MediaInfo

MediaInfo is a lightweight, open-source utility for Windows designed to provide detailed information about media files.

Whether you are a video editor, content creator, or a casual user looking to understand the properties of a media file, MediaInfo offers in-depth technical and tag information about audio and video files.

Developed by MediaArea, this tool is known for its simplicity, accuracy, and wide format support.

Available across multiple platforms, the Windows version is particularly popular due to its speed and easy integration with the operating system.

Main Features

Detailed Technical Info: Displays codec, bitrate, frame rate, aspect ratio, channel layout, and more.

Tag Extraction: Shows metadata like title, author, album, track number, and subtitles.

Wide Format Support: Supports popular and niche formats including MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MP3, FLAC, and more.

Multiple View Modes: Offers text, tree, HTML, XML, and JSON output views.

Export Options: Enables export of reports in various formats for documentation or analysis.

Command Line Interface: Ideal for automation and scripting.

Localization: Available in over 40 languages.

Integration Capabilities: Can integrate with Windows Explorer and third-party media players/editors.

User Interface

It has a clean, no-frills interface. The main window allows users to open files or folders and choose between different viewing modes such as Basic, Tree, or HTML.

The tab-based navigation and right-click context menu make it intuitive, even for first-time users. Although not visually modern, it prioritizes function over form and performs excellently in that regard.

Installation and Setup

Installing MediaInfo is straightforward. The installer is lightweight (around 5 MB) and supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Users can choose between a GUI version, CLI version, or a DLL for integration.

During setup, you can enable shell integration for right-click file analysis. There’s no bloatware or hidden installations.

How to Use

Open a media file by clicking the folder icon or dragging and dropping the file.

Switch view modes to explore different layers of information.

Export the report using the File > Export function or copy to clipboard.

Use shell integration by right-clicking a media file in Windows Explorer and selecting "MediaInfo."

FAQs

Can MediaInfo analyze video streams inside ISO or DVD folders?
Yes, it supports DVD video structures and ISO files.

Does MediaInfo work offline?
Yes, all analysis is done locally and does not require an internet connection.

Can I analyze multiple files at once?
Yes, batch analysis is supported via the GUI or CLI version.

Is MediaInfo safe to use?
Yes, it is open-source and regularly maintained with no known adware or spyware.

Can it extract subtitle or audio language information?
Yes, it detects all streams including language, subtitle formats, and codec details.

Alternatives

VLC Media Player: Includes basic media info but not as detailed.

FFmpeg: Command-line based, powerful but less user-friendly.

Pricing

MediaInfo is free and open-source under the BSD license. Donations are encouraged to support development, but no paid version or restrictions exist.

System Requirements

OS: Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7

RAM: 512 MB minimum

Disk Space: ~10 MB

CPU: Any modern processor

PROS

• Comprehensive format and metadata support
• Free and open-source
• Multiple output views
• Lightweight and fast
• Shell integration

CONS

• Interface is dated
• No editing or tagging capabilities
• Lacks modern UI theming

Conclusion

MediaInfo is an essential tool for anyone who works with or manages media files. Its ability to deliver deep insight into video and audio properties, paired with its small footprint and ease of use, makes it a go-to utility for professionals and hobbyists alike.

Also Available: Download MediaInfo for Mac