6d ago

Often videos I took from my phone don't have a thumbnail on my computer. How to track that down?

I have a Samsung phone and I use the default camera to take videos. Then, in my home wifi, I transfer the files to my server using syncthing. The folders where these files are stored is then mounted on a different computer via lan (my main machine). The videos on that machine don't always have thumbnails and I'm not sure why. How can I track that down? At what stage should the thumbnail be generated?

Technical information (based on questions that I am asked):

The files are mp4
I'm using kubuntu 24.10
I'm using Dolphine file browser

Solution
On dolphin go to settings -> preview -> file size for remote storage.

12 comments

dumb dolphin thing I forget every couple years, F12 toggles thumbnails on and off
- omg thanks for this

In this scenario, the thumbnails are going to be generated when you browse the directory. Probably what network filesystem you're using. Alternately, maybe there is a maximum file size on previews? I know dolphin has that option.
- Alternately, maybe there is a maximum file size on previews?
  it's likely this, the mp4s don't have thumbnail embedded and dolphin is skipping the big ones
  
  Yes! This is it. Thank you!

These settings don't do what you want?

try installing ffmpegthumbnailer and see if that works after reboot / relogin, if not uninstall and try another method
- i only ever used arch linux idk how other distributions handle it

Do a test: copy a bunch of videos directly from your phone to a test folder separate from the current one you use. See if all of the files get thumbnails.

What format are the files? What are you using to view the thumbnails?
- Important questions, I've added this to my original post:
  The files are mp4
  I’m using kubuntu 24.10
  I’m using Dolphine file browser

I hurt myself in confusion.

12 comments