Has MediaConvert frame-capture behavior changed? Is there still a way to obtain captures at intervals less than 1 second?

Question

In the past, we've been able to consistently obtain **9 frame captures** from any video file we submitted to MediaConvert. Below is an example taken from a job for a video clip of ~8 seconds duration.

However, beginning sometime this summer, MediaConvert has been outputting **less than 9** frame captures. For example, this 8 second clip resulted in 8 captures, while a 3 second clip resulted in 2, a 6 second in 4, etc.

*Has something changed with the service? Is there anything we can do to obtain the 9 captures from short clips?*

Thanks for any help!

```
{
  "CustomName": "Still Assets",
  "Name": "File Group",
  "Outputs": [
    {
      "ContainerSettings": {
        "Container": "RAW"
      },
      "VideoDescription": {
        "Width": 960,
        "Height": 540,
        "VideoPreprocessors": {
          "ColorCorrector": {
            "Brightness": 52,
            "Contrast": 54,
            "Hue": 3,
            "Saturation": 52
          }
        },
        "Sharpness": 100,
        "CodecSettings": {
          "Codec": "FRAME_CAPTURE",
          "FrameCaptureSettings": {
            "FramerateNumerator": 8,
            "FramerateDenominator": 9,
            "MaxCaptures": 9,
            "Quality": 70
          }
        },
        "DropFrameTimecode": "ENABLED"
      },
      "Extension": ".jpg",
      "NameModifier": "_fallback"
    }
  ],
  "OutputGroupSettings": {
    "Type": "FILE_GROUP_SETTINGS",
    "FileGroupSettings": {
      "Destination": "s3://filmpac-w4-public/video_clips/FRN_videoClip_AAT1378/fallbacks/FRN_videoClip_AAT1378",
      "DestinationSettings": {
        "S3Settings": {
          "AccessControl": {
            "CannedAcl": "PUBLIC_READ"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Answer

Based on my knowledge, there haven't been any significant changes to AWS Elemental MediaConvert's frame capture behavior that would explain the reduction in captured frames you're experiencing. However, to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend checking the AWS Elemental MediaConvert documentation or contacting AWS Support.

That being said, the configuration you've shared seems to be set up to capture frames at a rate of 8/9 frames per second (8 frames out of every 9 frames). This is an unusual frame rate, and the original intent might have been to capture one frame every second (1 frame out of every 1 second). If you're indeed trying to capture frames at intervals of less than 1 second, your frame capture settings might need adjustment.

Here's what you might consider:

1. **Frame Capture Intervals**: To capture frames at intervals of less than 1 second (e.g., every half-second or every 0.1 seconds), adjust the `FramerateNumerator` and `FramerateDenominator` values in the `FrameCaptureSettings` accordingly. For example, to capture one frame every 0.5 seconds, set `FramerateNumerator` to 1 and `FramerateDenominator` to 2.

2. **Max Captures**: If you're looking to capture a specific number of frames per video (e.g., 9 frames), ensure that the `MaxCaptures` value is set appropriately.

3. **Quality and Settings**: You can adjust the `Quality` parameter to impact the quality of the captured frames. Additionally, consider whether other settings in the job configuration might affect frame capture behavior.

4. **AWS Elemental MediaConvert Documentation**: Review the latest AWS Elemental MediaConvert documentation for any updates or changes in frame capture behavior that might have occurred after my last update.

Given the specific nature of your configuration and the potential for nuanced interactions between different settings, it might be beneficial to engage with AWS Support to diagnose the issue and provide guidance on achieving the desired frame capture behavior.

Keep in mind that AWS services can evolve, so I recommend verifying any information with the most recent documentation or AWS support channels for the most accurate guidance.

Hope this is helpful

Has MediaConvert frame-capture behavior changed? Is there still a way to obtain captures at intervals less than 1 second?

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