[How to] Create screencaps on linux

[Avek]

We're going to use here mtn instead of mplayer which could not work on ur vps or server coz of something.

What's the advantage of using it?

• No gui required,
• quite simple usage,
• very fast time of getting caps 0,5-5 seconds (on standard settings)

So here we go:

Part I - Installation

Update your repositories:

vi /etc/apt/sources.list

Ubuntu 9.10:
purge everything from there and enter:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu karmic universe multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu karmic universe multiverse
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic universe
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-updates universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-updates universe
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic multiverse
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-updates multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-updates multiverse
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu karmic-security universe
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu karmic-security universe
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu karmic-security multiverse
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu karmic-security multiverse

For older versions read here:
9.04: https://help.ubuntu.com/9.04/serverg...iguration.html
8.10: https://help.ubuntu.com/8.10/serverg...iguration.html
8.04: https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/serverg...iguration.html

Other distro?
Hm well u gotta google

Update everything

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Install required stuff

sudo apt-get install -y libgd2 libavcodec libavformat libavutil libswscale

Download and unpack movie thumbnailer (mtn) binary:

http://rapidshare.com/files/344568205/mtn.rar

chmod and alias it!

chmod 777 mtn

vi /your_user_name/.bashrc
add line:
alias mtn='/your_destination_path/mtn'
plus run that command in shell

Ok installation done.

Part II - Usage

Now how it works?
simple usage:

mtn moviename.avi

You'll get moviename_s.jpg as result

Still u can get some errors with fonts it happens sometimes so use eg.:

mtn moviename.avi -f /var/lib/defoma/gs.d/dirs/fonts/VeraBd.ttf

or other font just make sure that u'll include absolute path to font file.

Useful parameters:

-b 0.80 - will skip screen cap if 80% of screen is blank
-c x - use number instead of x, that's number of columns
-j 90 - jpeg quality in %
-r x - number of rows same as columns
-T text - addtext above output image

Need something different? Check help, just enter mtn and you'll get a lot more options.

NOTE - want to get caps of all files in directory and subdirectories? use eg:
mtn ./*.avi ./*/*.avi

Expand

Got questions? Feel free to ask

Avek Reviewed by Avek on 2nd Feb 2010. [How to] Create screencaps on linux We're going to use here mtn instead of mplayer which could not work on ur vps or server coz of something. What's the advantage of using it? No gui required, quite simple usage, very fast time of getting caps 0,5-5 seconds (on standard settings) So here we go: Rating: 5

[t3od0r]

thanks, will check it

[Whoo]

Any way to make screenshots from every movie file (.avi) that's located within archives?

[LordKJ]

thanks , wanted to use it well was lazy to check it

[Avek]

Well u cannot make screencaps from packed files but u can eg. unpack them all and then as source use *.avi or path of folder with movies.

[hover]

I usually use the following parameters: -c5 -r10 -h 100 -f ~/Cyberbit.ttf -b 0.6 -D 6 -j 90 -g10

Check http://moviethumbnail.sourceforge.net/usage.en.html for more info.

[wf?9]

Two great coderz from ExtremeCoderz are now on KWWH...nice

thnx fr dis avek

[CatchItBaby]

Thanks It works...

[shadow.prx]

Nice post worked perfectly thanks

*bookmarks for future reference*

[Avek]

Glad u like it, note about subdirs added.