# Ingest and convert timed metadata with the Wowza Video REST API

Timed metadata allows you to add interactivity to streams broadcast
through the Wowza Video™ service. Wowza Video can ingest AMF data, a
type of metadata that is embedded into WOWZ or RTMP streams, from source
encoders, cameras, or Wowza Streaming Engine™. To send the metadata for
playback over HLS streams, Wowza Video must first convert AMF data to
ID3 tags.

In this article, learn how to ingest AMF data into Wowza Video, convert
AMF data into ID3 tags using the Wowza Video REST API, and consider
available playback options for timed metadata in HLS streams.

## Before you start

You should complete the following tasks:

- Create a **RTMP transcoder** or **live stream**. You'll need the
resulting `transcoder_id` or `live_stream_id`. See [Connect an RTMP
encoder](/docs/wowza-video/guides/video-source/encoder-camera/connect-an-rtmp-encoder)
to learn how to create transcoder for RTMP.


## About AMF data ingested into a Wowza Video transcoder

Wowza Video can receive AMF metadata from an encoder or other H.264
source that supports and sends it, but AMF metadata can’t be directly
injected into a transcoder in Wowza Video.

Wowza Streaming Engine can send single bitrate streams that contain AMF
metadata to a Wowza Video transcoder. For instructions on these
workflows, see [More resources](#more-resources).

Info
In order for Wowza Video to convert AMF metadata to ID3 tags
for HLS playback, it must be in the following format:

- The AMF data must be included in in a top-level AMF data object `AMFDataObj`.
Within that AMF data object, you can include key:value pairs that
include AMF data of additional types, such as string, Boolean,
list, or even a nested object.
- The `AMFDataObj` object must include two properties: (1) a key
called `payload` whose value is a string of data to be converted
and (2) a key called `wowzaConverter` whose value is
`basic_string`. For a code example showing how to format
incoming AMF data, see Inject timed metadata using a Wowza Streaming Engine HTTP provider.


For additional instructions on sending AMF metadata with a third-party
encoder, see the manufacturer’s documentation.

## 1. Update the convertAMFData stream target property

Once you have associated a stream target with an output rendition for
the transcoder, or, once you have a `stream_target_ID` from your live
stream details, configure a stream target to enable the conversion of
AMF data to ID3 tags. If you use multiple stream targets with the
transcoder, configure the property for each one. This allows Wowza Video
to listen for AMF data events coming from the source encoder or camera,
parse the data events, map the events to ID3 tags, and send the ID3 tags
in the HLS stream.

For additional information about stream target properties, see [Set
advanced properties with the Wowza Video REST
API](/docs/wowza-video/guides/more-tasks/set-advanced-properties).

You can use the following sample request, making sure to:

- Set `stream_target_id` to the `id` for the `stream_target`.


#### Sample request

Endpoint Reference


```
curl -X POST \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer ${WV_JWT}" \
-d '{
    "property": {
      "key": "convertAMFData",
      "section": "hls",
      "value": true
    }
}' "${WV_HOST}/api/${WV_VERSION}/stream_targets/[stream_target_id]/properties"
```

#### Sample response


```
{
  "property": {
      "section": "hls",
      "key": "convertAMFData",
      "value": true,
  }
}
```

## 2. Reset the transcoder or live stream

If you have started the transcoder or live stream at any point before
enabling the `convertAMFData` stream target property, you must reset
the transcoder or live stream for the property to take effect. This step
isn’t necessary if you haven’t started the transcoder or live stream at
all.

You can use the following sample request, making sure to:

- Use the `/live_streams/[live_stream_id]/reset` endpoint if you
have created a live stream or set the *transcoder_id*


#### Sample request

Endpoint Reference


```
curl -X PUT \
-H "Authorization: Bearer ${WV_JWT}" \
"${WV_HOST}/api/${WV_VERSION}/transcoders/[transcoder_id]/reset"
```

## 3. Verify the metadata in the stream

To verify that the converted AMF data is showing up as ID3 tags in an
HLS stream, you can view the console log of the Wowza Video hosted page.

1. Set up a live stream in Wowza Video that uses Wowza Player for
playback and includes a hosted page.
2. Set up a source that sends AMF data, and configure the associated
stream target in Wowza Video to convert the AMF data to ID3 tags.
3. Start the source and the live stream.
4. Open the hosted page URL, play the stream, and view the console log
to verify that metadata shows up in the stream.
5. Stop the live stream and the source.


## Playback options

When a player that supports ID3 tags receives an HLS stream, it can
listen for and process the metadata. Wowza Flowplayer supports ID3 timed metadata.

For information on whether and how other third-party players support
metadata formatted in ID3 tags, see their documentation.



## More resources

* Inject timed metadata using a Wowza Streaming Engine HTTP provider
* [Send a stream from Wowza Streaming Engine to Wowza Video for transcoding using Wowza APIs](/docs/wowza-video/guides/video-source/encoder-camera/send-stream-from-wse-to-wv-for-transcoding)