# Detect scene changes and save one frame per shot

**Use case:** 

Finds the cuts in each video with ffmpeg scene detection and saves the first frame of every shot, with a scene score that tells how strong the change was. Lower the threshold to catch softer cuts. Useful for shot lists, video summaries and feeding keyframes to an AI model. Run it as it is to find the four scenes of the built-in test clip.

## Input

```json
{
  "mode": "scenes",
  "intervalSec": 10,
  "sceneThreshold": 0.3,
  "maxFramesPerVideo": 50,
  "format": "jpeg",
  "maxWidth": 1280,
  "quality": 80,
  "contactSheet": true
}
```

## Output

```json
{
  "status": {
    "label": "Status",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "video": {
    "label": "Video",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "frameIndex": {
    "label": "Frame",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "timecode": {
    "label": "Timecode",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "timestampSec": {
    "label": "Time (s)",
    "format": "number"
  },
  "imageUrl": {
    "label": "Image",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "width": {
    "label": "Width",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "height": {
    "label": "Height",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "format": {
    "label": "Format",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "bytes": {
    "label": "Size (bytes)",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "sceneScore": {
    "label": "Scene score",
    "format": "number"
  },
  "chargedEvents": {
    "label": "Charged events",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "errorCode": {
    "label": "Error code",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "errorMessage": {
    "label": "Error message",
    "format": "string"
  }
}
```

## How it works

### 1. Sign up on Apify or log in

The Video Frame Extractor - Thumbnails, Scenes & Contact Sheet Actor is ready to run with the inputs already set for "Detect scene changes and save one frame per shot". [Sign up or log in](https://console.apify.com/create-task-from-example/g4hkUwBs99in6XaJp) and you'll land in Apify Console with a copy of this exact task.

### 2. Start the "Detect scene changes and save one frame per shot" task

The Video Frame Extractor - Thumbnails, Scenes & Contact Sheet Actor will start running based on the input automatically. You can also change all the input fields, like which frames, seconds between frames (interval mode), and more, to match your specific use case.

### 3. Receive the "Detect scene changes and save one frame per shot" output

Monitor the progress in real time. You will be notified as soon as your dataset is complete and ready for review. Each result includes data such as status, video, frame, and more.

### 4. Integrate into your workflow

The final output is delivered in JSON, CSV, or Excel format, ready to be plugged into your workflow. You can also [run the "Detect scene changes and save one frame per shot" task via API](https://apify.com/quietworkslab/video-frame-extractor.md).

## FAQ

### What does the scene threshold mean?

The scene change task keeps a frame when ffmpeg scores its difference from the previous frame above the threshold (0 to 1). The default 0.3 finds clear cuts; 0.1 to 0.2 also finds softer changes.

### Why does scene detection cost more on long videos?

The scene change task must decode the whole chosen part of the video. Decoding beyond 400 megapixels per saved frame counts extra events, at most one full pass, for example 9.3 events for one minute of 1080p.

### How much does extracting frames cost?

The Video Frame Extractor charges $0.0015 per saved frame. Long decoding beyond 400 megapixels per frame and the video data (1 per 64 MB from a link, 1 per 16 MB from Apify storage) count extra events. The built-in sample is free.

## About this Actor

This example demonstrates how to use [Video Frame Extractor - Thumbnails, Scenes & Contact Sheet](https://apify.com/quietworkslab/video-frame-extractor.md) with a specific input configuration. Visit the [Actor detail page](https://apify.com/quietworkslab/video-frame-extractor.md) to learn more, explore other use cases, and run it yourself.


## How to integrate an Actor?

This Task's input is already configured above. Use it as-is rather than inventing a new one.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For full API examples (JavaScript, Python, CLI, MCP, OpenAPI), see this Task's Actor page: https://apify.com/quietworkslab/video-frame-extractor.md

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).