Decision Table: Which Path Do I Take?

This guide helps you choose the right command and approach for your specific use case with DJI Metadata Embedder.

Quick Decision Tree

🎯 What do you want to do?

Goal Command When to Use
Process videos with telemetry dji-embed embed You have MP4/SRT pairs and want embedded metadata
Just export GPS tracks dji-embed convert You only need GPX/CSV files, not embedded videos
Check what's already there dji-embed check Verify if videos already have metadata
Validate file quality dji-embed validate Check for timing drift or file issues
System diagnostics dji-embed doctor Troubleshoot installation or dependencies
Point and click instead of typing the desktop app (Windows installer) Folder in, map/telemetry out — no terminal.
Map a whole folder of flights dji-embed flightmap You want every flight's track on one combined map (experimental)
Map your still photos dji-embed photomap You shot geotagged photos and want them on a map
No terminal at all drag the folder onto dji-embed.exe Maps the folder's flight logs and photos, then opens the result in your browser (same as dji-embed <folder>)

📋 Detailed Decision Matrix

For Video Processing (dji-embed embed)

If you have... And you want... Use this command
MP4 + SRT files Basic embedded metadata dji-embed embed /path/to/videos
MP4 + SRT files Custom output location dji-embed embed /path/to/videos -o /output/dir
MP4 + SRT + DAT files Enhanced telemetry data dji-embed embed /path/to/videos --dat /path/to/flight.DAT
Multiple videos with DAT files Auto-detect DAT files dji-embed embed /path/to/videos --dat-auto
Privacy concerns Remove GPS coordinates dji-embed embed /path/to/videos --redact drop
Privacy concerns Fuzzy GPS coordinates dji-embed embed /path/to/videos --redact fuzz
ExifTool installed Maximum metadata compatibility dji-embed embed /path/to/videos --exiftool

For Data Export (dji-embed convert)

Input Output Format Command
Single SRT file GPX track dji-embed convert gpx /path/to/file.SRT
Single SRT file CSV data dji-embed convert csv /path/to/file.SRT
Single SRT file GeoJSON dji-embed convert geojson /path/to/file.SRT
Single SRT file KML (Google Earth) dji-embed convert kml /path/to/file.SRT
Single SRT file Standalone HTML map dji-embed convert html /path/to/file.SRT
Directory of SRT files Multiple GPX files dji-embed convert gpx /path/to/srt/dir --batch
Directory of SRT files Multiple CSV files dji-embed convert csv /path/to/srt/dir --batch
Directory of SRT files Multiple HTML maps dji-embed convert html /path/to/srt/dir --batch
Directory of SRT files ONE combined HTML/KML/GeoJSON map dji-embed flightmap /path/to/srt/dir
Custom output filename Specific output file dji-embed convert gpx input.SRT -o custom.gpx
MP4 with no sidecar SRT (Air 3S, Mini 5 Pro) GPX/CSV/GeoJSON/KML track dji-embed convert <fmt> FILE.MP4 (ExifTool-backed; needs recent ExifTool — see MP4 Timed Metadata)
MP4 with no sidecar SRT (Air 3S, Mini 5 Pro) Sun/shadow verification dji-embed verify-sun FILE.MP4 (ExifTool-backed; needs recent ExifTool — see MP4 Timed Metadata)
Photos folder (JPG/DNG) Clustered HTML map dji-embed photomap /path/to/photos
Photos folder (JPG/DNG) KML for Google Earth dji-embed photomap /path/to/photos -f kml

For Analysis and Validation

Purpose Command Use Case
Check existing metadata dji-embed check /path/to/files See what's already embedded
Validate SRT/video sync dji-embed validate /path/to/videos Check for timing drift issues
System diagnostics dji-embed doctor Troubleshoot installation problems
Version information dji-embed --version Check tool and dependency versions

🎛️ Common Options Explained

Output Control

  • -o, --output DIR - Specify where processed files go (default: ./processed/)
  • -q, --quiet - Reduce console output (good for scripting)
  • -v, --verbose - Show detailed processing information

Privacy & Redaction

  • --redact none - Keep all GPS data (default)
  • --redact fuzz - Round GPS coordinates to ~100m precision
  • --redact drop - Remove all GPS data completely (csv keeps rows with GPS/sun columns blanked)

Advanced Options

  • --exiftool - Use ExifTool for additional metadata formats
  • --dat FILE - Include specific DAT flight log data
  • --dat-auto - Automatically find matching DAT files
  • --log-json - Machine-readable JSON output for automation

🗺️ Workflow Examples

Scenario 1: Basic Processing

# I have DJI_0001.MP4 and DJI_0001.SRT, want embedded video
dji-embed embed /drone/footage/

Scenario 2: Privacy-Conscious Processing

# Process videos but remove GPS for public sharing
dji-embed embed /drone/footage/ --redact drop -o /safe/outputs/

Scenario 3: GPS Track Only

# I just want a GPX file for Google Earth
dji-embed convert gpx /drone/footage/DJI_0001.SRT

Scenario 4: Batch Processing with DAT

# Process multiple videos with flight logs
dji-embed embed /drone/session/ --dat-auto --exiftool -o /processed/

Scenario 5: Quality Check

# Check if my videos already have metadata
dji-embed check /drone/footage/
# Validate timing sync between video and telemetry
dji-embed validate /drone/footage/

Scenario 6: Troubleshooting

# Installation not working?
dji-embed doctor
# Check versions
dji-embed --version

📱 DJI Model Compatibility

The maintained model list lives in one place — the Supported DJI Models section of the README (mirrored in the format specifications at SRT Formats). Highlights:

  • Ten models are fully tested with sample fixtures, from Mini 3/4/5 Pro and Air 3/3S to Avata 2/360, Neo 2, Mavic 3 Enterprise, Matrice 300, and Phantom 4 RTK/P4P.
  • Sidecar-less footage (Air 3S, Mini 5 Pro, Neo 2) can be read straight from the MP4's embedded track — see MP4 Timed Metadata.
  • Other models may work with similar formats — run dji-embed validate on a sample first, or open an issue with a short .SRT file and we'll add a parser.

❓ Still Not Sure?

Quick Questions:

  1. Do you have video files?
  2. Yes → Use embed or check

  3. No, just SRT → Use convert

  4. Is this your first time?

  5. Yes → Run dji-embed doctor first

  6. No → Continue with your workflow

  7. Having problems?

  8. Installation issues → dji-embed doctor
  9. File issues → dji-embed validate

  10. Unknown metadata → dji-embed check

  11. Need automation?

  12. Add --log-json to any command
  13. Use --quiet for scripting
  14. Check exit codes for success/failure

Get More Help:

  • Full CLI reference: See README.md
  • Troubleshooting: See docs/troubleshooting.md
  • How-to guides: See docs/how-to/
  • File formats: See docs/SRT_FORMATS.md

Still confused? Run dji-embed doctor to verify your setup, then try dji-embed check on a sample file to see what you're working with.