A TechLore "Ask the Experts" Question...

Question:

Can I print a single frame from a video on my digital camera? If so, how do I do it?

-submitted by scmom

Answer:

There is no way I'm familiar with to print a single frame of video directly from a digital camera. However, with a little aid from a computer, it is possible.

First you would need to transfer the digital video from the camera into the computer. Once done, you'll need to determine what format the video is in. Common formats include: AVI, WMV, MOV, and MPG.

The goal is to use a video editing program to capture a single frame of video into a picture format. If you're a Windows user, Windows XP comes with a free editing program called "Windows Movie Maker", which has the ability to capture a frame of video from various formats (it's the little camera icon underneath the video box). Mac users out there can use a program called "iMovie". If "Movie Maker" is incompatible with the format your video is in, you'll need to use another program, or find a tool that can convert video formats from one to another.

Once the frame of video has been captured, you'll be able to import the snapshot into your photo program and print it. I wouldn't expect marvelous image quality, since most digital cameras shoot video at an extremely low resolution.

Let us know if you succeed in your endevour. Anyone in the community that has experience with this should add their comments in the discussion page. Everyone at TechLore wants to learn new ways to do things.

Matt Whitlock - Editor, TechLore.com