Convert 3G2 to H264
About 3G2
The 3G2 format is very similar to 3GP but was designed by the 3GPP2 project for CDMA-based mobile networks (as opposed to the GSM networks that 3GP was designed for). Like 3GP, it's a legacy format optimized for low-bandwidth mobile devices and is characterized by low quality and small file sizes.
About H264
This is not a playable video file, but a raw video stream encoded with the H.264 (also known as AVC) codec. H.264 is the most widely used video codec on the planet, found in everything from Blu-ray discs to web streaming. A raw .h264 file is the pure video data without any audio or container information. It must be 'muxed' into a container like MP4 to be widely playable.
3G2 vs H264
| Feature | 3G2 | H264 |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Support | true | false |
| Subtitle Support | false | false |
| DRM Support | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 1 | 5 |
| Patent Status | industry standard | patented |
| Year Introduced | 2001 | 2003 |
| Developed By | 3GPP2 | ITU-T/ISO/IEC |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 3GP and 3G2?
They are very similar, but 3G2 has some extensions and limitations compared to 3GP and was specifically designed for CDMA networks. From a user's perspective, both are legacy, low-quality mobile video formats.
Is there any reason to use 3G2 today?
No, there is no practical reason to use the 3G2 format for any new content. It is entirely obsolete.
What is the difference between H.264 and MP4?
H.264 is the codec—the algorithm that compresses the video. MP4 is the container—the 'box' that holds the H.264 compressed video, an audio track, and subtitles. Think of H.264 as the book's content and MP4 as the book's cover and binding.
How do I play a .h264 file?
Most standard media players cannot play raw .h264 streams. You would typically need a specialized player like VLC or use a tool like FFmpeg to combine it with an audio stream into a standard MP4 or MKV container file.
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