META

The META function in SQL provides a way to retrieve metadata information from multimedia data types, such as IMAGE, AUDIO, and VIDEO.

Function Syntax

The META function uses the following syntax:

META(col[, dirName[, tagName]])

Each parameter serves a distinct purpose:

  • col: This mandatory parameter specifies the column containing the multimedia data from which you want to retrieve metadata. The column must be of a multimedia data type (IMAGE, SOUND, or VIDEO).

  • dirName: This optional parameter narrows down the scope of the metadata retrieval to a specific directory within the multimedia file. If dirName is specified, the META function will only return tags that belong to this directory.

  • tagName: This optional parameter further refines the metadata retrieval by specifying a particular tag. If tagName is provided, the META function will only return the value of this specific tag.

The metadata information returned by the META function comprises metadata tags, which are grouped within directories.

Examples

Here are some examples of how the META function might be used in practice:

To retrieve all metadata from a multimedia column:

SELECT META(ImageColumn) FROM MultimediaTable;

To retrieve all metadata tags from a specific directory:

SELECT META(ImageColumn, 'Directory') FROM MultimediaTable;

To retrieve a specific metadata tag:

SELECT META(ImageColumn, 'Directory', 'Tag') FROM MultimediaTable;

Use Cases

The META function is particularly useful in various scenarios where it’s necessary to understand more about the characteristics of multimedia data. This may include:

  • Image Analysis: Extracting metadata like resolution, color depth, or creation date from image files.
  • Sound Processing: Retrieving information like sample rate, bit depth, or duration from sound files.
  • Video Processing: Understanding attributes like resolution, frame rate, or encoding format from video files.

Directories and Tags

The following table gives an overview on the directories and tags.

