What is video metadata and how to view it

A video file contains more than just images and sounds. It also includes a layer of data called metadata. This is information about the file itself, rather than the content you see on screen.

Common types of metadata

Metadata can be divided into a few categories. Technical metadata includes the codec (like H.264 or HEVC), resolution, frame rate, and bitrate. Video players use this information to display the file correctly.

There is also descriptive metadata. This might include the title of the video or the software used to export it. Smartphone videos often include GPS coordinates in their metadata.

Why metadata matters

Understanding metadata is useful for troubleshooting. If a video won't play on your TV, checking the metadata might reveal that it's using a codec the TV doesn't support.

It is also important for privacy. If you are sharing a video online, you might not want to include the location data or the exact time the video was taken. Knowing how to view this data is the first step in managing what you share.

How to view metadata

Most operating systems show basic metadata if you right-click a file and look at its properties. However, this often only shows a small fraction of the available data.

For a deeper look, you can use specialized tools. Command-line utilities like FFmpeg or MediaInfo can show every tag embedded in a file. If you prefer a visual interface, the Metadata Viewer on FrameToolkit allows you to drop a file and see a detailed breakdown of its streams and tags instantly.

Because FrameToolkit processes the file locally, you can inspect sensitive files without worrying about sending that metadata to a third-party server.