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Video Support

Starsky provides comprehensive support for video files, including playback, thumbnail generation, and metadata management. Since version 0.7.0, video thumbnails are automatically generated for quick preview and browsing.

🎥 Video Features​

Supported Formats​

Starsky can handle various video formats, though browser playback support depends on your browser and operating system:

  • Common Formats - MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and more
  • Codec Support - H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP9, and others
  • Audio Formats - Are not supported yet

🖼️ Video Thumbnails​

Automatic Thumbnail Generation​

Since version 0.7.0-beta.0, Starsky automatically generates thumbnails for video files:

  • FFmpeg-powered - Uses FFmpeg to extract preview frames from videos
  • WebP Format - Video thumbnails are generated in WebP format by default (since v0.7.0)
  • Fast Browsing - Preview videos without loading the full file
  • Grid View - Video thumbnails appear alongside photo thumbnails

Native Thumbnails​

Starsky can also use platform-native thumbnail generation:

  • macOS - Uses QuickLook for video preview generation
  • Windows - Leverages Windows Shell for video thumbnails
  • Better Compatibility - Native previews support more video formats and codecs

▶️ Video Playback​

In-Browser Playback​

Watch videos directly in the Starsky interface:

  • Built-in Player - View videos without external software
  • Browser-dependent - Playback depends on browser codec support
  • Streaming - Videos are streamed from your library
  • Full Metadata - View video metadata alongside playback

Video Metadata​

Starsky reads and manages metadata for video files:

  • DateTime - When the video was recorded
  • Duration - Video length
  • Resolution - Video dimensions (width × height)
  • GPS Location - Where the video was recorded (if available)
  • Tags and Description - Add keywords and descriptions to videos
  • ColorClass - Rate and organize videos like photos

🔧 Technical Details​

FFmpeg Integration​

Starsky uses FFmpeg for video processing:

  • Thumbnail Extraction - Captures frames for preview thumbnails
  • Format Support - Handles a wide range of video codecs and containers
  • Background Processing - Thumbnails are generated asynchronously
  • Quality Optimization - Balances thumbnail quality and file size

📊 Video in Collections​

Videos integrate seamlessly with your photo library:

  • Mixed Collections - Videos and photos appear together in folders
  • Search by Metadata - Find videos using tags, dates, and locations
  • Stacks - Group related videos and photos together
  • Bulk Editing - Update metadata for multiple videos at once
  • Export - Include videos in zip exports
  • Import - Import videos from cameras and devices
  • Metadata - Manage video metadata
  • Search - Search for videos by metadata
  • Export - Download and share videos
  • Geo Features - GPS location data in videos