This information applies only to the Ultra Course View.
System administrators can find information for settings and configuration on the Video Studio page for Administrators.
Video Studio is an audio/video tool allowing you to view audio and video recordings. You can create an add your own Video Studio recordings within Discussion topics.
Video Studio requires a premium license. To learn whether you have access, contact your Blackboard administrator.
On this page, learn to:
- Use Video Studio
- Access Recordings
- 360° videos: linking from desktop to virtual reality headset
- Edit captions and transcripts
- Skip forward or backward in a recording
- Download recording transcripts
Using Video Studio
Add a recording
Students can add Video Studio recordings to Discussion topics. When you make a post in discussions, you can create audio and video files from a camera, audio recording, or from screen recordings. You can also upload audio and video files. Video Studio also has the capability to upload 360° videos that can pan to the left or right.
- In a Discussion topic. In the Rich Text Editor ,select the camera button to add Video Studio content.
In an Audio/Video content block, options include:
- Camera
- Audio
- Screen
- Audio & Screen
- Upload from device
You can select the device used to record video and audio. By selecting the dropdown menu options for camera, mic, and screen, you can choose from any connected devices on your computer.
If you are creating a recording, select Start Recording. There is a three second countdown before recording begins. You can pause, resume, retake, or end the recording as needed.
After you end the recording, the uploading process begins. During this time, you can preview the result, edit the title, and add a description. Select Save to add the audio or video into the document.
You can edit the title of a recording or uploaded file after it is saved to the document. Select the pencil icon from the top left of the video block.
After selecting the pencil icon, the previously uploaded video displays in the Upload Video screen. You can edit your title.
Retry a failed video upload
If you upload a file in Video Studio and the upload fails, you can select Retry upload at the top right corner of the screen or Retry next to the Upload process bar.
For administrators: These new video capabilities require a license for Video Studio. The videos created using Video Studio will not count towards your existing storage entitlement. The following existing privileges are used for the Video Studio solution:
- Course/Organization (Content Areas) > Create Materials: To create videos. Includes all operations like save, finish, check Video upload Status. Not needed for playback.
- Course/Organization (Content Areas) > Delete Materials: To delete videos.
Specifications
For the best experience using Video Studio, follow these specifications:
- Recording duration: Videos recorded directly with Video Studio have a maximum duration of 20 minutes. However, there is no length limit for videos uploaded from other sources.
- Streaming quality: The player supports both HD (1080p, 8Mbps) and SD (480p, 1Mbps) streaming. It utilizes adaptive streaming technology to automatically adjust video quality based on the viewer’s internet speed, ensuring smooth playback with the best possible quality.
- Upload file size limit: The maximum upload size for videos is 10GB.
- Supported file formats: The player recognizes a wide range of file extensions, including:
- Video: .mp4, .mov, .avi, .mkv, .wmv, .flv, .webm, .3gp, .m4v, .mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .ts
- Audio: .mp3, .m4a, .wav, .ogg, .flac, .opus, .weba, .aac
Access a Video Studio recording
To access a Video Studio audio or video recording, simply select inside of the recording screen to play the recording. Users navigating with a keyboard can select tab until you focus on the recording screen. Then select enter.
If your instructor has included a 360° video, you can pan left and right within the video. You can pan within the video using a navigation aid that displays as a shaded circle on the top left corner of the recording. For keyboard navigation, you can also use the W, A, S, D keys.
360° videos: linking from desktop to virtual reality headset
Video Studio has a straightforward process for linking from a desktop to virtual reality headset.
[note important icon]: Please consult your VR headset operating instructions prior to use. Some users may experience motion sickness, dizziness, or mild discomfort when using VR headsets. In rare cases, individuals sensitive to flashing lights may be at risk of seizures. Taking regular breaks and following safety guidelines can help ensure a comfortable experience.
To view a 360° video in a VR headset:
1. Ensure you are viewing a 360° video in a browser (mobile or desktop).
2. Below the video, select Connect VR.
3. A Connect to VR headset overlay appears on the screen. Keep this onscreen as a code will need to be entered into the input box.
4. Place your headset on and, using the headsets browser, visit the URL shown onscreen in step 3.
5. A 6-digit code will appear in your headset’s browser. Type this 6-digit code into the overlay on your desktop or mobile browser.
6. Once you receive confirmation on the screen that the code is correct, put your headset back on. The VR headset automatically progresses to show the video.
7. You may need to select View Immersive below the video or Enter VR on your headset’s browser.
8. Consume the immersive content on the headset.
9. You can continue to navigate around Blackboard or view other available immersive content from the headset.
10. Once you have finished with the headset, make sure that you logout. This can be done by navigating to logout in the headset or selecting Sign out of VR headset on your mobile or desktop overlay shown in step 3.
Control display of captions and transcript
In Video Studio, you can control the display of captions and transcription.
Video Studio makes recordings more accessible by automatically displaying captions. To accommodate diverse learner preferences, individual users turn captions on or off. For example, you can close the auto-generated captions if they do not want to view them. To turn off captions, select the captions button next to the progress bar at the bottom of the video.
Video Studio also automatically generates a transcript for created or uploaded recordings. As with captions, you can control the display of the transcript.
To view the transcript, select the transcript button next to the progress bar at the bottom of the video.
You can view the transcript in-line and in full screen in documents when videos are displayed three and four columns wide. When videos are one to two columns wide, the transcript displays in full screen.
Access transcripts for one-quarter sized recordings
When user opens a Video Studio recording that is one-quarter size, a button that says View Transcript is displayed below the recording.
Selecting View Transcript opens a modal window containing the recording transcript in read-only mode. The transcript editing functionality is unchanged for a recording displayed at one-quarter size of the default full width.
Skip forward or backward in a recording
A user isn’t able to skip forward or backward in a Video Studio recording that is sized at one-quarter size.
You can skip to a specific part of a recording by selecting a time stamp in the transcript. Select a specific timestamp from the transcript, and the recording plays from the corresponding time selected.
For example, when viewing a recorded lecture, you can skip forward to a specific portion of the video. You can also replay any part of the video by selecting the desired timestamp in the transcript.
Download recording transcripts
You can now download transcripts for content created using Video Studio. You can use this to print or highlight the text of recorded content.
- Selected your recorded content and press play.
- Select the transcript button at the bottom corner of the video screen. This opens the transcript panel displaying the text of the transcript.
- Select the download button at the top of transcript column.
The transcript is downloaded as a VTT file that includes time stamps and speaker narration.
