ViSIE (Video Still Image Extractor)

ViSIE is a work-in-progress tool for extracting high-quality still images from video files with metadata preservation. It features efficient HEIC/HEIF image compression and comprehensive metadata handling, particularly for GoPro and DJI videos.

Features

• Extract still frames from video files as HEIC/HEIF images
• Superior color fidelity compared to PNG snapshots:
  • Preserves extended-range YUV values directly from the source video
  • Avoids conversions to RGB, preventing rounding and clamping of color data
  • Retains the original color space and related metadata
• Suitable for HDR or advanced post-processing workflows:
  • Preserved extended-range data can serve as a richer starting point for HDR editing software
• Lossless image compression (when supported by hardware)
• Preserves video metadata in extracted stills
• Special support for:
  • GoPro cameras (GPS coordinates, speed, altitude, GPSDOP)
    • tested with GoPro Hero 7
  • DJI drones (GPS coordinates, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure bias, digital zoom)
    • tested with DJI Mini 2
  • Apple iPhone
• Frame-by-frame navigation with arrow keys
• Interactive timeline slider

Security Warning

⚠️ Only process video files that you created yourself or trust completely. Processing untrusted media files can pose security risks.

Requirements

macOS

• Homebrew package manager
• vcpkg package manager

Windows

• vcpkg package manager

Dependencies

• Qt6 (or Qt5)
• libheif 1.19.5 or later
• exiv2
• FFmpeg

Usage

1. Launch ViSIE
2. Open a video file (File -> Open)
3. Use the timeline slider or arrow keys to navigate to the desired frame
4. Save the current frame (File -> Save or Ctrl+S)
5. Find the saved image in the Pictures folder

Metadata Support

ViSIE preserves extensive metadata from the source video, with special handling for:

GoPro Cameras

• GPS coordinates
• Speed and altitude
• GPS DOP (Dilution of Precision)
• GPS timestamp
• Device name and model

DJI Drones

• GPS coordinates
• Aperture value
• Shutter speed
• ISO settings
• Exposure bias
• Digital zoom ratio
• Speed data

Additional metadata preserved for all sources:

• Color space information
• Creation timestamps
• Device information
• Orientation data

Current Limitations

• Work in progress, expect bugs and incomplete features
• Saved files are currently named visie-000 through visie-999
• Some stability issues when handling external storage devices

License

MIT