CAVS to 3GP Converter

CAVS to 3GP Converter

CAVS (.cavs) is video encoded with AVS1, China's national video coding standard, and almost nothing outside Chinese broadcast and IPTV equipment plays it. 3GP is the lightweight 3GPP mobile container built for phones, so converting re-encodes the AVS stream into a codec a basic handset or messaging app can open. This is a lossy re-encode — it makes the clip portable, not sharper.

CAVS Format at a Glance

3GP Format at a Glance

How to Convert CAVS to 3GP

1. Upload Your CAVS File: Drag and drop your .cavs file or click "Add Files." You can queue several clips and convert them with the same settings.
2. Pick Video Codec and Audio Codec: Under Advanced Options the Video Codec defaults to H.264 for the widest device support; H.263 or MPEG-4 are there if you need an older 3GP profile. Audio Codec defaults to AMR (the classic 3GP voice codec) — switch to AAC for better music quality.
3. Set Resolution and File Compression: 3GP is a low-resolution container, so use Video Resolution to step down to a phone-friendly size and File Compression (Quality Preset or Specific file size) to hit a target. Detail can't be added back, only removed.
4. Convert and Download: Click Convert and download your 3GP file. Files upload over an encrypted connection, are processed on our servers, and are deleted automatically after a few hours. No sign-up, no watermark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CAVS file and why won't it play on my computer?

A .cavs file is video compressed with AVS1, the GB/T 20090.2-2006 standard developed in China as a royalty-light alternative to MPEG-2 and H.264. It is common in Chinese broadcast and IPTV hardware but is not supported by mainstream browsers or most Western media players, which is why it usually needs converting before it will open.

Will converting CAVS to 3GP improve the video quality?

No. AVS1 is already a compressed format, and 3GP re-encodes it into H.263, MPEG-4, or H.264 — a second lossy pass. The conversion makes the file portable to phones and basic players; it cannot add detail that the source does not contain, and a low-resolution 3GP target can only hold less.

Should I convert CAVS to 3GP or to MP4 instead?

Choose 3GP only if you specifically need the small, low-resolution mobile container for an old handset, MMS, or a bandwidth-limited setting. For a clip that plays on virtually any modern phone, computer, or browser, convert CAVS to MP4 with H.264 instead — it is the same source codec target with far broader support and better quality at a given size.

Which audio codec should I pick for 3GP?

AMR is the traditional 3GP audio codec and is ideal for speech at very low bitrates, which is what 3GP was designed for. If your clip has music or you want cleaner audio, choose AAC under Audio Codec — it is still 3GP-compatible and sounds noticeably better than AMR for anything beyond voice.

What plays a 3GP file once it is converted?

VLC and QuickTime open 3GP on desktop, and almost every smartphone plays it natively since the format was built for mobile. If you only need broad desktop and browser playback rather than a true mobile file, MP4 is the safer pick.

Can I shrink a CAVS clip while converting it to 3GP?

Yes. Because 3GP is meant for constrained connections, use Video Resolution to lower the frame size and File Compression to set a Quality Preset or a Specific file size target. In our testing, stepping a clip down to a 320×240-class resolution with AMR audio produces the smallest, most phone-friendly 3GP files. For dedicated size control on any video format, the Video Compressor gives you finer bitrate settings.

Does this conversion run in my browser or on a server?

It runs on our servers. Your CAVS file is uploaded over an encrypted connection, transcoded, and the upload is deleted automatically after a few hours — nothing is shared or made public. The main practical limit is upload size and time rather than your device, since CAVS broadcast clips can be large.