Canvas: Add Media Using Kaltura

In this article, users in Canvas courses will access instructions on different methods of adding, uploading, and embedding media (video and audio recordings) using Kaltura in the Canvas Rich Content Editor.

To publish all Kaltura videos within a Canvas course in one specific searchable area, read Canvas: Add, Remove, and Import Videos in the Media Gallery.

Note about transcript viewer: Starting in August 2024, the Kaltura player has a transcript viewer in the upper right which is available by default, with some exceptions. For an example of a recording and player with the transcript viewer, refer to this Kaltura v7 Player Example.

In this article:

• Adding Media Using Kaltura in the Rich Content Editor
  • Access the Canvas Rich Content Editor
  • Uploading Media
  • Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Default Settings
  • Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Custom Settings
  • Embedding an Existing Media Gallery Playlist
  • Recording in Your Browser
  • Adding a Video from YouTube
• Embedding Audio-Only Recordings
• Additional Resources

Adding Media Using Kaltura in the Canvas Rich Content Editor

Access the Canvas Rich Content Editor

As a part of Kaltura in Canvas, users in Canvas courses can use the Rich Content Editor's Add Media Using Kaltura feature to add media (video and audio recordings) to a page, discussion, or assignment.

1. Go to the Canvas Page, Assignment, quiz question, or other area where you want to add Kaltura media and select Edit. This will open the Canvas Rich Content Editor.
2. Select the Add Media Using Kaltura button to open a new window.

3. In the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, users can select from multiple paths. 

For instructions about each option, read the information below.

Uploading Media

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select Upload Media.
2. Drag and drop a file or select Choose a file to upload. 
   
3. Click </> Embed at the top of the page. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your new recording will appear.
4. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Note: To change the name or other settings about the uploaded file, refer to the article Canvas: Upload to and Manage My Media (Kaltura).

Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Default Settings

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select More Media Options to open your Kaltura My Media library.
2. Select </> Embed to the right of the desired media. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your recording will appear. 
   
   Note: By default, viewers will be able to open a searchable transcript viewer beside your embedded media, and they cannot download a copy of the recording. The main exception to this default is when embedding Kaltura Video Quizzes, which will not include the transcript or chapter navigation by default. If you wish to change these behaviors, follow the Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Custom Settings steps below.
3. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Custom Settings 

First, follow the steps to create a Media Gallery playlist. Once you have a playlist created:

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select More Media Options to open your Kaltura My Media library.
2. Select the Embed Settings icon gear  to the right of the desired media. The Embed Settings page opens.
3. Under Embed Settings:
   • Select an option from the Choose Player dropdown.
     
   1. Download disabled (default): Your embedded media will allow viewers to open a searchable transcript viewer beside your embedded media.
   2. Download enabled: Your embedded media will allow viewers to download a copy of your media in addition to being able to open and search the transcript.

Note: Kaltura Video Quizzes and YouTube videos in Kaltura will not be downloadable.

3. Transcript and chapter navigation disabled: Your embedded media will appear without the transcript viewer and chapter navigation options. This option reduces the embedded media's alignment with universal design principles. Use it only when pedagogically necessary.

• Select your preferred Max Embed Size.
• Optional: Check the box next to Start at and enter a specific start time.
• Consider unchecking the checkbox next to Set as my default settings for media type:
  
• Leaving the box checked sets all your current selections (except for any start time selections you have made) as the new default settings for that type of media when you embed using Add Media Using Kaltura.

4. Select </> Embed at the top right of the Embed Settings window. 
5. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor window re-opens, and your newly embedded media appears in it.

6. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Embedding an Existing Media Gallery Playlist

To embed a playlist, users must first create a Media Gallery Playlist following the instructions in the article Canvas: Manage and Moderate Kaltura Media Gallery. After your playlist is created continue with the steps below.

1. Return to the Add Media Using Kaltura options page.
2. Select More Media Options.
3. Select the Media Gallery Playlists tab.
4. To use the default embed settings, select </> Embed to the right of the desired playlist. By default, viewers will be able to view a searchable transcript viewer beside your embedded media, and cannot download a copy of the media.

or

4. To customize the playlist embed settings, select the Embed Settings icon gear  to the left of the Embed button. The Embed Settings page opens.

• Select one of the following Choose Player options from the Embed Settings window:

1. Download disabled (default)
2. Download enabled
3. Transcript and chapter navigation disabled

• Note: Consider unchecking Set as my default settings for media type: Channel playlists. Leaving the box checked sets all your current selections as the new defaults for the next time you embed a Media Gallery playlist using Add Media Using Kaltura.

• Select </> Embed at the top right of the Embed Settings window.
• You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your newly embedded playlist appears in it.

5. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Recording in Your Browser

This recording method is intended for making recordings that are shorter than 10 minutes. For more information, refer to the article Canvas: Use Your Computer's Webcam to Record a New Video with Kaltura. For more details about other recording options, consult the Compare Video Recording Tools resource page.

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options page, select Record in Browser.
2. After you finish your recording, select Use This.
   • Your recording will upload to Kaltura, and an Upload Completed! message will appear.
3. Select </> Embed. 
4. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your new recording will appear.
5. In the Rich Content Editor, select Save.

If you choose to post this media in the course Media Gallery in addition to your course, the title will appear to viewers as the date and time it was recorded, for example: Video Recording - Fri Apr 18 2025 14:16:23 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time). If you wish to change the name, description, or other information, follow the instructions in the article Canvas: Upload to and Manage My Media (Kaltura).

Adding a Video from YouTube

1. In the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select Add from YouTube.
   • Important note: YouTube videos in Kaltura receive new auto-generated captions that you must edit. For instructions on these steps, visit the article Kaltura: Connect to YouTube Videos.
2. Paste a link to a YouTube video.
3. Select Preview. The video preview will appear in the window.
4. Select </> Embed. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your selected YouTube video will appear.
5. In the Rich Content Editor, select Save.

If you choose to post this media in the course Media Gallery, viewers will see the name and description that were pulled from YouTube when you completed the steps above. If you wish to change the name and description, refer to information and steps for My Media (Kaltura) in Canvas.

Embedding Audio-Only Recordings

When embedding audio recordings using Kaltura, a smaller player window provides a more streamlined appearance.
 

As with the video player, the audio player includes a transcript viewer that is available by default. People who use the audio player can activate the transcript viewer by starting playback, then selecting the More button. The transcript viewer will appear in a pop-up window.

Similar to the video player, when using Add Media Using Kaltura to embed an audio recording in Canvas, you can opt-out of including the transcript viewer, or opt-in to allowing your viewers to download a copy of the recording.

Additional Resources

• The Media Gallery lists all Kaltura videos within a Canvas course in one searchable area. For instructions on how to use the Media Gallery, visit the article Canvas: Add, Remove, and Import Videos in the Media Gallery.
• To group related videos together in a playlist, go to the Using Playlists to Control the Order of Media Added to a Media Gallery section within Manage and Moderate Kaltura Media Galleries. This method is an especially useful way to break longer recordings (such as lectures) into multiple pieces, then group them together.
• For recommendations on good practices for media use within Kaltura, visit the resource page Kaltura: Streamline your process for creating and sharing course videos.