MediaInfo
mediaarea.net
What it is
MediaInfo displays technical and tag information for video and audio files. It reports details about the container, video and audio streams, text, and chapters, and reads formats including MPEG-4, Matroska, AVI, MXF, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, MP3, AAC, FLAC, SRT, and ASS. Results can be viewed in text, sheet, tree, or HTML form and exported as text, CSV, or HTML. The software is available as a graphical interface, command-line tool, and library, with operating-system shell integration through drag and drop and context menus. MediaInfo is open-source under a BSD-style license; its listed software price is free. MediaInfoOnline offers a browser-based option and states that files remain on the user's machine rather than being uploaded to MediaArea servers, though it is described as a technology preview. Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux distributions, as well as a JavaScript module and source builds. MediaArea separately offers integration, maintenance, development, and support services at unlisted prices.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- MediaInfo presents technical and tag metadata from video and audio files in one interface.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Purpose
- MediaInfo displays technical and tag data for video and audio files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Platforms
- Official downloads cover Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Raspbian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Fedora, openSUSE, Arch, Gentoo, Flatpak, Snap and AWS Lambda.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Privacy
- MediaArea says it collects minimal personal data, does not use it to track users, and does not sell it to other companies.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Support
- Users are directed to FAQs, bug reports, feature requests, issue trackers, and a forum; developers can use the SDK and source build instructions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- License
- MediaInfo is open-source software under a BSD-style license.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Headquarters
- Pignan, FranceRead 28 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Founded
- 2007Read 28 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Company
- MediaArea.net SARL is described as a French company founded in 2007 and wholly held by Jérôme Martinez, with reported shareholder equity of €125,000.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Maker
- MediaArea describes itself as an open-source software company focused on digital media analysis.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- API and SDK
- Developers can embed MediaInfoLib through static or dynamic interfaces, with SDK guidance for supported languages, initialization, file opening and field retrieval.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Browser option
- MediaInfoOnline runs in a browser and states that files stay on the user's machine and are not uploaded to MediaArea's servers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Company profile
- LinkedIn lists MediaArea as self-owned, headquartered in Curienne, France, founded in 2007 and employing 2–10 people.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Dependencies
- The licence page identifies ZenLib under zlib terms and optional Qt, WxWidgets, TinyXML-2, zlib, libcurl, libmms and other components.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Distribution options
- The download page lists distro packages, a JavaScript module and source builds for other operating systems or CPU architectures.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Documentation and support
- The support area provides FAQs, format lists, SDK and source-build material, issue trackers, forums and paid integration or maintenance services.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Downloads
- The download page lists releases for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and multiple Linux distributions, plus a JavaScript module and source builds.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Export
- Reports can be exported as text, CSV or HTML from the desktop product.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Formats
- Supported analysis includes families such as MP4, QuickTime, Matroska, AVI, MPEG, MXF, MPEG-TS, WMV, FLV, Real, FLAC, AAC, DTS and many subtitle formats.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Integration
- MediaInfo can integrate with the operating system shell through drag and drop and context menus.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Interfaces
- MediaInfo is distributed as graphical, command-line and dynamic-library interfaces.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Internationalization
- The software supports displaying languages across operating systems and accepts volunteer localization.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Language bindings
- The DLL documentation gives examples for C, C++, GCC, MinGW, Borland, Visual C++, Visual Basic, C# and J#.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Licence
- MediaInfo is open source under a BSD-style two-clause licence permitting redistribution and modification with required notices and warranty disclaimers.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Limit: detection accuracy
- VideoHelp reviews report occasional missing or inaccurate bitrate, MKV, DVD and MPEG-TS information, including crashes in older versions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · videohelp.com
- Limit: installer history
- SourceForge and Free-Codecs reviews complain that older installers bundled OpenCandy or unrelated offers and that portable builds were unavailable at times.Read 14 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
- Limit: interface
