GstOBUMetadata

GstObuMetadata – Embed & Extract Metadata in AV1 Video Frames with GStreamer

RidgeRun’s GstObuMetadata is a GStreamer plugin that enables real-time metadata injection and extraction in AV1-encoded video streams by leveraging the Open Bitstream Unit (OBU) structure of AV1. Whether you’re recording or streaming, this plugin allows you to embed binary metadata within video frames—preserving critical data without requiring parallel data channels or external systems.

This is the ideal solution for developers building AV1 pipelines that require tight synchronization of metadata with video—especially in use cases like AI annotation, location tagging, timestamping, or frame-specific diagnostics.

Key Features:

• Inject & Extract Frame-Linked Metadata in AV1
  Easily add and retrieve metadata embedded in AV1 video frames using the AV1-compliant OBU format.

• Supports Both Streaming and Recording
  Seamlessly embeds metadata in real-time, whether you’re saving video to disk or sending it over a network.

• No Auxiliary Channels Required
  Metadata travels inside the video stream—no need for sockets, sidecar files, or muxers.

• High Flexibility, Minimal Overhead
  User-defined binary metadata (e.g., GPS, AI output, timecodes) can be added per frame without affecting playback.

• GStreamer-Compatible Elements
  Plugin includes dedicated GStreamer elements for injecting and retrieving metadata inline.

Example Use Case:

A drone surveillance system uses GstObuMetadata to inject GPS coordinates and AI model predictions into each AV1 video frame in real time. This allows ground control systems to review footage later with embedded metadata for frame-by-frame decision-making or training purposes—no external metadata syncing required.

What’s Included:

• GstObuMetadata plugin for GStreamer

• Source code or binary license options

• Developer documentation, usage guide, and sample pipelines

• Optional 11-hour Embedded Software Support package for integration, tuning, or customization

Supported Platforms:

• NVIDIA Jetson (Nano, TX2, Xavier NX, AGX Orin)

• x86-64 Linux systems

• Qualcomm RB5, RB6, C8550

• NXP i.MX8

• Any GStreamer 1.x-compatible embedded platform with AV1 encoding/decoding capabilities

Why RidgeRun?

With over 19 years of embedded software consulting expertise, RidgeRun builds performance-critical tools for advanced video applications. GstObuMetadata brings seamless metadata-video pairing to AV1 pipelines, enabling developers to deliver synchronized, intelligent video streams with zero compromise.

Explore the developer wiki
Learn the basics
Read the user guide
View example GStreamer pipelines