# Save one frame every N seconds from a video

**Use case:** 

Takes a frame at a fixed interval, for example every second or every 10 seconds, from each video and saves it as an image with its exact time. Good for time-lapse previews, checking long recordings and building image datasets from video. Run it as it is to sample the built-in test clip every second.

## Input

```json
{
  "mode": "interval",
  "intervalSec": 1,
  "sceneThreshold": 0.3,
  "maxFramesPerVideo": 50,
  "format": "png",
  "maxWidth": 1280,
  "quality": 80,
  "contactSheet": false
}
```

## 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 "Save one frame every N seconds from a video". [Sign up or log in](https://console.apify.com/create-task-from-example/lCQMEWFxt0s2VuPhm) and you'll land in Apify Console with a copy of this exact task.

### 2. Start the "Save one frame every N seconds from a video" 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 "Save one frame every N seconds from a video" 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 "Save one frame every N seconds from a video" task via API](https://apify.com/quietworkslab/video-frame-extractor.md).

## FAQ

### Is there a limit on frames per video?

The interval task saves at most maxFramesPerVideo frames per video (default 50, up to 500). If the limit stops it early, the video gets a note with the part of the video that was covered.

### Where can the videos come from?

The Video Frame Extractor reads direct links to video files (MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV, AVI), videos in a key-value store of your Apify account, or files you upload. Use only videos you have the right to use.

### 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`).