ffmpeg Node

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

Output

The node outputs JSON data containing the extracted metadata of the provided media file. This typically includes information such as codec type, duration, bit rate, resolution, audio channels, and other relevant media attributes.

If the input was provided as binary data, the node processes it accordingly but outputs only metadata in JSON form; no binary output is produced.

Dependencies

• Requires an API key credential for accessing the underlying ffmpeg service.
• The node depends on ffmpeg-related libraries bundled internally.
• No additional environment variables are explicitly required beyond the API authentication.

Troubleshooting

• Invalid Media Input: If the media URL or binary field is invalid or inaccessible, the node may fail to extract metadata. Ensure the input is correct and accessible.
• Unsupported Media Format: Some media formats might not be supported by the underlying ffmpeg service, leading to errors or incomplete metadata.
• Authentication Errors: Missing or incorrect API credentials will prevent the node from functioning.
• Timeouts or Large Files: Very large media files might cause timeouts or performance issues.

To resolve these:

• Verify the media input source.
• Confirm the API key credential is correctly configured.
• Use supported media formats.
• Consider pre-processing large files to reduce size.

Links and References

• FFmpeg Official Documentation
• n8n Documentation on Custom Nodes