Get Media Metadata
The Get Media Metadata block retrieves information about a media file given its URL.
Retrieve metadata from any media file URL
The Get Media Metadata block retrieves information about a media file given its URL. It takes a media URL as input, fetches the associated metadata for that file, and stores the result in a variable you specify via the destination variable field. This makes it straightforward to inspect a media file's properties before passing it further along a workflow.
The block has two key inputs: a mediaUrl string pointing to the media file you want to inspect, and a destinationVar string that names the variable where the retrieved metadata will be saved. Once the block runs, downstream blocks can reference that variable to access whatever metadata was returned about the file.
This block fits naturally into video editing and media processing workflows where you need to know details about a file — such as its format, duration, dimensions, or other properties — before making decisions about how to handle it. It can serve as an early step in pipelines that conditionally process, transcode, or route media based on file characteristics.
What you can build
Real-world workflows powered by the Get Media Metadata block.
Validate Uploads Before Processing
Check metadata of a user-uploaded media file to confirm it meets format or length requirements before passing it to a transcoding or editing step.
Route Media by File Type
Inspect a media file's metadata to determine its type or format, then branch the workflow to the appropriate processing path.
Log Media File Properties
Capture and store metadata for each media file processed in a workflow, building a record of file properties for auditing or reporting.
Conditional Editing Decisions
Use retrieved metadata such as duration or resolution to decide which video editing blocks to apply downstream in the workflow.
Pre-Check Before Rendering
Retrieve metadata from a source media file before initiating a render job to ensure the file is accessible and its properties are known.
Batch Media Inventory
Loop through a list of media URLs, collecting metadata for each file to build an inventory of assets in a media library.
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Get Started FreeCommon questions about Get Media Metadata
What parameters does this block require?
The block requires two inputs: a mediaUrl string, which is the URL of the media file you want to inspect, and a destinationVar string, which is the name of the variable where the retrieved metadata will be stored.
What does the block return?
The block retrieves metadata about the specified media file and saves it to the variable named in the destinationVar field. Downstream blocks in the workflow can then reference that variable to access the metadata.
What kinds of workflows commonly use this block?
This block is used in video editing and media processing workflows where properties of a media file need to be known before further steps are taken, such as conditional routing, validation, or pre-render checks.
Does the block modify the media file in any way?
No. The block only reads information about the media file at the provided URL and stores that metadata in a variable. It does not alter or process the file itself.
Can this block be used in a loop over multiple media files?
Yes. Because the block accepts a mediaUrl as a string input, it can be used inside a loop that iterates over a list of URLs, retrieving and storing metadata for each file in turn.
Related capabilities
Merge Videos
Merge one or more clips into a single video.
Merge Audio
Merge one or more clips into a single audio file.
Mix Audio into Video
Mix an audio track into a video
Trim Media
Trim an audio or video clip
Extract Audio from Video
Extract audio MP3 from a video file
Mute Video
Mute a video file
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