Directory Tag
Casio Makernote Print Image Matching (PIM) Info
Casio Preview Thumbnail
Record Mode
Self Timer
Thumbnail Dimensions
Quality
Thumbnail Size
Focus Mode
Thumbnail Offset
Time Zone
BestShot Mode
Quality Mode
Image Size
Focus Mode
White Balance Bias
White Balance
ISO Sensitivity
CCD ISO Sensitivity
Colour Mode
Enhancement
Filter
White Balance
Focal Length
Saturation
Contrast
Sharpness
Object Distance
Flash Distance
EPS DSC Version
Author
Bounding Box
Copyright
Creation Date
Creator
For
Image Data
Keywords
Modify Date
Pages
Routing
Subject
Title
Version
Document Data
Emulation
Extensions
Language Level
Orientation
Page Order
Operator Intervention
Operator Message
Proof Mode
Requirements
VM Location
VM Usage
Image Width
Image Height
Color Type
Ram Size
TIFF Preview Size
TIFF Preview Offset
WMF Preview Size
WMF Preview Offset
Line Continuation
GIF Control Delay
Disposal Method
User Input Flag
Transparent Color Flag
Transparent Color Index
MP4 Text Creation Time
Modification Time
Duration
ISO 639-2 Language Code
WebP Image Height
Image Width
Has Alpha
Is Animation
Sony Makernote Print Image Matching (PIM) Info
Multi Burst Mode
Shot Info
File Format
Multi Burst Image Width
Preview Image
Sony Model ID
Image Quality
Multi Burst Image Height
Rating
Panorama
Flash Exposure Compensation
Contrast
Teleconverter Model
Saturation
Sharpness
Brightness
Long Exposure Noise Reduction
High ISO Noise Reduction
HDR
Multi Frame Noise Reduction
Picture Effect
Soft Skin Effect
Camera Info
Vignetting Correction
White Balance Fine Tune Value
Lateral Chromatic Aberration
Distortion Correction
Camera Settings
WB Shift Amber/Magenta
White Balance
Extra Info
Auto Portrait Framing
Focus Mode
AF Point Selected
Focus Info
Color Mode Setting
Color Temperature
Color Compensation Filter
Scene Mode
Zone Matching
Dynamic Range Optimizer
Image Stabilisation
Lens ID
Minolta Makernote
Color Mode
Lens Spec
Full Image Size
Preview Image Size
Macro
Exposure Mode
Focus Mode
AF Mode
AF Illuminator
Quality
Flash Level
Release Mode
Sequence Number
Anti Blur
Long Exposure Noise Reduction
Dynamic Range Optimizer
High ISO Noise Reduction
Intelligent Auto
White Balance 2
No Print
Panasonic Makernote Print Image Matching (PIM) Info
Makernote Version
Quality Mode
Scene Mode
Version
White Balance
White Balance (Red)
White Balance (Green)
White Balance (Blue)
Focus Mode
Flash Fired
Text Stamp 2
Text Stamp 3
AF Area Mode
Baby Age 1
Transform 1
Image Stabilization
Macro Mode
Record Mode
Audio
Unknown Data Dump
Easy Mode
White Balance Bias
Flash Bias
Internal Serial Number
Exif Version
Color Effect
Camera Uptime
Burst Mode
Sequence Number
Contrast Mode
Noise Reduction
Self Timer
Rotation
AF Assist Lamp
Color Mode
Baby Age
Optical Zoom Mode
Conversion Lens
Travel Day
Contrast
World Time Location
Text Stamp
Program ISO
Advanced Scene Mode
Text Stamp 1
Number of Detected Faces
Saturation
Sharpness
Film Mode
Color Temp Kelvin
Bracket Settings
White Balance Adjust (AB)
White Balance Adjust (GM)
Flash Curtain
Long Exposure Noise Reduction
Panasonic Image Width
Panasonic Image Height
Af Point Position
Face Detection Info
Lens Type
Lens Serial Number
Accessory Type
Accessory Serial Number
Transform
Intelligent Exposure
Lens Firmware Version
Face Recognition Info
Flash Warning
Recognized Face Flags
Title
Baby Name
Location
Country
State
City
Landmark
Intelligent Resolution
Burst Speed
Intelligent D-Range
Clear Retouch
City 2
Photo Style
Shading Compensation
Accelerometer Z
Accelerometer X
Accelerometer Y
Camera Orientation
Roll Angle
Pitch Angle
Sweep Panorama Direction
Sweep Panorama Field Of View
Timer Recording
Internal ND Filter
HDR
Shutter Type
Clear Retouch Value
Touch AE
IPTC Enveloped Record Version
Application Record Version
Image Type
Object Type Reference
Image Orientation
Object Attribute Reference
Destination
Object Name
Edit Status
Language Identifier
Editorial Update
Urgency
Subject Reference
Category
File Format
Supplemental Category(s)
File Version
Fixture Identifier
Audio Type
Audio Sampling Rate
Audio Sampling Resolution
Keywords
Audio Duration
Content Location Code
Audio Outcue
Content Location Name
Service Identifier
Release Date
Release Time
Expiration Date
Expiration Time
Envelope Number
Special Instructions
Action Advised
Reference Service
Reference Date
Product Identifier
Reference Number
Date Created
Job Identifier
Master Document Identifier
Short Document Identifier
Unique Document Identifier
Envelope Priority
Time Created
