ID3

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== Format details ==
 
== Format details ==
There are two major versions. ID3v1 defines a fixed-length data block that is always placed at the end of the file. ID3v2, which has very little in common with ID3v1, defines a block with variable-length frames and allows more flexibility and verbosity.
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There are two major versions. ID3v1 defines a fixed-length data block that is always placed at the end of the file. ID3v2, which has very little in common with ID3v1, defines a block with variable-length frames and allows more flexibility and verbosity. ID3v2 data usually appears at the beginning of the file. It is possible, and common, for a file to have both ID3v1 and ID3v2 metadata.
  
As of 2017, it seems there are essentially three versions of ID3v2 to be aware of: v2.2.x, v2.3.x, and v2.4.x. These formats have many similarities, but are different in detail, and are ''not'' compatible in any way.
+
As of 2017, it seems there are essentially three versions of ID3v2 to be aware of: v2.2.x, v2.3.x, and v2.4.x. These formats have some critical differences, and are definitely ''not'' compatible with each other.
  
 
== Identification ==
 
== Identification ==

Revision as of 15:30, 27 November 2017

File Format
Name ID3
Ontology
LoCFDD fdd000106, fdd000107, fdd000108
Released 1996

ID3, or ID3 tag, is a metadata format, used in MP3 audio files. It stores information such as the song title, artist, and album.

Contents

Format details

There are two major versions. ID3v1 defines a fixed-length data block that is always placed at the end of the file. ID3v2, which has very little in common with ID3v1, defines a block with variable-length frames and allows more flexibility and verbosity. ID3v2 data usually appears at the beginning of the file. It is possible, and common, for a file to have both ID3v1 and ID3v2 metadata.

As of 2017, it seems there are essentially three versions of ID3v2 to be aware of: v2.2.x, v2.3.x, and v2.4.x. These formats have some critical differences, and are definitely not compatible with each other.

Identification

An MP3 file with an ID3v2 tag begins with ASCII "ID3".

For an MP3 file with an ID3v1 tag, ASCII "TAG" appears beginning 128 bytes from the end of the file.

Specifications

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