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 is also integrated with Zoom and is used to store Zoom meeting recordings. 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 documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Q1 - 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
Q2 - Why isn't Kaltura loading? I can't see anything!
- Check the list of Recommended Browsers for Kaltura and see if your browser is compatible.
- Update your browser to the latest version.
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!
- 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
Q5 - 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
Q6 - 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?
Q7 - 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
Q8 - 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
Q9 - 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 reading
Kaltura: MediaSpace Overview
Kaltura: Upload or Create Media
Kaltura: Interactive Video Quizzes
Kaltura: Media Gallery
Kaltura: My Media
Kaltura: Embed video and audio into Canvas
Kaltura: Create video/ audio assignment within Canvas
Kaltura: Download Media
Kaltura: Service Health
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.