Self-Service Video Hosting

Introduction

CITL has created a video service available for instructors to host short, self created video lectures. The system allows instructors to upload video files to the server, which are processed and made available for internet streaming. Once conversion is complete, an embed code is provided that allows the video to be embedded into a Brightspace course site.

Each instructor will receive 30 GB of space for storing lectures and will have the ability to add or remove from this list as needed. Individual video uploads are capped at 1 GB per file. Instructors are encouraged to retain a copy of the original recording after uploading it to the service as once the video is converted, it cannot be downloaded in its original form.

A typical 15 minute video encoded at 720p (the maximum quality that can be streamed) should be about 200MB per file. If your video is significantly larger than this, you should transcode it to maximize your storage space, and improve the student streaming experience. You can find instructions on how to transcode to 720p in our FAQ.

Watch our videos to see an overview of the system, or browse the sections below.

Tutorial Videos

Getting Started and Uploading

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Managing Files and Embedding

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Getting Started

To access the system visit the Dashboard widget within Brightspace, and click on Instructor and then Video Uploader. This will take you to our Instructor Tools portal. Read the disclaimer, and click Let’s Get Started to begin.

The next screen is the Video Uploader dashboard. On this screen you can:

  • see how much of your quota is in use on the server;
  • see which videos are currently being uploaded to the server;
  • see which videos are processed, and ready to be embedded.

Uploading Your Video

Step-by-step instructions are included within the application to guide you through uploading your video. Once on the Video Uploader dashboard, click the Add a Video button to see the instructions or watch the video above.

Embedding Your Video

Once your video is uploaded and processed, it will appear in the Videos available for embedding table.

There are two options for making your videos available to students:

  1. Embedding the video inline into your course site which will allow you to include text and context around a video. This option will enable the video to play on the same page as your content;
  2. Adding a link to your course site which will open a new window that will show your video.

To access the embed code, click the embed icon (icon here) across from the video you would like to embed. Select the embed code that matches the method you prefer.

Once you have your embed code:

  • return to your Brightspace course site and access your content section;
  • create a new page, or select an existing page to edit;
Steps to add new page
  • click on the location in your content that you would like to embed your video, and then click the Insert Stuff button in the toolbar;
  • click Enter Embed Code;
  • paste your embed code into the box;
  • click Next. You will be shown a preview of your embed;
  • click Insert;
  • this will add the player or the link to your content. Once you are finished making edits, click Save or Save and Close.

Managing Your Videos

As you upload videos, you will notice that your quota listed at the top of the page will fill up as seen below.

Your quota is determined by the file sizes of your final processed file (not the original file size of your upload). The upload process automatically converts your video into a number of stream friendly formats for different student bandwidth situations. The goal is to ensure that no matter what internet connection type your students have, they will be able to watch your video.

Across from the videos listed in the Videos available for embedding table you will see a number of options:

  1. an Update metadata for this video button will allow you to edit the title, and other optional metadata for the video;
  2. a Play video button will allow you to review the video;
  3. an Embed code button will generate embed codes for your video;
  4. a Closed Captions button allows you to upload a closed captions file to your video;
  5. a Delete video button will allow you to delete the video from the system freeing up the space in your quota, but breaking any video embed you have placed in your courses.

Care should be taken when deleting a video that it is no longer needed for your students. Additionally, CITL does not retain a copy of the original video so when it is deleted, it is unrecoverable. If you need the video embedded again, you must upload it from the original source file.

Closed Captions

By clicking on the closed captions button, you will be presented with an upload screen like the one seen below.

Here, you can upload a generated closed caption file in DFXP, SRT or VTT file formats. Once uploaded, your students will than have access to a transcription and closed captions option they can use within the player.