importing .3GP files

[jpmorgan49]

Hi,
I have a Samsung Captivate and it records video as .3GP files. I can't import this file to VideoStudio X3. I did the latest "Patch" and I'm running version 13.6.2.69. Shouldn't I be able to import these videos? Thanks, I didn't see anything in a search of the forum.
jp

[Black Lab]

How are you trying to import them?

[jpmorgan49]

I'm in edit, I go to the "Browse Files" icon and it opens to a file browser. I select a file and I get an error. I've attached a jpg of the error. Thanks.
jp

[Ken Berry]

Instead of getting a Browse Video screen, you should try right clicking in either the timeline or the library window, and choose 'Insert Video'. Another screen should appear titled 'Open Video File'. Now you browse to where your .3gp files are located and choose what you are after. VS can certainly deal with that format.

[jpmorgan49]

Thanks Ken, I just tried what you suggested and I get the same error. I'm baffled because I know the update should allow me to import .3GP (3GPP) files. I could send someone a short video and they could see if they could import it. What's weird is that when I choose "3GPP Files(*.3gp) as the file type I can't select my video even though when I look at the properties of the video it says it's a 3GPP (.3gp). It's like VideoStudio is seeing it as something else.
jp

[Ken Berry]

I'm happy to test it for you. My email address is in the little envelope icon which appears below my photo and computer specs...

[jpmorgan49]

Mmm don't see an envelope icon only a PM icon.
jp

[Ron P.]

Ken will have to send you his email address or just send it to your email address. Moderator's and Administrator's email addresses are not publicly available.

[jpmorgan49]

Thanks Ron, I thought I was going blind and couldn't see the envelope. Please send your email address to me Ken. Thanks.
jp

[Ken Berry]

I got your sample, and got the same message as you did when trying to insert it. That is strange since I have another .3gp sample in the same folder which inserts with no problems at all. Both use the avc1/H.264 codec in the 3GP4/3GP6 wrapper. But the other one has a size of 800 x 480 (which GSpot tells me is recommended), and uses an audio codec " samr: AMR Narrowband" at 8000. Yours uses "mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC" audio at "16000Hz 63 kb/s , mono (1/0)". Your frame size is standard NTSC 720 x 480. Both audio formats are acceptable under the international 3GP standard. Both your clip and the other play happily in Windows Media Player and Quicktime. So in effect the only real difference I can see is that yours uses a standard NTSC frame size, and the other does not. (I also have no difficulty inserting 3gp videos prepared with the H.263 codec...)

So all a bit of a mystery, I'm afraid.

[jpmorgan49]

Thanks Ken! I too was able to open it in other applications. I could probably get around it by using a lower resolution but I like higher resolution. I did find a work around, I open it in Windows Live Movie Maker and save it as a "WMV" File. I can then open it in VideoStudio and it doesn't seem to lose anything. Thanks for your help.
jp

I just tried taking a video in 640x480 res, and it still wouldn't import. Movie Maker here I come.....

[Ken Berry]

I was going to suggest converting it first, but am glad you have already found that out for yourself! That's good as it seems like quite good quality video!

[jpmorgan49]

Thanks and that's not even the highest resolution, I can go up to 1280x720!!!
jp