About the 3gp file format
- Name
- 3GPP Multimedia File
- Extension
- .3gp
- Format
- Binary
- Category
- Video
- Developer
- Third Generation Partnership Project
- Description
- A 3GP file is a multimedia file saved in an audio and video container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It stores video and audio streams that are transmitted between 3G mobile phones and over the Internet.
- MIME Type
- video/3gpp
- Sample
- sample.3gp
- Wikipedia
- .3gp on Wikipedia
This multimedia file has a .3GP file extension created by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Group (3GPP). The container format was developed based on the ISO media file format to save storage space. It is created on mobile phones, and the data is transferred between mobile devices. 3GP has successfully saved on bandwidth, disk space, and data usage. As a result, they are also used to transmit data online.
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Services) and Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) use 3GP as the standard format in storing their media files. Its ability to make videos smaller has made streaming videos and music on mobile phones more accessible.
As it’s a mobile-friendly format, all GSM-based mobile phones use the 3GP files as the default video format. It can also play on select 4G phones.
The file stores audio streams as AMR-WB, Enhanced aacPlus, or ACC, while video streams are stored as H.263 or H.264. The container format uses various codecs, such as the MPEG-4. However, the file compression depends on the codecs used and the source of the file.
Viewing of 3GP files is not restricted to 3G phones as PCs can also open and play them. Quick Time, VLC, and M player program applications can be used to open the 3GP files.