MediaInfo

Overview

MediaInfo examines technical and tag metadata in audio and video files, making it a practical choice for anyone who needs to check what a file contains. Its strongest case is breadth: several ways to inspect and export reports, with graphical, command-line, and library versions for different workflows.

It is a metadata inspector, not a real-time analysis tool. Choose it to identify a file’s streams and properties; look elsewhere for live audio measurement.

Key features

Metadata across common media formats

MediaInfo reports container, video, audio, text, and chapter information. It reads formats including MPEG-4, Matroska, AVI, MXF, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, MP3, AAC, FLAC, SRT, and ASS. That range makes it useful for checking a file’s composition and tags, rather than relying on its filename or a single summary.

Views and workflows

Reports can be viewed as text, sheet, tree, or HTML, then exported as text, CSV, or HTML. The choice is useful when a quick readable report is enough as well as when results need to be passed into another workflow. A graphical interface suits direct inspection; command-line and library versions offer other ways to work with the software. Drag-and-drop and context-menu integration can also fit file checks into the operating system’s shell.

MediaInfo can analyze files offline, but it does not offer real-time analysis. MediaInfoOnline provides a browser option and says files stay on the user’s machine rather than being uploaded to MediaArea’s servers. It is described as a technology preview, so it is better treated as an option to explore than as a finished service.

Open-source project and support

MediaInfo is open-source software under a BSD-style license. MediaArea describes itself as an open-source company focused on digital media analysis; the project dates to 2007 and is based in Pignan, France. Users can turn to FAQs, bug reports, feature requests, issue trackers, and a forum. Developers can use the SDK and source build instructions. MediaArea also offers paid integration, maintenance, custom development, and customized support. It says it collects minimal personal data, does not use it to track users, and does not sell it to other companies.

Pricing

The MediaInfo software costs nothing, with free software under a BSD-style license. There is no paid software tier or free trial to weigh against that offer. The free option is a strong fit for individuals and teams that need metadata inspection without a software charge.

Professional services have custom pricing and are billed separately. They cover development and consulting, support with a guarantee of service, and non-regression tests. This is the route for organizations that need paid integration or tailored assistance; it is not a required upgrade for using the free software.

Platforms

MediaInfo lists support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web, and Windows. Downloads include releases for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and multiple Linux distributions, along with a JavaScript module and source builds. The browser-based MediaInfoOnline preview is distinct from the downloadable software and carries its technology-preview caveat.

Who it's for

MediaInfo suits people who need to inspect or share technical details about audio and video files: media handlers checking streams, developers integrating analysis, and anyone trying to understand a file’s contents. Its multiple report views and export formats serve both quick checks and more structured workflows. It is not the right pick when the main need is live signal analysis.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad metadata coverage across container, video, audio, text, and chapter data helps reveal more than a basic file summary.
• Pros: Text, sheet, tree, and HTML views, plus text, CSV, and HTML exports, give readers practical ways to inspect or reuse results.
• Pros: Free, open-source software with graphical, command-line, and library versions supports a range of users and workflows.
• Cons: No real-time analysis means it cannot replace a live analyzer.
• Cons: MediaInfoOnline is a technology preview, making the browser option less suitable as a dependable finished service.

Alternatives

For audio-focused choices, Audio Analysis Software is the broader category to browse. Among individual options, Open Audio Analyzer is another free choice with Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows support. Open Sound Meter may fit readers who want a free desktop version described by its maker as open source, or its freemium model across iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Room EQ Wizard is the better match for room and audio measurement, real-time analysis, and EQ tools; its free plan includes single-channel capture, with a separate Pro upgrade at custom pricing. Youlean Loudness Meter suits readers who need loudness readouts and film, TV, and gaming presets; its free plan never expires and supports mono, stereo, and 5.1 channels, but has no command-line tool.

Voxengo SPAN is a free real-time FFT spectrum analyzer plugin for macOS and Windows. Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst is another free option for macOS and Windows. For API recognition, ACRCloud offers a 14-day free trial with full API access and no credit card required, rather than a free plan. Stoplight Elements is an open-source option for building API documentation blocks, not a media metadata inspector.

Verdict

Choose MediaInfo if you need a free, open-source way to inspect and export technical metadata from audio and video files, especially across a mix of file types or workflows. Its breadth and interface choices are the reason to pick it; its lack of real-time analysis is the reason to look elsewhere when live measurement is the goal.