Free online MPG to 3G2 converter

What the MPG format is

MPG is a filename extension commonly used for an MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 program stream. It can contain video and audio interleaved in one file, typically using MPEG-1 Layer II or MPEG-2 audio. MPEG-1 video is common in Video CD material, while MPEG-2 appears in DVD-era captures, television recordings, and older camcorders.

Programs such as older video editors, DVD-authoring tools, screen-capture applications, and digital video recorders create or export MPG files. Modern players usually open them, but mobile hardware and messaging software may require a container and codecs designed for 3GPP2 devices.

What the 3G2 format is

3G2 is a multimedia container based on the ISO Base Media File Format and adapted by the 3GPP2 standard for CDMA mobile networks. A 3G2 file can carry video encoded with H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, or, on many newer implementations, H.264, alongside AAC or AMR audio.

The format is useful for older mobile phones, carrier multimedia messaging, and handset software that specifically checks for the .3g2 extension. Its usual advantage is a small file produced with mobile-oriented frame sizes, frame rates, and bitrates; it is not inherently higher quality than MPG and may require substantial re-encoding.

How to convert MPG to 3G2

Using the online converter

1. Open the free converter on 101convert.com and select the video conversion tool.
2. Choose the .mpg file from your device.
3. Select 3G2 as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .3g2 file, then test it on the intended phone or application.

The online method requires no software installation. Do not upload recordings containing confidential material unless the service's handling and retention terms are acceptable.

Using FFmpeg

FFmpeg can demux MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 input, transcode the streams, and place them in a 3G2 container. A broadly compatible MPEG-4 Part 2/AAC command is:

ffmpeg -i input.mpg -c:v mpeg4 -q:v 5 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac -b:a 64k output.3g2

For a small legacy-phone file, specify a mobile-sized frame and lower bitrate:

ffmpeg -i input.mpg -vf scale=176:144:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=176:144:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2 -r 15 -c:v mpeg4 -b:v 160k -c:a aac -ar 22050 -ac 1 -b:a 32k output.3g2

The first command preserves the source dimensions unless the encoder or device imposes a limit. The second targets a QCIF-sized display used by many older phones. If FFmpeg reports that the selected video or audio codec is unsupported in the 3G2 muxer, run ffmpeg -muxers and ffmpeg -codecs to inspect the installed build, then choose a codec listed as supported.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

Conversion from MPG to 3G2 normally decodes and re-encodes both streams, so it is lossy. Keep the original MPG as an archive, and use a higher video bitrate or -q:v 3 to preserve more detail when file size permits.

Older handsets may reject modern H.264, stereo audio, high resolutions, variable frame rates, or audio sample rates they do not advertise. For those devices, MPEG-4 Part 2 video at 176×144 or 320×240, 10–15 frames per second, and mono AAC or AMR audio is more likely to work than a high-definition encode. Some phones require AMR-NB specifically; that requires an FFmpeg build with an AMR encoder and a device-compatible bitrate such as 12.2 kbit/s.

Changing the extension without changing the MPEG program stream does not create a valid 3G2 file. After conversion, check that the output has a 3G2-compatible video and audio stream and that its duration, synchronization, and dimensions meet the target device's limits.