Video File Audit

Analyze video files to understand their technical properties, identify quality issues, and recommend appropriate next steps (remux, reencode, or leave unchanged).

Prerequisites

Requires mediainfo CLI tool. Install via:

• macOS: brew install mediainfo
• Linux: apt install mediainfo or equivalent
• Windows: Download from mediaarea.net

Audit Workflow

Step 1: Gather File Metadata

Run MediaInfo to get comprehensive file information:

mediainfo --Full "/path/to/video.mkv"

For quick summary:

mediainfo "/path/to/video.mkv"

Step 2: Identify Container vs Codec

Extract and report separately:

Container format (file extension): mkv, mp4, webm, avi, mov, m2ts

• Containers store and package video/audio streams
• Changing container = remuxing (fast, lossless)

Video codec (actual encoding): H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), VP9, AV1, ProRes

• Codecs compress and encode the actual video data
• Changing codec = reencoding (slow, quality loss)

Key MediaInfo fields:

• Format under "General" section = container
• Format under "Video" section = codec

Step 3: Check Color Space Parameters

Examine these fields in MediaInfo's Video section:

Parameter	Expected Value	Problem Indicator
Color primaries	BT.709	BT.601 on HD content
Matrix coefficients	BT.709	BT.601 on HD content
Transfer characteristics	BT.709	Mismatched values
Color range	Limited	"Full" on broadcast content
Chroma subsampling	4:2:0	Unusual values

Red flags:

• HD video (720p+) tagged as BT.601 instead of BT.709
• Mismatched matrix/primaries/transfer values
• "Full" range on content that should be "Limited"

For detailed color space information, consult ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/color-space.md.

Step 4: Identify Quality Red Flags

Check MediaInfo for these warning signs:

Encoding quality indicators:

• Encoded_Library: Look for x264/x265 (good) vs NVENC/QuickSync (lower quality for archival)
• Writing application: Identify source (ffmpeg, Handbrake, etc.)
• Bit rate mode: VBR preferred over CBR for quality

Suspicious characteristics:

• Resolution not matching source (e.g., 4K from 1080p source = upscaled)
• Frame rate interpolated (e.g., 60fps from 24fps source)
• Very high or very low bitrate for resolution
• 10-bit encoding of 8-bit source content (acceptable, often more efficient)

Content red flags:

• HDR metadata on content never released in HDR (fake HDR)
• Dolby Vision on SDR-only content
• Unusual aspect ratios suggesting cropping or stretching

Step 5: Provide Recommendations

Based on findings, recommend one of:

Leave unchanged when:

• Container and codec match intended use
• Color space parameters are correct
• No quality red flags detected
• File works with target application/device

Remux only when:

• Need different container (e.g., mkv→mp4 for compatibility)
• Container change doesn't require reencoding
• Color space just needs retagging (not conversion)

Reencode required when:

• Codec incompatible with target device
• Source has fixable quality issues (wrong matrix applied, not just mistagged)
• File size reduction needed (with quality tradeoff warning)

Avoid/warn when:

• Video already heavily compressed (reencoding will compound quality loss)
• User wants to upscale resolution (quality loss, not gain)
• User wants to interpolate frame rate (quality loss)

Quick Reference: Container vs Codec

If user says...	They probably mean...	Actual operation
"Convert mkv to mp4"	Change container	Remux (fast, lossless)
"Compress this video"	Reduce file size	Reencode (slow, quality loss)
"Make it H.265"	Change codec	Reencode (slow, quality loss)
"Fix the colors"	Depends on issue	Retag (fast) or reencode (slow)

Additional Resources

Reference Files

For detailed technical information, consult:

• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/quality-myths.md - Why resolution/bitrate don't equal quality
• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/color-space.md - Color matrices, range, chroma location
• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/tools.md - Recommended and discouraged tools
• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/encoding-commands.md - ffmpeg/mpv command templates