Owner Identifier
Digital Date Created
Digital Time Created
Originating Program
Date Sent
Program Version
Object Data Preview File Format
Object Data Preview File Format Version
Object Data Preview Data
Object Cycle
Time Sent
By-line
By-line Title
Coded Character Set
City
Sub-location
Province/State
Unique Object Name
Country/Primary Location Code
Country/Primary Location Name
Original Transmission Reference
Headline
Credit
Source
Copyright Notice
Contact
ARM Identifier
Caption/Abstract
Local Caption
ARM Version
Caption Writer/Editor
Rasterized Caption
Nikon Makernote Print IM
Firmware Version
Nikon Capture Data
ISO
Color Mode
Unknown 51
Quality & File Format
White Balance
Unknown 52
Sharpening
AF Type
Flash Sync Mode
Unknown 53
Auto Flash Mode
Nikon Capture Version
White Balance Fine
White Balance RB Coefficients
Program Shift
Exposure Difference
Nikon Capture Offsets
ISO Mode
Data Dump
Nikon Scan
Preview IFD
Auto Flash Compensation
ISO
Image Boundary
Flash Exposure Compensation
Flash Bracket Compensation
AE Bracket Compensation
Unknown 54
Flash Mode
Crop High Speed
Exposure Tuning
Camera Serial Number
Color Space
VR Info
Image Authentication
Unknown 35
Active D-Lighting
NEF Bit Depth
Picture Control
Unknown 55
World Time
ISO Info
Unknown 36
Unknown 37
Unknown 38
Unknown 39
Vignette Control
Unknown 40
Unknown 41
Unknown 42
Unknown 43
Unknown 44
Unknown 45
Unknown 46
Image Adjustment
Tone Compensation
Adapter
Lens Type
Lens
Manual Focus Distance
Digital Zoom
Flash Used
AF Focus Position
Shooting Mode
Unknown 20
Lens Stops
Contrast Curve
Colour Mode
Unknown 47
Scene Mode
Light source
Shot Info
Camera Hue Adjustment
NEF Compression
Saturation
Noise Reduction
Linearization Table
Color Balance
Lens Data
NEF Thumbnail Size
Sensor Pixel Size
Unknown 10
Scene Assist
Unknown 11
Retouch History
Unknown 12
Camera Serial Number
Image Data Size
Unknown 27
Unknown 28
Image Count
Deleted Image Count
Exposure Sequence Number
Flash Info
Image Optimisation
Saturation
Digital Vari Program
Image Stabilisation
AF Response
Unknown 29
Unknown 30
Multi Exposure
High ISO Noise Reduction
Unknown 31
Unknown 32
Unknown 33
Unknown 48
Power Up Time
AF Info 2
File Info
AF Tune
Unknown 49
Unknown 50
Apple Run Time Flags
Epoch
Scale
Value
Kyocera/Contax Makernote Print Image Matching (PIM) Info
Proprietary Thumbnail Format Data
Exif SubIFD Image Width
JPEG Proc
Related Image File Format
Exif Version
Temperature
FlashPix Version
File Source
Gamma
Components Configuration
Interoperability Index
Image Height
Related Image Width
Shutter Speed Value
Humidity
Color Space
Scene Type
Custom Rendered
Compressed Bits Per Pixel
Interoperability Version
Bits Per Sample
Related Image Height
Aperture Value
Pressure
Exif Image Width
CFA Pattern
Exposure Mode
Compression
JPEG Restart Interval
Date/Time Original
Brightness Value
Water Depth
Exif Image Height
White Balance Mode
Date/Time Digitized
Exposure Bias Value
Acceleration
Related Sound File
Digital Zoom Ratio
JPEG Lossless Predictors
Max Aperture Value
Camera Elevation Angle
Focal Length 35
Photometric Interpretation
JPEG Point Transforms
Subject Distance
Scene Capture Type
Thresholding
JPEGQ Tables
Metering Mode
Gain Control
JPEGDC Tables
White Balance
Contrast
JPEGAC Tables
Flash
Saturation
Fill Order
Focal Length
Sharpness
Flash Energy
Flash Energy
Device Setting Description
Spatial Frequency Response
Spatial Frequency Response
Subject Distance Range
Document Name
Noise
Image Description
Focal Plane X Resolution
Focal Plane X Resolution
Make
Focal Plane Y Resolution
Focal Plane Y Resolution
Model
Time Zone
Focal Plane Resolution Unit
Strip Offsets
YCbCr Coefficients
Time Zone Original
Image Number
Orientation
YCbCr Sub-Sampling
Time Zone Digitized
Security Classification
YCbCr Positioning
Image History
Reference Black/White
Subject Location
Subject Location
Samples Per Pixel
Exposure Index
Exposure Index
Rows Per Strip
TIFF/EP Standard ID
Strip Byte Counts
Sensing Method
Minimum Sample Value
Maximum Sample Value
X Resolution
Y Resolution
Planar Configuration
Padding
Page Name
Unique Image ID
Exposure Program
Spectral Sensitivity
ISO Speed Ratings
Resolution Unit
Opto-electric Conversion Function (OECF)
Page Number
Interlace
Time Zone Offset
Self Timer Mode
Transfer Function
Strip Row Counts
Sensitivity Type
Camera Owner Name
Software
Standard Output Sensitivity
Body Serial Number
Date/Time
Recommended Exposure Index
Lens Specification
ISO Speed
Lens Make
ISO Speed Latitude yyy
Lens Model
