Question 1

How do I install ffmpeg-generate-video-preview with all dependencies on Windows?

Accepted Answer

You need to install Node.js, then download and configure FFmpeg binaries manually, and for GIF support, install Gifski via its Windows build. The README only provides Mac OS instructions, so Windows setup requires extra steps and compatibility checks.

Question 2

Can ffmpeg-generate-video-preview handle video URLs or only local files?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the input option supports both paths and URLs to video files, as stated in the API documentation. However, performance may depend on network speed, and remote videos might have access limitations or require authentication.

Question 3

What's the difference between using this tool and writing custom FFmpeg commands for video previews?

Accepted Answer

This tool abstracts the complexity by providing a simple API and CLI that handle frame sampling, layout, and GIF encoding automatically. In contrast, custom FFmpeg commands require manual scripting for each parameter, making this faster for common use cases but less flexible for edge scenarios.

Question 4

How to generate a preview with frames evenly spaced throughout a long video?

Accepted Answer

Use the numFrames option to specify an exact count, and the tool will sample frames evenly across the video duration. Alternatively, use numFramesPercent for percentage-based sampling, as detailed in the options, to ensure representative coverage without manual timing calculations.

Question 5

Is ffmpeg-generate-video-preview better than fluent-ffmpeg for generating thumbnails?

Accepted Answer

It depends: ffmpeg-generate-video-preview is optimized specifically for preview generation with built-in layouts and GIF support, making it quicker for that task. fluent-ffmpeg offers more general FFmpeg control but requires custom code for similar output, so this tool saves time for focused preview needs.

Question 6

What happens if I don't install gifski and try to generate a GIF?

Accepted Answer

The tool will likely fail or produce lower-quality GIFs, as it relies on Gifski for encoding. The README specifies that Gifski is required for GIF generation, so missing it may result in errors or fallback to less efficient methods, impacting output quality.

ffmpeg-generate-video-preview

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