# Automate S3 video transcoding, thumbnail generation & CDN: n8n workflow

> Started by another system calling it, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. 19 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-s3-video-transcoding-thumbnail-generation-and-cdn (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Content](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Content#library)

# Automate S3 video transcoding, thumbnail generation & CDN

Started by another system calling it, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. 19 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomate-s3-video-transcoding-thumbnail-generation-and-cdn)

**19 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 3 Logic 9 Service 7

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **S3 Event Webhook1** Webhook *Starts it*
- 2 **Manual Process Trigger1** Webhook *Starts it*
- 3 **Merge Triggers1** Merge *Logic*
- 4 **Extract S3 Info1** Code *Logic*
- 5 **Check Is Video1** If *Logic*
- 6 **Get Video Metadata (FFprobe)1** Http Request *Service*
- 7 **Invalid File Response1** Set *Logic*
- 8 **Parse Video Metadata1** Code *Logic*
- 9 **Merge All Paths1** Merge *Logic*
- 10 **Generate Thumbnails (FFmpeg)1** Http Request *Service*
- 11 **Generate Preview GIF1** Http Request *Service*
- 12 **Transcode Video1** Http Request *Service*
- 13 **Respond to Webhook1** Respond To Webhook *Starts it*
- 14 **Aggregate Processing Results1** Aggregate *Logic*
- 15 **Invalidate CDN Cache1** Http Request *Service*
- 16 **Generate Signed URLs1** Code *Logic*
- 17 **Log Processing Metrics1** Google Sheets *Service*
- 18 **Send Slack Notification1** Slack *Service*
- 19 **Merge Output Paths1** Merge *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Another system calling it
- **Steps:** 19, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Sheets, Slack
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Sheets and Slack accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on another system calling it.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 19 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 19 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomate-s3-video-transcoding-thumbnail-generation-and-cdn)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)[Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Slack#library)

## Workflows like it

Also content, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Auto-extract & distribute video clips** 19 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/auto-extract-and-distribute-video-clips)
- [**Build a multi-site content aggregator with Google Sheets** 19 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-a-multi-site-content-aggregator-with-google-sheets)
- [**CLIP FACTORY – Long-Form to Shorts Production & Publishing System** 19 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/clip-factory-long-form-to-shorts-production-and-publishing-s)
- [**Generate AI matte painting video variations with Seedance** 19 steps · ClickUp, Gmail](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-ai-matte-painting-video-variations-with-seedance)
- [**Generate and publish weekly social posts with Gemini** 19 steps · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-and-publish-weekly-social-posts-with-gemini)
- [**Log weekly SEO technical audits with Google PageSpeed** 19 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/log-weekly-seo-technical-audits-with-google-pagespeed)