ISO Speed Latitude zzz
Lens Serial Number
Artist
Host Computer
Predictor
White Point
Primary Chromaticities
Tile Width
Tile Length
Tile Offsets
Tile Byte Counts
Rating
Photoshop Settings
Sub IFD Pointer(s)
Transfer Range
JPEG Tables
Inter Color Profile
Makernote
User Comment
CFA Repeat Pattern Dim
CFA Pattern
Battery Level
Sub-Sec Time
Sub-Sec Time Original
Sub-Sec Time Digitized
Copyright
Exposure Time
Windows XP Title
Windows XP Comment
F-Number
Windows XP Author
Windows XP Keywords
Windows XP Subject
Print Image Matching (PIM) Info
IPTC/NAA
Application Notes
Panasonic Title
Panasonic Title (2)
Lens
New Subfile Type
Subfile Type
Kodak Makernote Kodak Model
White Balance
Quality
Burst Mode
Image Width
Image Height
Year Created
Month/Day Created
Time Created
Burst Mode 2
Shutter Speed
Metering Mode
Flash Mode
Sequence Number
Flash Fired
F Number
ISO Setting
Exposure Time
ISO
Total Zoom
Exposure Compensation
Date/Time Stamp
Color Mode
Digital Zoom
Sharpness
Focus Mode
Olympus Makernote Pre Capture Frames
Thumbnail Image
Special Mode
Makernote Version
Print Image Matching (PIM) Info
Data Dump
Shutter Speed Value
Raw Info
Main Info
Camera Settings
Colour Mode
JPEG Quality
White Board
Data Dump 2
ISO Value
Image Quality
Macro
One Touch WB
Aperture Value
Exposure Mode
Camera Settings
Image Quality
BW Mode
White Balance Bracket
Scene Mode
Brightness Value
Flash Mode
Body Firmware Version
Digital Zoom
White Balance Bias
Serial Number
Flash Mode
White Balance
Focal Plane Diagonal
Firmware
Flash Device
Image Size
Lens Distortion Parameters
Bracket
Image Quality
Camera Type
Sensor Temperature
Shooting Mode
Pict Info
Lens Temperature
Metering Mode
Camera Id
Light Condition
Apex Film Speed Value
Focus Range
Apex Shutter Speed Time Value
Image Width
Focus Mode
Apex Aperture Value
Image Height
Focus Distance
Macro Mode
Original Manufacturer Model
Zoom
Digital Zoom
Macro Focus
Exposure Compensation
Sharpness
Bracket Step
Flash Charge Level
Equipment
Colour Matrix
Interval Length
Black Level
Interval Number
Color Temperature BG
Focal Length
Color Temperature RG
Focus Distance
White Balance Mode
Flash Fired
Date
Red Balance
Time
Blue Balance
Max Aperture at Focal Length
Color Matrix Number
Serial Number
External Flash AE1 0
File Number Memory
External Flash AE2 0
Last File Number
Internal Flash AE1 0
White Balance Red
Internal Flash AE2 0
White Balance Green
External Flash AE1
White Balance Blue
External Flash AE2
Camera Settings
Saturation
Internal Flash AE1
Contrast
Internal Flash AE2
Sharpness
Flash Bias
Subject Program
Internal Flash Table
Flash Compensation
External Flash G Value
ISO Setting
External Flash Bounce
Camera Model
External Flash Zoom
Interval Mode
External Flash Mode
Folder Name
Contrast
Color Mode
Sharpness Factor
Color Filter
Colour Control
Black and White Filter
Valid Bits
Internal Flash
Coring Filter
Apex Brightness Value
Olympus Image Width
Spot Focus Point X Coordinate
Olympus Image Height
Spot Focus Point Y Coordinate
Scene Detect
Raw Development
Wide Focus Zone
Scene Area
Raw Development 2
Focus Mode
Focus Area
Scene Detect Data
DEC Switch Position
Compression Ratio
Preview Image Valid
Preview Image Start
Preview Image Length
AF Result
CCD Scan Mode
Noise Reduction
Infinity Lens Step
Near Lens Step
Light Value Center
Light Value Periphery
Field Count
Compressed Image Size
Image Processing
Focus Info
Preview Image
Thumbnail Offset
Thumbnail Offset
Thumbnail Length
PrintIM PrintIM Version
PanasonicRaw DistortionInfo Distortion Param 2
Distortion Param 4
Distortion Scale
Distortion Correction
Distortion Param 8
Distortion Param 9
Distortion Param 11
Distortion N
Olympus Equipment Equipment Version
Camera Type 2
Flash Type
Serial Number
Lens Type
Extender
Flash Model
Internal Serial Number
Lens Serial Number
Extender Serial Number
Flash Firmware Version
Focal Plane Diagonal
Lens Model
Extender Model
Conversion Lens
Flash Serial Number
Body Firmware Version
Lens Firmware Version
Extender Firmware Version
Max Aperture At Min Focal
Max Aperture At Max Focal
Min Focal Length
Max Focal Length
Max Aperture
Lens Properties
JPEG Data Precision
Image Height
Compression Type
Image Width
Number of Components
Component 1
Component 2
Component 3
Component 4
PanasonicRaw WbInfo2 Num WB Entries
WB Type 1
WB RGB Levels 1
WB Type 2
WB RGB Levels 2
WB Type 3
WB RGB Levels 3
WB Type 4
WB RGB Levels 4
WB Type 5
WB RGB Levels 5
WB Type 6
WB RGB Levels 6
WB Type 7
WB RGB Levels 7
© Polypheny GmbH. All Rights Reserved.