Video support with PhotoStructure

Why? #

PhotoStructure uses open source video processing software to extract preview images and transcode the videos in your library so they can be streamed to browsers on your mobile and computer.

Unfortunately, due to patent and licensing issues surrounding video formats, it’s up to you to manually install one of these software packages on your own computer.

If you don’t have videos you want to include in your PhotoStructure library, you can skip this step and continue with your installation.

Which should I install? #

FFmpeg runs in a terminal.

VLC has a graphical interface, and uses FFmpeg under the hood.

If you’re not comfortable with installing command line applications, you should use VLC.

PhotoStructure library imports are faster when FFmpeg is available versus VLC. If both are installed, FFmpeg will be used.

🛡 Consider using VirusTotal #

Always scan any software before installation.

macOS installation #

• If you use Homebrew, run brew install ffmpeg

• Otherwise, download and install VLC from https://www.videolan.org/.

After you install VLC, you must open it at least once. You should see this dialog:

PhotoStructure can’t use VLC until you’ve clicked “Open” in this dialog.

Windows 10 installation #

Easiest solution #

• Download and install VLC from https://www.videolan.org/

Alternative solutions #

• If you use Scoop, run scoop install ffmpeg

• If you use Chocolatey, run choco install ffmpeg

• If you’re a cygwin user, note that they don’t have an FFmpeg package, at least as of January 2021.

• The FFmpeg website has Windows builds available, but those are archives, not installers, so you’ll need to manually extract the contents and add the resulting bin directory to your %PATH%.

Ubuntu installation #

Open a terminal and run

sudo apt-get install ffmpeg

Note that the Snap Store versions of VLC and FFmpeg do not work with PhotoStructure.

And then… #

If you installed VLC:

1. Start VLC,
2. Accept the privacy policy, then
3. Go to Preferences, and pick “automatically check for updates.”

After installing VLC or FFmpeg, you can continue with the PhotoStructure installation.

🎁 Please donate #

FFmpeg and VLC development takes time and money.

If you’re financially able, please consider:

• donating to FFmpeg
• donating to VLC (click the “donate” button in the header).

(PhotoStructure doesn’t have any financial interest or connection with either FFmpeg or VLC)

Missed this the first time? Don’t Panic. #

If you missed this notice the first time around, don’t fret:

1. Follow the steps above to install FFmpeg or VLC, then
2. Restart PhotoStructure, then
3. Click PhotoStructure’s ☰ navigation menu and select Restart sync, or if you want to be thorough, pick Rebuild.

PhotoStructure will re-scan your library and import your videos.

Do you want video thumbnails, but don’t want transcoded videos? #

1. Install either VLC or FFmpeg
2. Set the transcodeVideo library setting to false.
3. Start PhotoStructure and run sync

• Getting Started
• Docs

Hi! I’m Matthew, the author of PhotoStructure. I’m a dad, amateur photographer, and author of open source, adtech, fintech, and edtech software since the turn of the millennium. He/him. I am building a self-hosted, safe, and fast new home for all your photos and videos.
Your memories deserve PhotoStructure. Try it out for free!