Skip to content

[iOS] MediaInfo reads transcoded H.264/SDR info when accessing video from 'Photos' picker #2627

@CopyDeep

Description

@CopyDeep

Description

When selecting a video through the "Photos" picker in the MediaInfo iOS app, the reported format is AVC/H.264 / 8-bit / BT.709 (SDR). However, the same video is actually recorded with HEVC / 10-bit / Dolby Vision.

In contrast, if the video is first saved to the "Files" app and then opened from there, MediaInfo correctly reports the HEVC / 10-bit / Dolby Vision information.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. On an iPhone 16 Pro Max (iOS 18.7.8), go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select "High Efficiency". Ensure "HDR Video" is also enabled.
  2. Record a short video.
  3. Open MediaInfo for iOS.
  4. Import the video using "Pick from Photos". -> MediaInfo reports the video as AVC/H.264, 8-bit, BT.709 (SDR).
  5. Save the same video from the Photos app to the "Files" app.
  6. In MediaInfo, now import the video from "Files". -> MediaInfo correctly reports the video as HEVC, 10-bit, Dolby Vision, BT.2020/HLG.

Expected Behavior

Both importing methods should return the original file's correct information.

Possible Cause

There may be differences in API handling when accessing media from the iOS Photos library, causing the system to return a compatibility-transcoded version (H.264/SDR) instead of the original data.

Environment

  • Device: iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iOS Version: 18.7.8
  • Video Format: HEVC, Dolby Vision, 10-bit, BT.2020/HLG

Additional Info

This issue was identified using the IMG_1893.MOV file recorded on the device. No attachments are provided to avoid sharing location privacy. The issue is consistently reproducible.

Metadata

Metadata

Assignees

No one assigned

    Labels

    No labels
    No labels

    Type

    No type
    No fields configured for issues without a type.

    Projects

    No projects

    Milestone

    No milestone

    Relationships

    None yet

    Development

    No branches or pull requests

    Issue actions