Using mp4parser to Handle Videos from URI and ContentResolver
Understanding mp4parser
mp4parser is a Java library that allows you to parse, modify, and create MP4 files. It’s a powerful tool for working with video and audio files. This article focuses on how to handle videos retrieved from URIs and ContentResolver using mp4parser.
Retrieving Video Data
URI
URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) are a standard way to represent resources like files and web pages. To access videos via URIs, you can use:
- **File URI:** For local files (e.g., `file:///storage/emulated/0/Movies/myvideo.mp4`).
- **Content URI:** Used for accessing media files from the device’s content provider (e.g., `content://media/external/video/media/123`).
- **HTTP URI:** For fetching videos from the internet (e.g., `https://example.com/video.mp4`).
ContentResolver
ContentResolver is a system component used to access data managed by content providers. You can use it to retrieve media information like video files.
Processing Video Files with mp4parser
Once you have a URI or ContentResolver reference pointing to your video, you can use mp4parser to access and manipulate its contents:
1. Creating an MP4 Parser
import com.coremedia.iso.IsoFile; IsoFile isoFile = new IsoFile(uri);
2. Accessing Video Information
import com.googlecode.mp4parser.boxes.apple.MovieHeaderBox; MovieHeaderBox movieHeader = isoFile.getMovieHeaderBox(); System.out.println("Movie Title: " + movieHeader.getMovieName()); System.out.println("Duration: " + movieHeader.getDuration());
Movie Title: My Video Duration: 120.0
3. Extracting Audio and Video Tracks
import com.googlecode.mp4parser.boxes.iso.ISOBiasesBox; import com.googlecode.mp4parser.boxes.iso.ISOPreferencesBox; import com.googlecode.mp4parser.boxes.iso.ISOTrackBox; import java.util.List; Listtracks = isoFile.getTracks(); for (ISOTrackBox track : tracks) { if (track.getHandler().equals("vide")) { System.out.println("Found Video Track"); // Access video metadata } else if (track.getHandler().equals("soun")) { System.out.println("Found Audio Track"); // Access audio metadata } }
4. Modifying Video Metadata
// Set a new title movieHeader.setMovieName("My Updated Video"); // Save changes isoFile.write(new FileOutputStream("output.mp4"));
Comparing URI and ContentResolver
Here’s a table highlighting key differences:
Feature | URI | ContentResolver |
---|---|---|
Access Method | Directly via string representation | Through a system service |
Data Source | Local files, internet, etc. | Content providers managed by the device |
Flexibility | Wide range of resources | Limited to data exposed by content providers |
Permissions | May require file access permissions | Requires read permissions for specific content providers |
Conclusion
By using mp4parser, you can efficiently handle videos obtained from URIs and ContentResolver, accessing metadata, extracting tracks, and even modifying video properties. This enables you to build robust applications for video processing, analysis, and editing.