Understanding Metadata Definition: An Overview Guide

Edit Metadata
1.1 What Is Metadata
1.2 Best Metadata Viewer
1.3 Remove Metadata from Video Audio
1.4 Video Metadata Editor
1.5 Change Video Thumbnail
1.6 Edit MP3 Album Art
1.7 MP4 Tag Editor for Windows
1.8 Mp3Tag Review
1.9 AVI Tag Editor
1.10 File Date Changers
1.11 Change MKV Metadata

Understanding Metadata Definition: An Overview Guide

What is Metadata? You may be familiar with this term or have heard it before. Have you ever thought about what exactly this means? Why is this data needed? To give you a brief background, Metadata is often described as data about data. Simply put, Metadata is particularly important in a file, document, or web page. Another way to explain Metadata is a summary of what the data is.

We can define Metadata in various ways, which we will further explain in this article. Apart from that, we will also present some of the programs you can use to manage the Metadata information of your files, so if you want to learn more about Metadata and how it works. Therefore, we will walk you through this guide.

Metadata Definition

Part 1. What is Metadata?

What is Metadata and its Types

A set of data called Metadata is used to define other data. Metadata contextualizes other data by giving information like the date and how it was collected, making it simpler to find, access, manage, etc. In other words, obscure data comes with every audio, photo, video, or file. It helps you organize and manage data sets.

There are three main types of metadata: administrative, descriptive, and structural.

Administrative Metadata

With Administrative Metadata, users can find out what kind of instructions, policies, and restrictions have been set on a file. Administrators can restrict file access depending on user qualifications with the help of this kind of data. Administrative Metadata is complete, providing details on specific data from beginning to end. Users now have the opportunity to manage a range of data files.

A simple version of a piece of data is similar to Administrative Metadata. Regardless of how complicated a given data collection may be, its Metadata will be far more comprehensive. Hence, controlling these complicated parts and reducing them for clarity is what Administrative Metadata is all about.

Descriptive Metadata

In its simplest form, Descriptive Metadata is an identifier of certain data. Often, it refers to things like titles, dates, and keywords. For instance, when a user downloads a video file, Descriptive Metadata would include the movie's runtime.

Since that descriptive information is readily available, visible, and pertinent in common file formats, it is frequently used and cited metadata.

It offers basic details about things, such as book titles, authors, dates, and other information, and is one of the simpler sorts of Metadata to comprehend. Descriptive information grows more refined or complicated when utilized to identify distinctive aspects, such as code-driven projects and websites.

Structural Metadata

Structured Metadata provides details about a particular object or resource. It frequently refers to digital media. For instance, a DVD movie contains several different portions. Each segment has a certain running duration for the film, and they all slot together into the structure in a particular order.

In other words, structural Metadata keeps track of information about possible sorting options for a given item or resource. With structural Metadata, users would be made aware of the proper location of these parts on the DVD, as mentioned earlier.

What is an Example of Metadata?

Here are some of the Metadata; check the example given below.

Audio

Audio Metadata Example

Audio is encoded with data that defines the content and representation of the audio entities.

  • 1. Contributing artist
  • 2. Frequency
  • 3. Channels
  • 4. Subtitles
  • 5. Bitrate, etc.

Pictures

Picture Metadata Example

Every photograph we take includes digital Metadata and saves with it.

  • 1. Dimensions
  • 2. Location
  • 3. Name
  • 4. Size
  • 5. Title, etc.

Videos

Videos Metadata Example

Every time we record videos on our camcorders and digital cameras, the Metadata is attached to the exported video file.

  • 1. Contributing artists
  • 2. Audio channels
  • 3. Frame rate
  • 4. Resolution
  • 5. Subtitle, etc.

Blog Post

Blog Metadata Example

Any blog post has Metadata fields you can often see before the first paragraph.

  • 1. Time/Date of publish
  • 2. Category
  • 3. Author
  • 4. Title
  • 5. Tags, etc.

Books

Book Metadata Example

Each book contains various Metadata on its cover and content.

  • 1. Publisher and copyright details
  • 2. Description in the back
  • 3. Table of contents
  • 4. Page numbers
  • 5. Author name, etc.

Desktop Files

Desktop Metadata Example

All the information you see in every file from File Explorer is Metadata. The actual data is inside these files.

  • 1. Last modification date and time
  • 2. Creation date and time
  • 3. File name
  • 4. Type
  • 5. Size

Email

Email Metadata Example

Did you know that every email we send or receive consists of several Metadata? Most of these are hidden and invisible; you can find them in the message header.

  • 1. Sending and receiving server names and IPs
  • 2. The date and time sent
  • 3. Subject
  • 4. From
  • 5. To, etc.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet Metadata Example

Besides Word documents, Spreadsheets also contain some Metadata.

  • 1. Column names
  • 2. User comment
  • 3. Table names
  • 4. Tab names

Web Page

Web Metadata Example

Each web page has a various Metadata

  • 1. Page description
  • 2. Page title
  • 3. Icon, ETC.

Word Docs

Word Metadata Example

Without exception, each word processing program accumulates Metadata and allows you to add fields for every document you make.

  • 1. Last modification date and time
  • 2. Creation date and time
  • 3. Subject
  • 4. Author
  • 5. Title, etc.

Part 2. Metadata Vs. EXIF Data

Digital photographs are always stored with a variety of information that is integrated into the image itself. Now, we will define the difference between Metadata and EXIF data.

What is Metadata?

Digital information that describes the image itself is called Metadata and is kept with each image. It includes important features that explain the image and potential uses in terms that both people and technology can comprehend.

A RAW, JPEG, TIFF, or DNG file might contain Metadata inside or externally as data separate from the original picture.

