ExposureRoom - News - Pick the right frame for your Videos

Filed Under: New Feature

Tags: Poster Frame, Thumbnails

First Impressions

The first impression is everything. An attractive thumbnail that represents your videos will draw people to watch them. You’ve always had the option to upload an image to use as the thumbnail that best represents your video, but we’re going it make it even simpler.

How it works

Here’s how this feature will work.

You watch your video
Pause it on the frame you’d like to use as the thumbnail.
Click the button that says “Make Thumbnail”

This process takes a few seconds (10-20 seconds), so wait for a few seconds while we extract that frame from your video and generate the multiple sizes of thumbnails we require (5 sizes in all) and you’re done. So, Watch your video, pause and click a button, couldn’t be any simpler!

You’ll still have the ability to upload an image of your choosing like you can do today. We think this ability is important enough to leave alone. But for those of you who don’t know how to extract a single frame from your videos in the correct aspect ratio, this new feature is just what the doctor ordered.

Note: You have to watch the HD version (or the largest version) of your videos in order to use this feature, because we’ll need an image that’s at least as large as the largest version. This also means that you'll have to wait till the largest version of your video has finished transcoding before you can do this.

Okay, this is a very cool feature. Generating thumbnails in Photoshop and then uploading is a pain. Good work team :)

Think the burning question is when?

Soon David, Soon.

Ok, it's functional from a technology stand point and we're working on the usability aspect. You know, how would you actually go about it? What feedback should the user see. Stuff like that.

This is what I'm thinking...

Mind you, the conclusion is after analyzing a few options and the aim is to keep it consistent with what's already there.

At the moment there is a "thumbnail" link. You see it in your videos page next to each video and then again in the asset display page (the singular video) under the video. Rather than add more stuff here, you're going to click this link.

When you get to the thumbnail page, you'll see what you're seeing today and under what's there, you'll see the video in its largest size but this time with a button under it that says "Make Thumbnail", with simple instructions on top of it.

This feature has been released.
Firefox and Safari users should clear their cache or "Clear Private Data" as Fire Fox calls it. Clearing the Cache in Safari is virtually impossible sadly, but doing it a few times will eventually clear it.

If you see a "Please Wait..." message after clicking on the "Make Thumbnail" button and this message does not change after about 5-10 seconds, your cache has NOT been cleared.

Normal Operation

After clicking on the "Make Thumbnail" button you should see the following messages under the button

Extracting Frame. Please wait... (this message may not be seen in some cases)

Generating Thumbnails. Please wait... (this message may not be seen in some cases)

Almost Done...

Next, the small thumbnail below the area in which these messages appear will change to indicate a successful operation

Once again due to browser caching, you will NOT see the new thumbnail in the video player. Web pages will show the new thumbnail however. If you want to see the new thumbnail, you’ll need close out your browser instance and open a new instance. Or simply trust the system when you see the small image mentioned above, change.

Thumbnails

Shiv,
Great job just changed all mine and it went smooth as silk, you all are fantastic.
Ray

Wow, Now that's what I'm talking about Ray! Now your films look more enticing.

Glad you were able to use the new feature without issues.

Make Thumbnail

Shiv
Thanks, this tool are very usefool

Pick the right frame for your Videos

First Impressions

How it works

Comments

Normal Operation

Thumbnails

Make Thumbnail

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