The DSpace system is configured to automatically create a preview taken from video content itself upon deposit. However sometimes this preview may appear as a black screen or some other odd-looking image. An alternative to using the automatic approach is to create a custom video thumbnail instead.

How to create custom video thumbnails

OPTION 1

Create your own image or cover art then save as a small size jpeg file (72 dpi). Either create an image in Photoshop or take a screen shot of the video at a desired time.

For example, the following image is used as thumbnail for all video items in oral histories project.

OPTION 2

Extract a different snapshot from the video file using command line utility. Note: ffmpeg software is no longer available on the Mac Station in the digital curation lab.

command to generate the thumbnail for the video:

ffmpeg -i -ss -vcodec mjpeg -vframes 1 -f image2

For the command, you need to provide:

1. for -i supply mp4 file name, for example, v1.mp4;

2. for -ss supply time to pick the clip in format hours: minutes: seconds (00:00:00)

3. provide name of output jpg file

For example, the following command extracts an image from a video file named "file_739987_closets-and-walls-3-mts.mp4" at 11 seconds and outputs to file named "img.jpg"

ffmpeg -i file_739987_closets-and-walls-3-mts.mp4 -ss 00:00:11  -vcodec mjpeg -vframes 1 -f image2 img.jpg

Reference see : ffmpeg to capture screenshot from a video file in a fine time unit 

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3827611/ffmpeg-to-capture-screenshot-from-a-video-file-in-a-fine-time-unit

OPTION 3

Export a video thumbnail via Premiere Pro. See Export a still image at  https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/export-still-image.html. A benefit of using Premiere is the color quality, where the bit depth matches the source video. Note: Adobe Premiere Pro software is available at DMC

How to upload new video thumbnails

1. Rename JPG to match video filename plus .jpg

2. Upload to “thumbnail” bundle for each item

Note: once new file is uploaded, the new video thumbnail will appear immediately.

Example: