What tools can help automate the creation of placeholder images for videos

1. Cloudinary: Cloudinary is a cloud-based image and video management service that can automatically generate low-quality image placeholders (LQIPs) for your videos. Cloudinary's LQIP feature allows you to create blurred or solid-color placeholder images that can be swapped out with the actual video once it's loaded.

2. Responsive Image Breakpoints Generator: This is a free Cloudinary tool that can help you generate responsive image breakpoints, including placeholder images, for your videos. It analyzes your video and provides the optimal image sizes and formats to use as placeholders.

3. SQIP (Scalable Vector Graphics Image Placeholder): SQIP is an SVG-based image placeholder technique that can be used for videos as well. It generates a low-resolution SVG version of the video thumbnail that can be used as a placeholder until the actual video is loaded.

4. Blurry Placeholder Generator: This is a simple tool that can generate blurred placeholder images for your videos based on the original video thumbnail. It allows you to customize the blur radius and other parameters.

5. Placeholder.com: Placeholder.com is a service that provides placeholder images of various sizes and colors. While it's primarily designed for static images, you can use it to generate simple solid-color placeholders for your videos.

6. Custom JavaScript/CSS Solutions: You can also create your own custom placeholder solution using JavaScript and CSS. This allows you to have more control over the appearance and behavior of the placeholder, but requires more development effort.

When choosing a tool, consider factors like ease of use, integration with your existing workflow, and the level of customization and control you need over the placeholder images. Cloudinary and the Responsive Image Breakpoints Generator seem to be the most comprehensive and automated solutions based on the search results.