vsmeta-to-jpeg

Extract embedded JPEG images (poster and backdrop) from Synology Video Station .vsmeta metadata files.

Synology has officially deprecated Video Station with DSM 7.2.2. If you are migrating to Jellyfin, Kodi, Plex, or other generic ecosystems, this tool helps you recover the high-quality artwork (posters and backdrops) currently trapped inside your binary .vsmeta files and saves them as standard .jpg sidecars directly alongside your source media.

Looking to generate .nfo metadata files as well? Check out the sibling package vsmeta-to-nfo.

This package provides both a command-line tool for batch extraction and a programmatic interface.

Installation

# Global install for CLI use
npm install -g vsmeta-to-jpeg

# Or install locally
npm install vsmeta-to-jpeg

CLI Usage

Installed Package

# Process a single file
vsmeta-to-jpeg ./path/to/movie.mp4.vsmeta

# Recursively scan a directory and extract images from all discovered .vsmeta files
vsmeta-to-jpeg ./path/to/library

Options

• -d, --dry-run: Simulate the process without writing any actual .jpg files.
• -f, --overwrite: By default, the script skips extraction if the target .jpg files already exist. This option overrides that safeguard.
• -v, --verbose: Append a concise list of all skipped or failed files and errors at the end of the console execution run.

Image Naming Convention

Images are extracted using a prefix based on the .vsmeta filename:

• poster.jpg: The main artwork / cover.
• fanart.jpg: The backdrop / background (Movies/Others).
• thumb.jpg: The backdrop / background (TV Episodes).

If your file is MyMovie.mp4.vsmeta, the tool will generate MyMovie.mp4-poster.jpg and MyMovie.mp4-fanart.jpg. If your file is S01E01.mp4.vsmeta (and contains episode metadata), it will generate S01E01.mp4-poster.jpg and S01E01.mp4-thumb.jpg.

Programmatic API

import { convertVsMetaToJpeg } from 'vsmeta-to-jpeg';

const result = convertVsMetaToJpeg('./libraries/movies/MyMovie (2020).mp4.vsmeta', {
  dryRun: false,
  overwrite: true,
});

if (result.status === 'SUCCESS') {
    console.log(`Extracted images for: ${result.vsmetaPath}`);
}

License

MIT License