Bento4

Bento4 is an open-source software toolkit for working with MP4 and ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMF) files. It provides a C++ library and Python bindings that enable developers to read, write, and modify MP4 files, as well as to prepare content for streaming workflows. The toolkit is designed to support both traditional MP4 files and fragmented MP4 (fMP4) suitable for modern adaptive streaming.

Key capabilities of Bento4 include parsing and constructing MP4 boxes, manipulating track and sample data, and facilitating the creation of fragmented segments used in streaming formats such as MPEG-DASH and Apple HLS. It offers facilities for MP4 packaging, editing, and inspection, and includes support for common encryption schemes used with ISOBMFF content. The library is intended to be integrated into media pipelines, servers, and authoring tools, providing programmatic access to the structure and timing of media segments.

Architecture and components of Bento4 typically consist of the core C++ library along with Python bindings, and a collection of utilities and sample applications that demonstrate typical workflows. The project emphasizes portability and cross-platform support, with builds available for major operating systems. Developers use Bento4 to automate tasks such as generating and validating MP4 segments, testing streaming scenarios, and performing low-level file manipulations as part of content preparation.

License and availability: Bento4 is distributed under a permissive open-source license and is available from its official repository and distribution channels. It has been adopted in various professional and research contexts to support MP4 parsing, packaging, and streaming workflows. See the project documentation for detailed API references and tool descriptions.