ffmpeg Node icon

ffmpeg Node

n8n Node for some Ffmpeg functionality

Actions11

Overview

This node provides functionality related to media files using ffmpeg, focusing here on the "Metadata" resource with the "Extract Metadata" operation. It extracts metadata information from a given media file input, which can be useful for analyzing media properties such as format, duration, codec details, and other embedded metadata.

Common scenarios include:

  • Automatically retrieving media file details before processing or transcoding.
  • Extracting technical metadata for cataloging or reporting purposes.
  • Validating media file attributes in automated workflows.

For example, you might provide a URL or binary field containing a video file, and the node will output detailed metadata about that video.

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 node outputs JSON data containing the extracted metadata of the provided media file. This typically includes information such as:

  • Format details (container type, duration, bitrate)
  • Stream information (video/audio codec, resolution, frame rate)
  • Other embedded metadata fields (e.g., title, artist, creation date)

If the input is binary, the node processes the binary media content; otherwise, it fetches the media from the provided URL.

No binary output is produced by this operation; the output is purely JSON metadata describing the media file.

Dependencies

  • Requires an API key credential for accessing the underlying ffmpeg service.
  • The node depends on ffmpeg-related libraries bundled within the node implementation.
  • No additional external services are explicitly required beyond the configured API authentication.

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 points to a valid media source.
  • Authentication Errors: Missing or incorrect API credentials will prevent the node from functioning. Verify that the API key credential is correctly set up.
  • Unsupported Media Formats: Some rare or proprietary media formats might not be supported by ffmpeg, leading to incomplete or failed metadata extraction.
  • Timeouts or Network Issues: When providing a URL, network problems can cause failures. Check connectivity and URL accessibility.

Links and References

Discussion