ffmpeg NodeInstall

Overview

This node provides various ffmpeg-related functionalities, including extracting metadata from media files. Specifically, the "Extract Metadata" operation under the "Metadata" resource allows users to retrieve detailed metadata information from a given media file. This is useful in scenarios where you need to analyze media properties such as duration, codec, resolution, bitrate, and other embedded metadata without manually inspecting the file.

Practical examples include:

• Automatically extracting video or audio metadata for cataloging media assets.
• Validating media file properties before processing or transcoding.
• Gathering technical details for reporting or conditional workflow branching.

Properties

Output

The node outputs JSON data containing the extracted metadata of the provided media file. This typically includes technical details such as codec information, duration, format, streams info, bitrates, and other relevant metadata fields depending on the media type.

If the input media is provided as binary data, the node processes it accordingly and outputs the metadata in JSON format. There is no indication that the node outputs any binary data itself.

Dependencies

• Requires an API key credential for accessing the underlying ffmpeg service.
• The node depends on an external ffmpeg API service configured via credentials in n8n.
• No additional environment variables are explicitly required based on the static code.

Troubleshooting

• Invalid Media Input: If the media URL or binary field name is incorrect or inaccessible, the node will fail to extract metadata. Ensure the input points to a valid media file.
• Authentication Errors: Missing or invalid API credentials for the ffmpeg service will cause authentication failures.
• Unsupported Media Format: Some media formats might not be supported by the underlying ffmpeg service, resulting in errors or incomplete metadata.
• Timeouts or Network Issues: Since the node relies on an external API, network connectivity problems can cause execution failures.

Common error messages may relate to:

• "Media file not found or inaccessible"
• "Authentication failed"
• "Unsupported media format"
• "Failed to connect to ffmpeg service"

Resolving these involves verifying input correctness, ensuring valid credentials, and checking network connectivity.

Links and References

• FFmpeg Official Documentation
• n8n Documentation on Creating Nodes
• General Media Metadata Standards