No movie when converting 3gp to AVI

[santamonica47]

I am totally new to converting videos.

I get 3gp file format when I d/l videoclips from my cell phone to my computer. I have tried 3 different video converters to be able to convert the 3gp files to AVI so that I can watch them on my Windows Media Player, all without any success. All I get is the sound, no movie.

I´d really appreciate any help in understanding what I am possibly doing wrong.

[bat999]

I´d really appreciate any help in understanding what I am possibly doing wrong.

Hi
Try converting the 3gp file with WinFF.
From here ---> http://winff.org/html_new/
Use the preset AVI > MS Compatible AVI

[santamonica47]

Thank you so much for your quick help bat999! It works! However, the movie shows some pixels here and there, is there anything I can do to improve the quality once I now´ve got it working with your help?

[bat999]

... is there anything I can do to improve the quality...

Hi
Yes, you can edit the preset to increase the bitrate.
Use
WinFF > Edit > Presets > AVI > MS Compatible AVI
See where it says 1000k
Change it to 1200k or 1500k or 1800k or 2000k
Then
Add/Update > OK > Save

(Bigger numbers will improve the quality... but it will increase the file size and will take longer to convert)

[santamonica47]

Thanks again bat999!

I have tried all the different numbers you gave me but unfortunately I don't see any difference in quality. Must be something else. Anything else up your sleeve?

[jagabo]

Using a higher bitrate won't improve the quality of the video. A high bitrate will only keep you from losing more quality during the conversion. Ie, crap in, crap out.

If your goal is simply to view the 3gp videos with WMP why waste time and lose quality by converting them? Just get a 3gp file reader/splitter and WMP will be able to play the files directly. Try Haali:

https://www.videohelp.com/tools/Haali-Media-Splitter

Or just use a player with built-in 3gp support. Like VLC.

[bat999]

... Anything else up your sleeve?

Hi
Keep the videos in 3gp format and use a different player instead of Windows Media Player.
Such as VLC from here ---> http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Or SMPlayer from here ---> http://smplayer.sourceforge.net/

[Hoser Rob]

... Anything else up your sleeve?

Hi
Keep the videos in 3gp format and use a different player instead of Windows Media Player.
Such as VLC from here ---> http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Or SMPlayer from here ---> http://smplayer.sourceforge.net/

I agree 100%.

The only times I've used wmp in ages is by accident ... ie. I forgot to set the file association for that particular type. I don't quite understand how Windows media programs can all be so bad, but they are.

[santamonica47]

Thank you all for your advice on how to keep my 3gp files and just play them on another media player! I have now tried it with the SMPlayer and it works great! No more pixel formations! Also a relief not having to go through the convertings.