Three types of Metadata:

  • 1. Extended Metadata that you can add later.
  • 2. The camera's internal software produces basic Metadata.
  • 3. During post-processing, Metadata is created and saved in a separate file.

What is EXIF Data?

Exchangeable Image File Format, or EXIF, refers to the actual Metadata your camera creates and saves each time you take a picture.

Your photographs have data that are incorporated in them, including details about:

  • 1. The brand and model of the lens you used to take the shot, along with the focal length.
  • 2. The manufacturer and model of the camera you used to take the picture.
  • 3. Exposure parameters for the shot (shutter speed, aperture, ISO).
  • 4. Flash settings (if you used a flash, what settings it had).
  • 5. The date and time you took the photo;
  • 6. The image's resolution./li>
  • 7. GPS location data.
  • 8. White balance.
  • 9. Metering.

Part 3. Metadata Editor Tools

  • Software
  • AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate
  • VLC
  • iTunes
  • Audacity
  • OpenShot
  • Windows Properties
  • ExifTool
  • abcAVI
  • MetaDoctor
  • Jaikoz

Editable Info

Platform

Price

Supported formats

Metadata Editor For

Best for

Advantage

Disadvantage

File name, title, artist, album, compressor, genre, year, track, comments, and photo thumbnail Windows, Mac Starts at $29.96 with a free trial MP4, AVI, M4A, WAV, M4R, WMV, M4B, ASF, M4P, MP3, 3G2, MOV, M4V, etc. Video, audio, and thumbnail photo Beginner, Intermediate, and Professional Aside from being a Metadata Editor, it also functions as a video/audio solution. It requires a download before utilizing it.
Title, artist, album, date, genre, etc. Windows, Mac, Linux FREE MPEG, AVI, MP4, WMV, WMA, etc. Video, audio Intermediate It is compatible with nearly all platforms Limited editable info
Artist, album, artist, composer, grouping, etc. Windows, Mac (Old version) FREE MP3, WAV, M4V, AIFF, AAC, etc. Video, audio Intermediate, Professional It free to download on Windows and pre-built on macOS (Older versions) It does not support a newer version of the Mac
Artist, track title, track number, album, year, etc. Windows, Mac FREE MP3, WAV, AIFF, AU, OGG, etc. Audio Professional It is a free, open-source, and a multi-platform program Too complicated interface
File name, folder path, profile, target, video profile, etc. Windows, Mac, Linux FREE WebM, AVCHD, HEVC, MP3, AAC, etc. Video, audio Professional It has an intuitive interface It lacks advanced features
Image ID, dimensions, width, height, horizontal resolution, etc. Windows FREE MP4, TIFF, VOB, MPEG, MP3. etc. Video, audio Beginner, Intermediate It is pre-built in all versions of Windows It doesn't support other OS
File name, directory, size, modified date/time, access date/time, etc. Windows, Mac, Unix FREE EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP, JFIF, etc. Photo Professional It can modify video Metadata using codes It only works for coding
Title, director, copyright, product, genre, etc. Windows FREE AVI only Video Intermediate It supports multi-tags It only supports single format
Title, actors, directors, artist, copyright, etc. Mac Starts at $9.99 MP4, M4V, and MOV only Video Professional It is a professional Metadata editor for Mac It's challenging to handle for first time user
Title, artist, album, track number, genre, etc. Windows, Mac, Linux Starts at $49 (Full-featured) MP4, MP3, M4P, FLAC, WMA, and OggVorbis only Video, audio Professional It has auto-tagging functionality It's interface is confusing

Part 4. How to Edit Metadata Info for Video and Audio

This section will show you how to edit Metadata Info for videos and audio files using AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate.

AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a rich-featured program that offers many functions and features, including the Media Metadata Editor tool. Without any prior knowledge of handling the program, you can easily edit Metadata info as it is straightforward and has a neat interface. Below are the guides on how to perform the Metadata info editing.

1. On your computer, download the AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. You can click the Free download button below to possess the program. Complete the installation process and launch it afterward.

Free Download For Windows

Secure Download

Free Download For macOS

Secure Download

2. Next, choose Toolbox from the top menu and select the Media Metadata Editor tool.

Metadata AnyMP4 Toolbox

3. After selecting it, a new dialogue will be displayed on your screen. In that case, click the + sign icon to import the video you want to edit Metadata info.

Metadata AnyMP4 Plus

4. Following, determine which data you wish to edit, click each field, and input the desired information. After successfully updating the fields, click the Save button to finish.

Metadata AnyMP4 Save

The process of editing the Metadata info of the audio file is similar to the above guide. You can also change the file name, title, artist, album, composer, etc.

Part 5. FAQs about Metadata

1. What is an ID3 tag?

ID3 tag is an example of a Metadata container that stores data in a media file. The ID3 tags may contain the following:
• The genre.
• The cover art.
• The album title.
• The artist's name.
• The recording year.
• Other information.
To edit the audio ID3 tag, you will need the music ID3 tag editor.

2. In what ways are Metadata and data different?

Metadata specifies information about the original data, which assists in identifying the type and features of that data. In contrast, data might be a piece of information, a collection of measurements or observations, a story, or a description of a given thing.

3. Is sharing Metadata information safe?

Metadata is a potent idea and usually harmless, yet some contexts may contain sensitive information and confidentiality. Therefore, you should choose the person you share your Metadata information with.

Conclusion

What is Metadata used for? Most Metadata types aid us in making sense of our files and data by providing valuable information. However, it may cause your identity to be at risk once shared with strangers. Yet you don't have to worry; you can modify your Metadata information before sharing it. You can refer to the provided steps above.

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