Summary
This article gives a general overview of Kaltura and answers some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Content
Kaltura is a set of tools for media hosting and delivery. It is integrated with my other tools including Canvas and is used on Canvas for hosting video and audio content for classes. Kaltura also provides the MediaSpace tool for sharing media files with the campus community and/or public.
For course use, Kaltura allows instructors and students to upload video/audio files to a course. The media files can then be viewed using a streaming media player right on the course page. It is also possible to create webcam recordings, screen recordings, and video quizzes. Kaltura can even be used to submit media assignments.
Features of Kaltura
Using Kaltura
Kaltura can be found within Canvas and MediaSpace (media.unh.edu, mediaspace.plymouth.edu, or mediaspace.keene.edu) and can be used in a few different ways. Click on any of the following to learn more.
- Media Gallery: Each course on Canvas has its own Media Gallery. This is a place where instructors and students can upload or view media. Instructors can require approval for student uploads if desired. The Media Gallery is a simple but less organized method for integrating media into your course.
- Embed Media: Video and audio files can be embedded into a page, discussion board post, assignment, or any other area that allows the use of the Rich Text Editor. This feature is available for instructors and students. Embedding Kaltura media allows instructors to present audio and video to their students in a very structured way.
- My Media: My Media appears in Canvas from the global navigation. When a user visits My Media they will see all video and audio files they have uploaded in the past, regardless of the course. A user will only see the media that they have uploaded. My Media is a great tool for searching through, editing, or deleting your audio and video files.
Recommended Browsers for Using Kaltura
Please refer to the official Kaltura player browser support page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Questions
Q1 - What should I do if the My Upload page says that there was an error when publishing my media?
Q2 - Why isn't Kaltura loading? I can't see anything!
Q3 - Why doesn't my course have a link for Media Gallery?
Q4 - I uploaded a file to the Media Gallery but it's not showing up!
Q5 - I want to use a piece of media in another course. Do I need to upload the file a second time?
Q6 - I want to share ownership of my video with another user. / I want to use my former student's upload in my current course. How do I access their file?
Q7 - How do I change the playback quality on a video?
Q8 - When will my uploaded video finish processing?
Q9 - Students are watching my videos, but Kaltura analytics says they are not.
Answers
A1 - What should I do if the My Upload page says that there was an error when publishing my media?
- Check to see if the file type meets these requirements:
- File Formats:
- Video: FLV, F4V, MOV, MP4, QT, M4V, AVI, 3GP, ASF, WMV, MPG, M1V, M2V, MKV, Ogg, RM, and WEB
- Audio: MP3, MP1, AC3, AAC, Vorbis, AMR, PCM, WMA7/8/9, WMSpeech, FLAC, QDM2, RA, Nellymoser, Cook, GSM, and SPEEX
- Make sure you are on a strong Internet connection. If your device has a weak Wi-Fi signal you may experience problems. Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi for faster speeds.
- Back to questions
A2 - Why isn't Kaltura loading? I can't see anything!
A3 - Why doesn't my course have a link for Media Gallery?
A4 - I uploaded a file to the Media Gallery but it's not showing up!
- If you are a student and cannot see your upload, it probably means that your instructor has enabled "moderate content" within the Media Gallery. This means that student uploads will need to be approved by the instructor before they become visible to the rest of the class. You can visit My Media to see your previous uploads and verify that your media was uploaded successfully.
- Back to questions
A5 - I want to use a piece of media in another course. Do I need to upload the file a second time?
- No! When adding media to a course, you will have the opportunity to re-submit a past upload without needing to upload a second time.
- Back to questions
A6 - I want to share ownership of my video with another user.
-or-
I want to use my former student's upload in my current course. How do I access their file?
A7 - How do I change the playback quality on a video?
- Kaltura adjusts the quality of video playback depending on the quality of the viewer's Internet connection. For example, a video will look much better on a stable hardwired Internet connection compared to a wi-fi connection with low signal.
- Back to questions
A8 - When will my uploaded video finish processing?
- Processing time will vary depending on a number of factors, including the length of video and the amount of load on Kaltura's servers. As a general rule, videos should not take longer than 24 hours to process.
- Back to questions
A9 - Students are watching my videos, but Kaltura analytics says they are not.
- If a person is using an ad-blocker or similar tool, analytics might not be captured. To ensure that views are being tracked, the user should whitelist "analytics.kaltura.com"
- Back to questions
Further Readings
Kaltura Capture: Getting Started
Kaltura: Media Gallery Overview
Kaltura: MediaSpace Overview
Kaltura: My Media Overview
UNH Kaltura Classroom: Getting Started
Canvas: Enable external course tools
Kaltura: Uploading or Creating Media
Kaltura: Downloading Media to Your Computer
Kaltura: Sharing Media, Collaboration, and Changing Ownership
Kaltura: Creating Video/Audio Assignment within Canvas
Kaltura: Creating Interactive Video Quizzes in Canvas (myCourses)
Kaltura: Embedding Video and Audio into Canvas (MyCourses)
Kaltura: Service Health
Kaltura player browser support
Need additional help?
Please fill out the Lecture Capture web form with as much information as possible, or contact the Technology Help Desk on your local campus.