media sdk media file formats

About media file formats

Security Center exports archived media as G64x or G64. Convert an exported file to MPEG-4 Part 14 (MP4) or Advanced Systems Format (ASF) when a downstream system needs another media format. The format determines how many cameras and time ranges the output represents, which metadata MediaFile returns, and which playback tools can consume the output.

Use Security Center Media SDK types to inspect and process G64 and G64x files. Do not parse their container data directly.

Understand MP4 and ASF

MP4 (.mp4) is a media container used by video players and processing systems. Security Center creates MP4 by converting a completed G64 or G64x export. The result is a media file for sharing or processing, not a Security Center export package.

ASF (.asf) is a Microsoft media container used by Windows Media technologies. Security Center creates ASF by converting a completed G64 or G64x export with a selected Windows Media profile. Use ASF when the receiving system specifically requires it.

MP4 and ASF are container formats. A container packages video, audio, and metadata, but it does not identify the video codec by itself.

Choose a format

MediaExporter uses G64x by default. Keep G64x when the recipient needs the Security Center export package. Use G64 only when a downstream system requires the legacy format. Convert a completed export to MP4 or ASF when the recipient requires one of those formats.

Export formats

G64x and G64 are the formats that MediaExporter creates directly from Security Center recordings.

Characteristic	G64x	G64
Created directly by MediaExporter	Yes. This is the default format.	Yes. Select MediaExportFileFormat.G64.
Cameras and time ranges	Supports multiple cameras and multiple ranges.	Supports one camera and one range.
Maximum range accepted by MediaExporter	Each range can be up to 4 days.	The range can be up to 1 day.
Structure returned by MediaFile	One or more UniqueSources and ContainedFiles.	One UniqueSource and one ContainedFile.
Source names returned by MediaFile	Returns the names stored in the package.	CollectionName and EncoderName are empty.
Watermark status returned by MediaFile	Returns the stored status for each contained file.	Returns the stored status.
Password-protected output	Supported through G64xPasswordProtectionConverter.	Not available as G64 output.

Converted formats

MP4 and ASF are created from a completed G64 or G64x file. They are not direct MediaExporter output formats.

Characteristic	MP4	ASF
Created by	G64ToMp4Converter.	G64ToAsfConverter.
Use when	The recipient needs an MP4 file for a general-purpose video tool or processing library.	The recipient specifically requires ASF.
Output structure	Each MP4 file represents one source. A conversion can create more than one file.	Each ASF file represents one source. A conversion can create more than one file.
Metadata available through MediaFile	Returns one UniqueSource and one ContainedFile. Source names are empty, and IsWatermarked is false.	MediaFile does not expose ASF metadata.
Display information	Includes MP4 display tags written by the converter.	Can include a camera name and date/time burned into the video pixels.
Password-protected output	Not available.	Not available.

Create the output

Create G64x or G64 output directly from Security Center recordings with MediaExporter. Call SetExportFileFormat after Initialize. If you do not select a format, the exporter creates G64x output.

Create MP4 output from a completed G64 or G64x file with G64ToMp4Converter.

Create ASF output from a completed G64 or G64x file with G64ToAsfConverter. Select an encoding profile from GetAsfProfiles(). The converter can include audio and burn the camera name or recording date/time into the video.

MP4 and ASF conversions can create multiple media files when the input contains multiple cameras or when media characteristics change. In that case, the converter also creates an .asx playlist and reports all output paths in ConversionFinishedEventArgs.Filenames.

MP4 and ASF outputs are converted media files, not G64x export packages. Keep the G64x output when the recipient needs password protection, all package streams, re-export behavior, or Security Center-specific playback behavior.

Inspect Security Center metadata

Construct MediaFile with the path to a G64, G64x, or MP4 file. Read UniqueSources for source and stream identifiers. Read ContainedFiles for file names, recording times, time zones, source associations, and watermark status. This local inspection does not require an Engine or a connection to Security Center.

For MP4 files created by G64ToMp4Converter, MediaFile returns the retained source identifier, encoder identifier, origin, media type, usage, recording times, and time zone. It does not return the source names, standard MP4 display tags, or MP4 metadata streams. IsWatermarked is false for MP4 files.

MediaFile does not expose ASF metadata. Use the converter result to identify the produced ASF files.

Important

For an MP4 file that was not created by G64ToMp4Converter, do not treat Collection or Encoder as Security Center entity identifiers. MediaFile can return generated values for these members.

Read MP4 display metadata

G64ToMp4Converter writes display metadata that Windows and MP4 metadata readers can expose. Property labels vary by operating system and metadata reader.

MP4 metadata value	Content written by the converter
Album	Encoder name.
Artist	Recording date, converted to the recording time zone.
Comment	Recording time zone.
Content created	Conversion year.
Encoding tool	Camera collection identifier.
Genre	Stream usage, such as Archiving.
Title or name	Camera name and recording start time, converted to the recording time zone.
Writer or composer	Genetec.

Use an MP4 metadata reader to retrieve these display values. MediaFile does not return them. Do not use the display values as a replacement for the identifiers and recording details returned by MediaFile.

Understand ASF display information

G64ToAsfConverter can burn the camera name and recording date/time into the video. Set writeCameraName or displayDateTime during initialization to include those values. The converter writes them into the video pixels, not as separate metadata fields. An application cannot retrieve or hide them as independent metadata after conversion.

Play the output

Use MediaPlayer.OpenFile followed by PlayFile for local G64 and G64x playback. This path does not require an Engine. Use an MP4-capable player or processing library for MP4 output. Use an ASF-capable player or processing library for ASF output.

MediaFile inspects file metadata and structure. It does not decode or display the video.

See also

• About MediaExporter: Export G64 and G64x files from Security Center recordings.
• About G64 converters: Convert G64 and G64x files to MP4 or ASF, or create password-protected G64x output.
• About MediaFile: Inspect the metadata returned for G64, G64x, and MP4 files.
• About MediaPlayer: Play live, archived, G64, or G64x media.