<img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/%20-ENTERPRISE-B10031" style="float:left"/><br /> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/iOS-V4-009727?logo=apple" style="float:left"/><br />
A `JWExternalMetadata` object supplements the underlying metadata of the media asset.
For example, if you wanted to enable your app to respond to custom timed metadata, a handler can be placed into a time observer, such as `onTime`. However, this approach could have a performance impact. As an alternative, you can use `JWExternalMetadata` to surface custom timed metadata.
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## Set metadata
The `JWExternalMetadata` object can be added to one of two classes: `JWPlayerConfiguration` or `JWPlayerItem`.
| Class | Description |
`JWPlayerConfiguration` | When added to this class, the `JWExternalMetadata` object applies to all media items within a playlist. |
`JWPlayerItem` | When added to this class, the `JWExternalMetadata` object applies to the specific media item. |

If more than 5 `
JWExternalMetadata` items are set for a playlist or single media item, <strong>only the first 5 are honored.</strong>If `
JWExternalMetadata` is set for both `JWPlayerConfiguration` and `JWPlayerItem`, the `JWExternalMetadata` for the `JWPlayerItem` is honored. <strong>The `JWExternalMetadata` for the `JWPlayerConfiguration` is ignored.</strong>
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The following recipes demonstrate how to set metadata for an entire playlist or single media item.
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