Using FFmpeg and EXIFtool to Write Metadata in MP4 Files
In this article, we will discuss how to use FFmpeg and EXIFtool, two powerful command-line tools, to write metadata in MP4 files. This technique can be useful for various purposes, such as adding a title, description, or other custom metadata to your video files.
What is FFmpeg?
FFmpeg is a free and open-source software project consisting of a vast software suite of libraries and programs for handling video, audio, and other multimedia files and streams. It is widely used for transcoding video and audio formats, streamlining media, and manipulating various multimedia tasks.
What is EXIFtool?
EXIFtool is another free and open-source software project by Phil Harvey that reads and writes metadata in various file formats, primarily focusing on image files. However, it also supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including MP4 files.
Why use FFmpeg and EXIFtool Together?
While both FFmpeg and EXIFtool can write metadata to MP4 files individually, using them together can offer better compatibility and flexibility. FFmpeg can modify the core metadata, while EXIFtool can handle more specific metadata fields.
How to Write MP4 Metadata using FFmpeg and EXIFtool
You can use the following command to write metadata using FFmpeg:
ffmpeg -i "$mp4_file" -metadata::s:0 language=eng -metadata title="TitleGuys!" ...This command uses the -i flag to specify the input MP4 file, followed by the -metadata flag to set the language and title metadata fields. You can add more metadata fields by chaining additional -metadata flags.
However, FFmpeg has limited support for metadata fields. To handle more specific metadata, you can use EXIFtool:
exiftool -Language=eng -Title="TitleGuys!" "$mp4_file"This command writes the language and title metadata fields using EXIFtool. You can find a comprehensive list of all supported metadata fields in the EXIFtool documentation.
Considerations when Writing Metadata
When writing metadata, consider the following:
- Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify the files.
- Check the compatibility of the metadata fields with the target devices or platforms.
- Avoid overwriting essential metadata required for the proper functioning of the MP4 files.
In this article, we have demonstrated how to use FFmpeg and EXIFtool to write metadata in MP4 files. By combining these powerful command-line tools, you can handle a wide range of metadata fields while ensuring compatibility and flexibility. Furthermore, understanding the principles behind metadata can help you manage your multimedia files more effectively.