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How to find recording device info from media file (audio/video)

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(@haider881)
Active Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

Hi

Is it possible to take metadata from a video/audio and use that data to identify what phone model was used to record that video, like iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone 8+, Samsung, microphone etc.

I did some research on my own and I found two factors that might help, the first is vendor ID and the second is the encoder, i am not sure if different phones have different encoders in the hardware, i couldn't find any information on it.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

 

Haider.


   
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(@mscotgrove)
Prominent Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 940
 

Most video files I see (normally MP4) do have the camera name imbedded in the file.  Typically this is in the moov atom, eg in the  'uuid' tag.

Sometimes there may be an XML tag after the main moov section.

I suggest you look at a file with a hex viewer, starting with moov atom.  NB I mainly see cameras rather than phones.

Occasionally there may be small files on a memory chip with camera info, but in my experience, this is not very common.

 

Search for an expected name, eg HERO, Canon, Insta360, Apple etc


   
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(@haider881)
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Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

@mscotgrove thanks alot


   
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watcher
(@watcher)
Estimable Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 125
 

Most original video files have EXIF data just like picture files. However if it's been processed through a third party like a web site, just like picture files the EXIF is usually stripped away.


   
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(@haider881)
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Joined: 2 years ago
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@watcher thanks alot


   
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(@neeru)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 8
 

Hi

If media is shared over WhatsApp, then many a times the metadata gets stripped off. Only few recorders may leave a signature in the metadata. Apple and Android devices leave a signature regading the OS of the recording device. Some voice recorders leave signature. It may not be possible to fingerprint the exact device used for the recording. Generic info like model or OS may be obtained, not the Serial number of the recording device. It is also possible that the metadata has been modified and the details of recording device have been removed.


   
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(@haider881)
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Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 6
Topic starter  

@neeru Thanks alot. I have done an experiment on my side. I record audio on iphone and check its metadata. It has the signature regading the OS of the recording device and its version. But when I send it over social media plateforms like whatsapp, facebook, twitter etc. the metadata was completely changed and their was no signature regading the OS of the recording device or version. however a new flag was inserted with the name of Handler Vendor ID: Apple. In start I guess that this handler Vendor ID is may be an indication of recording device. But when I upload anoother recording vwhich was not from Iphone. the same field with same value was inserted to their metadata too. Now I am confused that what's mean by handler vendor ID?

Haider.


   
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