<p>You can do this with <a href="http://processing.org/" rel="nofollow">Processing</a>.  You would have to write a processing sketch to step through the movie frame-by-frame, and calculate how different each was from the previous frame.  When the difference is above a certain threshold, save the whole frame as an image file.  <a href="http://processing.org/discourse/beta/num_1169227799.html" rel="nofollow">Here is a forum post</a> about something very similar.  </p>

<p>Other than processing, you may also be able to use <a href="http://cycling74.com/products/max/" rel="nofollow">Max/MSP</a>'s <a href="http://cycling74.com/products/max/video-jitter/" rel="nofollow">Jitter</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_Composer" rel="nofollow">Quartz Composer</a>, or a bonafide programming language such as Python.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T07:22:57.353Z
@zio Are you willing to share the python script? If yes, can you get a download link?
user3643
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-11T16:29:49.117Z
@zio Do you still have that python script that can automatically takes stills of a slides presentation video?
user3643
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-08-24T12:24:21.507Z
Thanks. I've managed to do this with ffmpeg and imagemagik via a python script.
zio
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-08-24T03:47:09.237Z
2012-08-24T03:47:09.237Z
lukecyca
<p>I have a video training course supplied as AVI files. Most of the screens are shown as slides with a pointer moving around on them.</p>

<p>I'd like to capture a screenshot of the slide automatically when the screen changes (ignoring when the image changes a small amount due to the pointer moving around.)</p>

<p>I want to do this so I can paste the images into a word or html document that I can add notes to as I learn as at the moment I'm taking screenshots but it's very slow and tedious and the course is very long (around 24 hours play time).</p>

<p>Can anyone suggest how to go about doing this?</p>

<video><screen-casting><capturing>
Automatically capturing stills from video presentation
zio
# Automatically capturing stills from video presentation

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-08-23)

I have a video training course supplied as AVI files. Most of the screens are shown as slides with a pointer moving around on them.

I'd like to capture a screenshot of the slide automatically when the screen changes (ignoring when the image changes a small amount due to the pointer moving around.)

I want to do this so I can paste the images into a word or html document that I can add notes to as I learn as at the moment I'm taking screenshots but it's very slow and tedious and the course is very long (around 24 hours play time).

Can anyone suggest how to go about doing this?

**Tags:** video, screen-casting, capturing


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-08-24. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

You can do this with [Processing](http://processing.org/). You would have to write a processing sketch to step through the movie frame-by-frame, and calculate how different each was from the previous frame. When the difference is above a certain threshold, save the whole frame as an image file. [Here is a forum post](http://processing.org/discourse/beta/num_1169227799.html) about something very similar.

Other than processing, you may also be able to use [Max/MSP](http://cycling74.com/products/max/)'s [Jitter](http://cycling74.com/products/max/video-jitter/), [Quartz Composer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_Composer), or a bonafide programming language such as Python.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks. I've managed to do this with ffmpeg and imagemagik via a python script.  
> **username_2**: @username_0 Are you willing to share the python script? If yes, can you get a download link?  
> **username_2**: @username_0 Do you still have that python script that can automatically takes stills of a slides presentation video?  

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