Video Watermarking: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Node.js and ApyHub API

Why Video Watermarking Matters

• Copyright Protection: Prevents unauthorized distribution by marking ownership.
• Branding: Adds logos or text to reinforce brand visibility.
• Proof of Ownership: Establishes authenticity in disputes.
• Content Monitoring: Tracks usage across platforms.

Prerequisites

• Node.js Installed: Version 14.x or later recommended. Download here.

• Basic JavaScript Knowledge: Familiarity with async/await and HTTP requests.
• ApyHub Account: Sign up at ApyHub to obtain an API token.
  
• Video and Watermark Files: URLs or accessible files for testing (e.g., .mp4 for video, .png or .jpg for watermark).
• Text Editor: VS Code, Sublime, or any preferred IDE.

Step-by-Step Guide to Watermarking Videos

Step 1: Set Up Your Project

mkdir video-watermarking  
cd video-watermarking

npm init -y

Step 2: Install Dependencies

• Axios: For making HTTP requests to the ApyHub API.
• fs (File System): A built-in Node.js module for handling file operations.

npm install axios

Step 3: Write the Watermarking Script

  const axios = require('axios');  
    const fs = require('fs');
    
    async function addWatermark(videoURL, watermarkImageURL, outputFileName) {  
      const apiURL = `https://api.apyhub.com/generate/video/watermark/url/file?output=${outputFileName}.mp4`;  
      const requestData = {  
        video_url: videoURL,  
        watermark_image_url: watermarkImageURL  
      };
    
      try {  
        const response = await axios.post(apiURL, requestData, {  
          headers: {  
            'Content-Type': 'application/json',  
            'apy-token': 'YOUR_APY_TOKEN_HERE'  
          },  
          responseType: 'stream'  
        });
    
        const writeStream = fs.createWriteStream(`${outputFileName}.mp4`);  
        response.data.pipe(writeStream);
    
        return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {  
          writeStream.on('finish', () => resolve('Watermark added successfully!'));  
          writeStream.on('error', reject);  
        });  
      } catch (error) {  
        throw new Error(`Failed to add watermark: ${error.response?.data?.error?.message || error.message}`);  
      }  
    }

// Example usage  
const videoURL = '<https://example.com/sample-video.mp4>';  
const watermarkImageURL = '<https://example.com/watermark.png>';  
const outputFileName = 'watermarked_video';

addWatermark(videoURL, watermarkImageURL, outputFileName)  
  .then((message) => console.log(message))  
  .catch((error) => console.error('Error:', error.message));

• Replace 'YOUR_APY_TOKEN_HERE' with your ApyHub API token from your dashboard.
• Update videoURL and watermarkImageURL with valid URLs to your video and watermark image.

Step 4: Execute the Script

node watermarkVideo.js

1. Send the video and watermark URLs to the ApyHub API.
2. Receive a stream of the watermarked video.
3. Save it as watermarked_video.mp4 in your project directory.

Step 5: Verify the Output

How the ApyHub API Works

• Endpoint: https://api.apyhub.com/generate/video/watermark/url/file
• Method: POST
• Parameters:
  • video_url: URL of the source video.
  • watermark_image_url: URL of the watermark image.
• Headers:
  • Content-Type: application/json
  • apy-token: Your authentication token.
• Response: A stream of the watermarked video.

Best Practices for Video Watermarking

• Watermark Design: Use a semi-transparent logo or text that’s visible but unobtrusive.
• Positioning: Place the watermark in a corner (e.g., top-right) to avoid obscuring key content.
• Consistency: Apply the same watermark across all videos for brand uniformity.
• File Format: Use PNG for watermarks with transparency support.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Authentication Errors: Verify your API token is correct and active.
• Invalid URLs: Ensure video and watermark URLs are publicly accessible.
• File Write Errors: Check directory permissions if the output file isn’t saving.
• API Limits: Confirm your ApyHub plan supports your video size and usage.

Enhancing the Script

Error Handling

if (!videoURL || !watermarkImageURL || !outputFileName) {  
  throw new Error('Missing required parameters');  
}

Configuration Options

const requestData = {  
  video_url: videoURL,  
  watermark_image_url: watermarkImageURL,  
  position: 'top-right', // Optional: customize via API  
  opacity: 0.7          // Optional: adjust transparency  
};

Advanced Use Cases

• Local Files: Upload local videos by modifying the script to use ApyHub’s file-based endpoint (requires multipart form data).
• Batch Processing: Extend the script to watermark multiple videos by looping over an array of URLs.
• Dynamic Watermarks: Generate watermarks programmatically (e.g., user-specific text) using ApyHub’s image processing APIs first.

Conclusion

FAQ

1. What is video watermarking?
   Video watermarking embeds a mark (e.g., logo or text) into a video to signify ownership or prevent misuse.
2. Why use ApyHub for video watermarking?
   ApyHub’s API simplifies the process, offering a scalable, code-free solution for Node.js developers.
3. Can I watermark local files with ApyHub?
   Yes, ApyHub supports file uploads. See their documentation for details.
4. How do I get an ApyHub API token?
   Sign up at ApyHub, then retrieve your token from the dashboard.
5. What watermark formats are supported?
   ApyHub accepts image formats like PNG and JPEG for watermarks.
6. Are there video size limits with ApyHub?
   Limits depend on your subscription. Check ApyHub’s pricing for specifics.
7. What else can I do with ApyHub APIs?
   Beyond video watermarking, ApyHub offers APIs for PDF editing, image manipulation, and data validation—explore the full catalog at ApyHub.