Canvas - Upload and embed a new Kaltura Mediaspace video in a Canvas page [UW-Madison]
This document describes how Canvas users can upload a new video and embed it using the Embed Kaltura Media function in the Canvas rich content editor
Kaltura MediaSpace is UW-Madison's media streaming service and is integrated with Canvas. Kaltura media can be embedded wherever Canvas allows you to use the rich content editor.
Note: to embed an existing Kaltura Mediaspace item in a Canvas course, please see Canvas - Embedding an existing Kaltura MediaSpace video in a Canvas Page [UW-Madison]
We recommend instructors new to using media with their Canvas course start here. Uploading and embedding Kaltura media in a Canvas Page or other Canvas tool is an easy way to make your Kaltura media available to your students. Embedded media provides more context and keeps the student in Canvas rather than sending them to an external link outside of Canvas. It also allows Kaltura to collect more detailed analytics.
- In your Canvas course, go to the Canvas page, discussion post, or quiz discussion you want to embed Kaltura media in. Click Edit.
- Move your cursor to the point in your Canvas item where you want to insert Kaltura media.
- Click the Embed Kaltura Media button which looks like the colorful Kaltura logo. If your browser is not of sufficient width you may need to click the three dot button on the right to expand the menu to see the button:
- A window titled Kaltura Media will open showing the media content associated with your Kaltura account.
- To upload media at this point click Add New and select Media Upload to upload a new video to your account:
- Read and click the "I agree to the above terms and conditions" disclaimer.
- Scroll down to click + Choose a file to upload or drag your MP4 file onto the window:
- A window will open allowing you to select the video file to upload. While Kaltura can process a wide range of video formats, we find MP4 videos generally work well. We recommend 1280 x 720 video as a good balance between file size and quality. We also recommend you try to keep your video files under 2 GB - the larger the file the longer it will take to upload and process.
- Your file will upload. While it uploads you can edit the name, description, and tags.
Upload Speed
Even when Kaltura MediaSpace is running smoothly, other internet service providers may experience slower service, which could limit your upload speed.
- Upload speeds and Kaltura's upload performance varies, but an upload speed of 10 Mbps should be able to upload a 250 MB file to Kaltura in about 4.5 minutes.
Processing
The amount of time it takes Kaltura MediaSpace to process a file depends on file size, duration, quality, and usage.
Generally it takes about 2-3 times the video's duration for Kaltura MediaSpace to display your video in low definition (high definition versions take longer to process). For example, a 15 minute video will usually take about 30-45 minutes to process (in low-definition). When Kaltura MediaSpace is being heavily used, processing times will lengthen and could take up to 24 hours.
If your video takes longer than 24 hours to process, please call the DoIT Help Desk. More detailed information is available in Kaltura's document involvingtranscoding times and quality of service.
- You can edit your file name, description, and tags as it uploads. After your file is done uploading you can:
- Edit the file's name, description, tags, and add collaborators. More information on the collaboration feature is available in Kaltura - Media Collaboration: Changing media ownership, adding co-editors, co-publishers, and co-viewers [UW-Madison] .
- Save button on the bottom will simply save your changes to the metadata while your video uploads.
- </> Save and Embed button in the upper right will embed your video using the default settings in your Canvas Page or other area the Canvas rich content editor is available.
- Gear icon to edit your embed settings. An Embed Settings window will display:
- Choose Player: Choose your player based on the type of media you are embedding. For video users can choose between:
Default player - Previously known as the "Main player", this player is setup with the most commonly used options. Most users use this player.
Download player - Use the download player if you want users to be able to download the original source media file locally to their computer. This can be useful if you have students without reliable high speed internet connections. They could go to a library or coffee shop to download your media to view later. If you choose the download player, viewers can download the original version of the video you uploaded to Kaltura by clicking the Download video button in the upper right of the video:
Transcript player - The transcript player adds a transcript widget below your video if you have captions uploaded and displayed on your video. The transcript widget allows users to search the transcript for a specific word or click on a specific part of the transcript to jump to that part of the video:
- Max Embed Size: Users can choose how large the media is displayed within the Canvas rich content editor.
- Thumbnail Embed: Turning thumbnail embed on renders an image that will display instead of the video player. The student needs to click on the image to load the player. Generally we recommend keeping this option turned off.
- Auto Play: Turning auto play on plays the media immediately when the student loads the page with the embedded media. We recommend you keep auto play off and let the student choose to play the media by clicking the "Play" button.
- Set as my default settings for media type: Video (or Audio, or Image): If you like the settings you have selected you can check this box to make future embeds use them without having to set them every time.
- Start at: Set the start time for the media item.
- End at: Set the end time for the media item. Note that users can still play the entire video!
- </> Embed: When you have set the options you want, click the </> Embed button to embed the media.
If after embedding your Kaltura media you decide you'd like to change the options you selected it is easiest to delete your embedded media from the page and re-embed.
- Choose Player: Choose your player based on the type of media you are embedding. For video users can choose between:
- After embedding, you will see an icon indicating it is still processing. Once done processing the video will show up on your Canvas page. You can continue to edit the page and add text if you'd like. Once you're done click the Save button:
- Canvas will display your page with your embedded Kaltura video:
