ffmpeg Node icon

ffmpeg Node

n8n Node for some Ffmpeg functionality

Actions11

Overview

This node provides various functionalities related to media processing using ffmpeg, including extracting metadata from media files. Specifically, the "Extract Metadata" operation under the "Metadata" resource allows users to input a media file (either via a URL or binary data) and retrieve detailed metadata information about that media. This is useful for scenarios where you need to analyze media properties such as codec, duration, resolution, bitrate, and other technical details without manually inspecting the file.

Practical examples include:

  • Automatically extracting video or audio metadata to catalog media libraries.
  • Validating media file properties before further processing or transcoding.
  • Gathering technical details for reporting or conditional workflow branching.

Properties

Name Meaning
Media File Input A valid media URL or the name of the input binary field containing the media file to analyze.

Output

The output will contain a json field with the extracted metadata of the provided media file. This metadata typically includes technical details such as format, streams, codecs, duration, bitrates, and other relevant media information. If the input was binary data, the node processes it accordingly to extract this metadata.

No binary output is explicitly indicated for this operation.

Dependencies

  • Requires an API key credential for accessing the underlying ffmpeg service.
  • The node depends on an external ffmpeg-based service or library to perform media analysis.
  • Proper configuration of the API authentication token in n8n credentials is necessary.

Troubleshooting

  • Invalid Media Input: If the media URL is invalid or the binary field does not contain a proper media file, the node may fail to extract metadata. Ensure the input is correct and accessible.
  • Authentication Errors: Missing or incorrect API credentials will prevent the node from functioning. Verify that the API key credential is properly set up.
  • Unsupported Media Format: Some media formats might not be supported by the underlying ffmpeg service, leading to incomplete or failed metadata extraction.
  • Timeouts or Network Issues: When using URLs, network problems can cause failures. Check connectivity and URL accessibility.

Links and References

Discussion