I'll admit I was expecting an explanation of how to extract sprites from retro video game footage using FFmpeg, which I can see totally being possible with a bit of work.
The term "sprite" is mostly used in games. A single image file that contains multiple sub-images is called a "sprite sheet". (This reduces overhead compared to loading a large number of image files.) In this case they happen to be video thumbnails.
I’m trying to remember the name of a UI control that could be backed by something like this. It was a sequence of thumbnails laid out in a row like a film strip. (For all I know, that was what it was called.)
We had to make do with Shape Tables in AppleSoft BASIC…good times drawing those out manually on graph paper. And then XOR-ing them onto the background. Amazing how good games were on the Apple ][ without dedicated graphics hardware.
Is it common to call these sprites in British English? I would call them "thumbnails".
I'll admit I was expecting an explanation of how to extract sprites from retro video game footage using FFmpeg, which I can see totally being possible with a bit of work.
I was thinking the opposite: Using FFmpeg as a sprite engine, to move sprites around, over background layers
Overlaying them at fixed positions is trivially easy, but animating the movement may take some work.
The term "sprite" is mostly used in games. A single image file that contains multiple sub-images is called a "sprite sheet". (This reduces overhead compared to loading a large number of image files.) In this case they happen to be video thumbnails.
A long time ago, we used this approach to play videos at 15 fps in IE6, with no flash or realplayer plugins required! No sound though...
interesting will probably integrate as sprite mode in my ffmpeg video editor https://newbeelearn.com/tools/videoeditor/
Back in the day a sprite was a smaller 2d bitmap you'd superimpose on the screen. A key frame was a marker like this.
I’m trying to remember the name of a UI control that could be backed by something like this. It was a sequence of thumbnails laid out in a row like a film strip. (For all I know, that was what it was called.)
Could be a poster frame or chapter frame or chapter marker
Yes, and the sprites were supported by a specific coprocessor. For example, the Apple II didn't have one.
We had to make do with Shape Tables in AppleSoft BASIC…good times drawing those out manually on graph paper. And then XOR-ing them onto the background. Amazing how good games were on the Apple ][ without dedicated graphics hardware.
I wish there was some way to get vlc to use external sprite files.
While I'm thinking about it, external chapter files would be great too. Then you could make your own bookmarks without modifying the video file.
Cool thanks