- VideoHelp reviewers repeatedly criticize the graphical interface as dated, ugly or awkward and request a redesign.Read 14 Oct 2026 · videohelp.com
- Limit: paid features
- A Mac App Store reviewer objects to unclear Pro feature boundaries and extra payment for preferences or comparison functionality.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Metadata
- It reports container, video, audio, text, and chapter information.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Metadata coverage
- Reports can include container, video, audio, subtitle and chapter information such as codecs, rates, dimensions, languages and dates.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Online use
- MediaInfoOnline is a browser technology preview that analyzes files locally without uploading them to the service.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Output views
- The application provides text, sheet, tree and HTML-style views and lets users customize those presentations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Paid support
- MediaArea offers paid integration, maintenance, custom development, and customized support services.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Praise: detailed output
- Mac App Store reviewers praise the detailed file information, JSON output, quick operation and usefulness for troubleshooting media libraries.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Praise: usefulness
- VideoHelp reviewers repeatedly describe MediaInfo as free, useful, easy to use and able to support many formats.Read 14 Oct 2026 · videohelp.com
- Preview limitation
- MediaInfoOnline is described as a technology preview.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Privacy behavior
- When update checking is enabled, the program can send anonymous usage statistics such as operating system, language, country and usage frequency; the check can be disabled.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Rating on Apple App Store
- 4.3 out of 5 from 77 ratings.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Rating on Free-Codecs
- 4.36 out of 5 from 14 reviews.Read 14 Oct 2026 · free-codecs.com
- Rating on Google Play
- 4.3 out of 5 from about 1.73 thousand reviews.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- SDK extensibility
- The SDK documents buffer input, stream duplication and stream filtering as beta capabilities that may change without notice.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Security update
- Release 26.10, dated 2026-10-06, records an audit of MediaInfoLib source code by security researchers and private individuals.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Self-hosting
- Source packages and build instructions allow organizations to compile the GUI, CLI and library themselves.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Shell integration
- The desktop interface supports drag-and-drop and operating-system context-menu integration.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Support lifecycle
- Free support applies only to the newest release, while fixes or backports for older versions can require a quotation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- System requirement
- The Mac App Store build requires macOS 10.10 or later and is a 13.7 MB utility.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Unsupported formats
- The FAQ says implementing a format that is not supported may require paid development work.Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
- Views and exports
- Information can be viewed as text, sheet, tree, or HTML and exported as text, CSV, or HTML.Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
Plans and prices
Free MediaInfo Free GUI, CLI and library editions · desktop and mobile downloads · source available Read 14 Oct 2026 · mediaarea.net
MediaInfo Free Free software; BSD-style license Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
macOS app $0.99, paid once one-time Mac App Store price macOS app · core features included Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
More features (yearly) $2.99 a year yearly additional preferences · multi-file comparison Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
More features (lifetime) $7.99, paid once one-time in-app purchase additional preferences · multi-file comparison Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Professional services Priced on request Services priced separately; contact MediaArea Development and consulting · Support with guaranty of service · Non-regression tests Read 30 Sep 2026 · mediaarea.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Reads video, audio, text, and chapter information.
- Provides text, sheet, tree, and HTML views.
- Exports results as text, CSV, or HTML.
- Available as a GUI, command-line tool, and library.
- Open-source software listed at free.
Limits
- MediaInfoOnline is described as a technology preview.
- Paid services have no listed price.
- The browser option is a separate online preview.
Who it suits
MediaInfo suits people who need to inspect technical or tag details in audio and video files, including developers who want a command-line tool or library. The browser preview offers another option for viewing file information.
MediaInfo in depth
Read the full write-up
MediaInfo inspects technical and tag metadata in audio and video files, and suits anyone who needs to identify a file’s streams or prepare a report. Its breadth of formats, views and interfaces is compelling at no cost; it is not a tool for real-time analysis.
Overview
MediaInfo reports details about a media file’s container, video and audio streams, text tracks and chapters. That makes it useful for checking what a file actually contains, whether you are assessing a single clip or incorporating metadata inspection into a wider workflow.
The software is open source under a BSD-style license. MediaArea, the maker, describes itself as an open-source company focused on digital media analysis; it is based in Pignan, France, and MediaInfo dates to 2007.
