the files from your phone to your computer hard drive - be sure to have an updated version of a video software, such as DivX Player, QuickTime, RealPlayer, I-Tunes or Windows Media Player, correctly installed - and run a codec diagnostic application to determine the problem. There are third party applications such as AVICodec, Gspot, Sherlock etc. that can help diagnose problems associated with playbacks and codecs and effectively test for the presence of the correct codec in your system.

There are also codec packs that can be downloaded from various websites containing most of the widely implemented codecs for audio and video, and these applications can ensure that you are properly equipped to play any type of audio and video file. Also keep in mind to have an effective anti-virus and anti-spyware security packages installed to protect your system from any malicious or harmful programs that may be accidentally downloaded or attached to these multimedia files and applications from the Internet.

If the correct version of the software needed to play the particular file type is installed and the codecs are current, then you may have a problem in the Windows Registry. A corrupt or malfunctioning Windows Registry has been known to cause a "disconnect" between the operating system, the video playback software application and the file extension of the .3GP file - the end result is the software application does not recognize the .3GP file extension.

Fortunately Windows Registry-related errors can be easily resolved by automatically cleaning and optimizing the Registry - a reliable registry cleaner will go a long way to keeping your Operating System and Windows Registry working smoothly.

Before opening one of these file extensions ensure it comes from a source you trust, you have good anti-virus, anti-spyware, spam controls, privacy software, a registry cleaner and trusted data recovery tools activated and protecting your system.

Creating and Converting .3GP Files

There are basically three steps involved in the creation and conversion of .3GP files for viewing on a mobile phone. The first step is the recording or downloading of the video source. A source video can be from a mobile or digital device recording, an online source or it can also be from an optical disc.

The second step is the conversion process itself. There are various multimedia conversion programs that can handle this task. Make sure that your system satisfies the requirements to effectively run the application and carry out the conversion process. In addition, take care in installing and removing programs especially those that have shared resources because they may damage your Windows Registry. This is one of the reasons why having a good registry cleaner and optimizer comes in handy. The final step is transferring the converted video to your mobile phone by Bluetooth or data cable.

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