How to create video thumbnails?

7 replies
Hello,

I want to email out links to some of my Camtasia videos via email, but rather than just put a text link in the email, I want to have something more visual for the reader to click on.

So what I want to do is to take a screenshot of one of the frames in the video and then overlay a 'play' button in the middle of it along with some 'Click to play' text.

Then, this image can hyperlink to my screencast video.

Is this the best way to do this? or are there better ways of embedding Camtasia videos in email?

Thanks for any advice,
Steve.
#create #thumbnails #video
  • Profile picture of the author swilliams09
    Originally Posted by StevieJK View Post

    Hello,

    I want to email out links to some of my Camtasia videos via email, but rather than just put a text link in the email, I want to have something more visual for the reader to click on.

    So what I want to do is to take a screenshot of one of the frames in the video and then overlay a 'play' button in the middle of it along with some 'Click to play' text.

    Then, this image can hyperlink to my screencast video.

    Is this the best way to do this? or are there better ways of embedding Camtasia videos in email?

    Thanks for any advice,
    Steve.

    That's a great question and I'm eager to hear any other answers others might have. But from my limited experience this is exactly how I've done it. I've taken screen captures or exported stills from my editor (Final Cut Pro) and and then tweaked them in photoshopped and inserted it into my websites/emails.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryken
    Hi, well for the screen shot you can use VLC and get the shot with that. As for the button and hyperlink, unless you already know that, then my guess would be to (this probably depends on what email blaster your using.) If you don't have one use this one Email Marketing Software, Autoresponder - GetResponse. This way works and I'm sure there probably is another way with less steps but I know this way will work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian E Adams
    I have huge experience with video.

    Up to now, you can't include video directly in emails. The emailer program doesn't support flash.

    Recently, HTML5 has been released and most browsers have migrated to support it. HTML5 will directly run video without the flash plugin.

    You will need to check with your email company for their HTML5 support or plans.

    I'm really looking forward to the day when we can embed video direct in email. I think the spam filters will grab these first however. Think about it. How much video porn would be sent to your inbox.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
      Originally Posted by beadams View Post

      I have huge experience with video.

      Up to now, you can't include video directly in emails. The emailer program doesn't support flash.

      Recently, HTML5 has been released and most browsers have migrated to support it. HTML5 will directly run video without the flash plugin.

      You will need to check with your email company for their HTML5 support or plans.

      I'm really looking forward to the day when we can embed video direct in email. I think the spam filters will grab these first however. Think about it. How much video porn would be sent to your inbox.
      I think you didn't actually read the OP... nothing you wrote
      is directly responsive to the question asked.

      As for video embedded in email... I can't seriously imagine
      that I will ever really want to send or receive huge video files
      via email. Just give me a link.
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  • Profile picture of the author StevieJK
    Thanks guys.

    I think I will stick to thumbnails with hyperlinks
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  • Profile picture of the author JV Warrior
    Hi there Stevie

    If you are still looking for something to use, here is a link to a file I set up for you.

    www(dot)umejv.com/stuff/video_graphic.zip

    There is no opt in or anything like that. You will find 2 photoshop files and a pdf that walks you through editing with it to add your own images. You can then just paste that into your emails to have a nice thumbnail graphic.

    To take screen grabs of your videos, you could just play one, in windows player or quicktime or whatever you have on your computer, then use a free piece of software called screen hunter 5.1 (just google it, sorry I cannot post links as yet).

    Then use that to take a snapshot of a frame of your video, and size it to fit in the files I list above.

    Let me know if that works out for you ok?

    All the best

    Lizel
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  • Profile picture of the author HigherPrThanGod
    Originally Posted by StevieJK View Post

    Hello,

    I want to email out links to some of my Camtasia videos via email, but rather than just put a text link in the email, I want to have something more visual for the reader to click on.

    So what I want to do is to take a screenshot of one of the frames in the video and then overlay a 'play' button in the middle of it along with some 'Click to play' text.

    Then, this image can hyperlink to my screencast video.

    Is this the best way to do this? or are there better ways of embedding Camtasia videos in email?

    Thanks for any advice,
    Steve.
    FrameShots Video Frame Capture Software! Videos to Images. will allow you to take stills from a video.

    Then do what you will with the image in photoshop to add a play button.

    Then link it to your video page.
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