At Home with Tech

May 17, 2026

How to Quickly Save a Video Frame Using QuickTime

Have you ever watched one of your videos on your Mac using QuickTime Player and wished you could easily pluck out a perfect frame to create a photo? Well, you can’t exactly do that. There’s no “Export Frame” or “Save as Photo” option in QuickTime.

Use Another App Instead

Sure, you can move your video file instead into iMovie, Final Cut Pro or the Photos app. And from there, you can scrub to the perfect frame and then save it.

But that takes a whole separate set of steps and file management. It’s not exactly fast.

What About Taking a Screenshot?

And yes, you can take a simple screenshot of your video window to freeze the action. But that can get you a lower resolution image.

Frustrating, right?

Copy the Frame to QuckTime’s Clipboard and Open in Preview

Fortunately, there’s a simple workaround using QuickTime and the Preview app. Here’s how:

1. Open Your Video in QuickTime Player

First, double-click your video file. It should open in QuickTime by default. If not, choose “Open With,” and select QuickTime Player.

2. Find the Frame You Want

Quickly scrub through to the general location of your desired photo moment and then use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to move the video action frame-by-frame. This will get you to the exact frame you want.

3. Copy the Frame to Clipboard

With your video paused at your desired frame, go to the top menu in QuickTime and click “Edit.”

Then select “Copy” in the dropdown.
(Or you can use the keyboard shortcut for “Copy” – Command (⌘) + C.)

It will seem like nothing is happening. But don’t worry. You’ve copied the frame to your clipboard.

4. Open Preview and Create a New Image from the Clipboard

Next, open your Preview app. Then go to the menu and click on “File.”

Then click “New from Clipboard.”
(Or use the shortcut Command (⌘) + N.)

Preview will create a new untitled image, containing exactly the frame you copied from QuickTime.

5. Save Your New Photo

Go to “File” and select “Export.” (I recommend you save it as a JPEG.)

That’s it. You’ve successfully created a photo file from your video freeze frame!

Three Tips for Best Image Results

Choose High-Resolution Videos
The quality of your exported photo depends on the resolution of your original video. 4K videos will yield much sharper images than lower-res files.
Avoid Full-Screen Mode
When copying frames, it’s best to keep QuickTime in its default windowed mode to ensure you’re capturing the original pixel size of the video… not a scaled version.
Use Arrow Keys for Precision
Sometimes the perfect photo is just one video frame away from where you are. Don’t rush it. You may need to go back and forth a few times with your left and right arrow keys to determine the best frame with the clearest image.

When Would You Need to Export a Frame?

Exporting a frame from one of your family videos can really save the day. For example, if you’re documenting a birthday party, you’ll inevitably come to the happy birthday song and candles moment.

But when you’re recording that, there’s no time to simultaneously snap a photo.*

But you don’t need to stress. Just remember that you can later pull a few frames from your video to generate the sharable photos you need!

*Disclaimer: If you’re talented at multitasking on your iPhone, you can actually snap a few photos while simultaneously recording your video. Simply tap that little white circle on the screen to save each video frame.

But this takes some coordination. I think it’s much easier to simply pull your perfect frame later in post.

Use the QuickTime/Preview Solution

All your videos contain a wealth of individual stills that you can choose to convert into photos.

And the next time you need to save that perfect frame from a favorite family video, the QuickTime/Preview handoff is a simple and quick path to the finish line.

May 10, 2026

Try this Luggage Hack If You Forget Your Lock’s 3-Digit Code

Last winter, I went shopping for a new carry-on bag for our flight to our Delray Beach, Florida vacation. I bought it at a local store in town, and it felt wonderful being able to kick the tires on a few choices.

I landed on a piece of luggage, which included the typical Travel Sentry TSA-approved luggage lock. That’s the 3-digit combination lock, along with a keyhole for TSA security to use. (They have a master key to easily open your lock without busting it and damaging your bag.)

As I specifically bought it as a carry on, the lock didn’t really matter to me so much. But my salesman kindly offered to reset the 0-0-0 default combination.

I quickly thought of a number. He set the code. I bought the carry on. And I rushed out of the store to tackle my remaining pre-trip tasks.

And I didn’t think about the code again.

Locked Out of My Own Bag

Fast forward a few months, and I pulled out my bag for my NAB trip to Las Vegas. I stared at the combination lock and saw that the two zipper pulls were properly snapped in place into the lock. (How organized of me!)

