Repository navigation
FEATURE REQUEST: Add an interface for embedding tags in MKV files #1008
Description
We'd love to have an interface (somewhere in the config tag) that allows users to embed metadata into specific MKV tags.
Eventually it'd be great to have acces to the entire NMAAHC Standard Tag Set. However, for now just these tags would be incredibly helpful:
- ENCODER_SETTINGS
- ENCODED_BY
- _PRE_TRANSFER_NOTES
- _TRANSFER_NOTES
Additionally, the DATE_DIGITIZED tag should have a toggle that allows it to be automatically updated with the current date, and the DATE_TAGGED tag should automatically be updated with the current date if tagging occurs.
paging @BleakleyMcD to see if he has anything to add
Activity
dericed commentedon Aug 27, 2026
what should ENCODER_SETTINGS and ENCODED_BY be set to?
BleakleyMcD commentedon Aug 27, 2026
@BleakleyMcD thinks that is a great idea!
iamdamosuzuki commentedon Aug 27, 2026
We're using the ENCODER_SETTINGS convention that NMAAHC uses, which @BleakleyMcD came up with. This is a string that contains the playback VTR, TBC, ADC, Computer and Software settings. Since vrecord can't know that stuff, this should be a freetext field that the user can enter manually. ENCODED_BY can also be a free text field
dmarcuswalker commentedon Sep 29, 2026
Also looking forward to this feature! Below is a reference to share for how we document coding history by attaching a TXT file in the MKV; we are planning to start using the ENCODER_SETTINGS embedded field.
Coding History
Playback Deck: Panasonic AG-1980P; SN: G0TC00339
Audio: Sonifex RB-UL4; SN: 086243
Digital Processing Synchronizer: Leitch DPS-575; SN: 10115; Firmware: 1.51
Video Capture Card: Blackmagic Design UltraStudio 4K Mini; SN: 9836238
I should note that the computer and software settings are not included, largely because this is already captured for us in the _capture_options.log (but maybe we should start including that as well?) Also, I'm thinking now that we should start indicating what source video signal type was captured (e.g., composite, Y/C, component, SDI)