How do I change the aspect ratio of a video preview thumbnail?

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How do I change the aspect ratio of a video preview thumbnail?

Operating on High Sierra, how do I change the preview image in finder of a video to a widescreen image of what I want?

When I load an MP4 in Quicktime, I find a frame and I copy the image. Right click on the file and select "get info" then paste it on the icon in the top left corner where my copied image will then appear, however it only shows up full screen and I would prefer it widescreen so my copied image isn't being squashed.

How do I change this to default as the correct aspect ratio?

MacBook Air, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Sep 12, 2018 9:20 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 12, 2018 10:19 AM in response to jordanfromabbotsford

Unfortunately, you can't do this directly, but you have to use a workaroun

In High Sierra, if you add a nonsquare image as your icon it will be distorted. This used to work fine in previous versions, sigh...

What you can do is edit the image slightly, adding transparent areas at the top and bottom.

Say your image is 400x300.

Create a new image file in, say, Pixelmator, that is 400x400 and paste your image inside. That will create an image that is square, but the top and bottom are just transparent. Copy and paste that into the Get Info window icon, and you're set.

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How do I change the aspect ratio of a video preview thumbnail?

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