Key features
Metadata across media formats
MediaInfo reads formats including MPEG-4, Matroska, AVI, MXF, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, MP3, AAC, FLAC, SRT and ASS. The mix covers containers, codecs and subtitle formats, while the reported categories span container, video, audio, text and chapter information. It is a practical fit for checking file composition and tags, rather than relying on a filename or a single summary.
Views, exports and interfaces
Reports can be viewed as text, sheet, tree or HTML and exported as text, CSV or HTML. The range supports both direct inspection and passing results into another workflow. A graphical interface suits individual file checks; command-line and library versions suit users who need different ways to work with the same metadata. Drag-and-drop and context-menu integration can bring checks into the operating system shell.
MediaInfo supports offline file analysis, but not real-time analysis. MediaInfoOnline offers a browser-based option and says files remain on the user’s machine rather than being uploaded to MediaArea’s servers. It is a technology preview, so readers who need a browser workflow should weigh that caveat.
Pricing
MediaInfo is free software: the MediaInfo plan costs nothing and uses a BSD-style license. There is no free trial to weigh against a paid tier; the software itself is free, which makes it suitable for individual users and teams that need metadata inspection without a software subscription.
Professional services have custom pricing and are billed separately. MediaArea offers development and consulting, support with a guarantee of service, and non-regression tests. These services are for organizations seeking integration, maintenance or tailored support, not a higher-capacity software plan.
Platforms
MediaInfo is available for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, as well as through self-hosted and web options. The download page includes releases for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and multiple Linux distributions, plus a JavaScript module and source builds. The command-line and library versions add workflow choices beyond the graphical application.
Who it's for
MediaInfo is a strong fit for anyone who needs to inspect media metadata across varied file types, export a report, or use the tool through a graphical interface, command line or library. Its free, open-source license also suits users who want to build on or integrate the software. It is less suitable for audio work that depends on live measurement: MediaInfo analyzes files offline and does not provide real-time analysis.
Pros and cons
Pros: Broad format support and reporting across container, video, audio, text and chapter data make it useful for varied media files.
Pros: Four viewing formats and three export formats provide options for reading reports and sharing results.
Pros: Graphical, command-line and library versions, with shell integration, can fit both direct checks and other workflows.
Pros: The software is free and open source under a BSD-style license, and supports offline file analysis.
Cons: No real-time analysis; users who need live audio measurement should choose a different kind of tool.
Cons: MediaInfoOnline is a technology preview, making it a less settled choice for a browser-dependent workflow.
Alternatives
For a broader directory of tools in this area, browse Audio Analysis Software.
Open Audio Analyzer is another free option with a free plan and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.
Open Sound Meter may suit readers seeking a freemium alternative; its maker describes the desktop version as open source and invites GitHub contributions.
ACRCloud is worth considering for API access: its 14-day free trial includes full API access and requires no credit card.
Room EQ Wizard is a better fit for room or audio measurement, with a free plan that includes single-channel capture, a real-time analyzer and EQ tools.
Dusk Audio Spectrum Analyzer is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.
MeldaProduction MAnalyzer offers a free effect for macOS and Windows; its bundle’s professional upgrade adds sonogram access in analyzers, plugin resizing and styling, and preset management.
FUSER may suit users seeking a paid audio plugin: it costs £59, paid once and supports compatible 64-bit AU, VST 3 or AAX hosts on macOS and Windows.
Klangfreund Multimeter is a paid option at $59, paid once, with demo measurements and adjustments limited to periods shorter than one minute.
Verdict
Choose MediaInfo if you need a free, open-source way to inspect and export metadata across a wide range of media formats, with several interfaces to suit your workflow. Look elsewhere if live analysis is essential, or if a browser-based workflow must be more than a technology preview.
Verdict
MediaInfo offers several ways to inspect and export media metadata, with support for many listed formats. Those seeking a browser option should note that MediaInfoOnline is a technology preview.
Where Specifiction places it
- Audio Analysis Software#1 of 439.2
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