FFmpeg - Can't run on server to extract video thumbnails

BrianO

Joined: 2006-03-30
Posts: 6

Posted: Sat, 2013-03-02 03:05

I have been trying to use FFmpeg to extract video thumbnails so my Gallery3 site doesn't just show the default icon. It turns out my shared hosting provider (PowWeb) does not permit running any executables that they do not provide. This includes running ffmpeg from within Gallery3 (as 3.0.5 now permits) by placing a static build of ffmpeg in /gallery3/bin they block its execution. PowWeb and other shared hosting sites are concerned about the potential for FFmpeg to consume significant server resources if it's used, for example, to transcode videos. I've checked several other shared hosting providers and have run into the same position on FFmpeg.

Someone said that running FFmpeg is possible on HostGator (perhaps using a static build in /bin, but I'm not sure). But their site says specifically that FFmpeg is not allowed in a shared hosting environment, but that it is allowed on a VPS or dedicated server. I am not prepared to spend the money for a VPS or dedicated server just to host my rather small photo site (although I perhaps have ambitions for it to grow...)

I'm interested in finding out if people have found shared hosting sites that either provide FFmpeg directly or permit running it in /bin. Anyone have a good recommendation that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

If this is a common issue on shared hosting sites, is it possible to create video thumbnails is some other way? I briefly looked into PC side software that can extract thumbnails which I would then upload to my Gallery3 installation and point to that file for the thumbnail, but this seems really tedious and time consuming to do for many videos. Any thoughts on ways to do this?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Brian

suprsidr

Joined: 2005-04-17
Posts: 8339

Posted: Sat, 2013-03-02 05:16

You can take a screenshot during video playback crop the image to thumb size and upload it to gallery3/var/thumbs/your album/video filename.jpg

-s
________________________________
All New jQuery Minislideshow for G2/G3

floridave

Joined: 2003-12-22
Posts: 27300

Posted: Sat, 2013-03-02 18:55

Quote:

I'm interested in finding out if people have found shared hosting sites that either provide FFmpeg

Both my hosts http://dreamhost.com/ & http://ithought.org/ have ffmpeg installed a detectable.
have a read:
http://galleryproject.org/node/88391

Dave
_____________________________________________
Blog & G2 || floridave - Gallery Team

shadlaws

Joined: 2012-03-14
Posts: 183

Posted: Sun, 2013-03-03 06:38

Hey Brian,

Re: Hostgator shared hosting, they won't *install* FFmpeg, but it's fine if you run it as a static build. What they look for (and what will get you in trouble) is your CPU consumption. Gallery's use of FFmpeg won't cause an issue.

Take care,
Shad

BrianO Joined: 2006-03-30 Posts: 6	Posted: Sat, 2013-03-02 03:05
	I have been trying to use FFmpeg to extract video thumbnails so my Gallery3 site doesn't just show the default icon. It turns out my shared hosting provider (PowWeb) does not permit running any executables that they do not provide. This includes running ffmpeg from within Gallery3 (as 3.0.5 now permits) by placing a static build of ffmpeg in /gallery3/bin they block its execution. PowWeb and other shared hosting sites are concerned about the potential for FFmpeg to consume significant server resources if it's used, for example, to transcode videos. I've checked several other shared hosting providers and have run into the same position on FFmpeg. Someone said that running FFmpeg is possible on HostGator (perhaps using a static build in /bin, but I'm not sure). But their site says specifically that FFmpeg is not allowed in a shared hosting environment, but that it is allowed on a VPS or dedicated server. I am not prepared to spend the money for a VPS or dedicated server just to host my rather small photo site (although I perhaps have ambitions for it to grow...) I'm interested in finding out if people have found shared hosting sites that either provide FFmpeg directly or permit running it in /bin. Anyone have a good recommendation that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? If this is a common issue on shared hosting sites, is it possible to create video thumbnails is some other way? I briefly looked into PC side software that can extract thumbnails which I would then upload to my Gallery3 installation and point to that file for the thumbnail, but this seems really tedious and time consuming to do for many videos. Any thoughts on ways to do this? Thanks for your thoughts, Brian
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suprsidr Joined: 2005-04-17 Posts: 8339	Posted: Sat, 2013-03-02 05:16
	You can take a screenshot during video playback crop the image to thumb size and upload it to gallery3/var/thumbs/your album/video filename.jpg -s ________________________________ All New jQuery Minislideshow for G2/G3

floridave Joined: 2003-12-22 Posts: 27300	Posted: Sat, 2013-03-02 18:55
	Quote: I'm interested in finding out if people have found shared hosting sites that either provide FFmpeg Both my hosts http://dreamhost.com/ & http://ithought.org/ have ffmpeg installed a detectable. have a read: http://galleryproject.org/node/88391 Dave _____________________________________________ Blog & G2 \|\| floridave - Gallery Team

shadlaws Joined: 2012-03-14 Posts: 183	Posted: Sun, 2013-03-03 06:38
	Hey Brian, Re: Hostgator shared hosting, they won't install FFmpeg, but it's fine if you run it as a static build. What they look for (and what will get you in trouble) is your CPU consumption. Gallery's use of FFmpeg won't cause an issue. Take care, Shad

FFmpeg - Can't run on server to extract video thumbnails

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