And what was my 3-digit code?

I tried one combination. Then another. Nope.

I looked around to see if I had written it down somewhere. Surely, I would have done that.It was like some other Barrett from the multiverse had bought this bag. The code was not to be found on Earth 616.

I was locked out of my own luggage! So now what?

Well, it seemed I would have to figure out how to pick my lock. That or try the 1,000 combination options.

So, I called upon my inner Sherlock Holmes and got to work.

How to Find Your Code for Your TSA Luggage Lock

I began with a bit of Googling and found some common thoughts on a suggested hack. So, I gave it a try… and it worked! Here’s how I did it.
(Disclaimer: Individual results may vary, and of course, please only apply this trick to your own luggage.)

Step #1
Search for the Notch in the Gaps Between the Numbers

Look closely at the gaps between the three numbers on top of the combination lock. You’ll see they sit mounted on a smooth metal cylinder, and the numbers rotate on their individual rings around the cylinder.

Begin with the numbered wheel on the far left and click through each of the ten numbers (0-9).Look into the tiny gap to the left of the number and see whether the cylinder underneath still looks smooth. One of the ten choices should reveal a little notch as opposed to a smooth surface.

You can also discover the notch by running a little piece of paper or index card into the gap and feel if the cylinder has a little bump. That’s the notch.

When you find it, remember the number on top.

Now, repeat the process for the other two rings with their numbers.

When you’re done, you’ll have a 3-digit code. Try it!

Apparently, that works for many folks.
But not for my bag. There was an additional step I had to follow…

Step #2
Rotate the 3 Rings Forward Together

Start with your notched 3-digit code (that doesn’t work) and then rotate the numbers forward one click together.

Try the new combination. If that doesn’t work, rotate the three numbers forward again… one click together. Try that new combination.

I captured my code on the fourth try.

Elementary!

So finding the notches was the first part of the solution. Then rotating through that specific 3-ring orientation was the final step to revealing the correct code.

I hope this works for you!

Lessons Learned

After I successfully hacked my own luggage lock, I felt so clever… so triumphant. And sure, I could actually use my bag for our trip. So that was something of an accomplishment.

But in hindsight, it’s all rather embarrassing. I was simply disorganized, and I just got lucky (though I did figure it out).

To be fair, there are a thousand codes and passwords to keep track of these days. Figuring out how to get into your own luggage shouldn’t have to be your next gauntlet.

Here’s another solution:

Don’t lock your luggage zipper into the combination lock before you store your bag for your next trip!

Sure, you can still leave the correct code showing on top. That will enable you to test it the next time without the zipper pulls locked in place.

And if the above hack doesn’t work, at least you’ll still be able to use your luggage.

Enough said. Happy travels.

May 3, 2026

Stunning Photos of the United States Taken from My Plane Window at 30,000 Feet

When I boarded my plane from Las Vegas back to New York City after attending the NAB convention, I found a little surprise. As I sat down in my window seat, I noticed that the traditional LED entertainment screen built into the seat in front of me… was missing.

Sure, I understand that shorter flights may no longer offer this traditional amenity, but this was five-hour trip. Huh.

Instead, I read instructions on how I could stream free content from my phone using the plane’s Wi-Fi.

This is progress?

The Show Begins

So after liftoff, I turned my attention out the plane window and discovered the real show was just beginning.

It was a clear morning with just a few wispy clouds. From 30,000 feet up, I could see… the entire United States. (Well, not exactly, as we’d probably have to be in orbit for that kind of view. But it felt like I could see everything. Just not all at once.)

For the next few hours, I took in the beautiful shifting view, and it was way better than any movie I might stream on Netflix.

It’s not like people never look out their window during flights, but you really need perfect weather to maximize the opportunity. If you haven’t done this lately, I highly recommend you look out for the this experience the next time nature makes it available.

Put Your Phone’s Camera to Work

And it’s shockingly easy to snap some great photos with your phone. You just need to hold it close enough to the window to avoid in-cabin reflections.

Here of some of the photos I snapped with my iPhone 15 Pro Max along my journey home. The order is from west to east, beginning in Nevada and ending somewhere in the eastern half of the U.S. after it finally clouded over.

Enjoy!

At Home with Tech

May 17, 2026

How to Quickly Save a Video Frame Using QuickTime

Use Another App Instead

What About Taking a Screenshot?