Source: https://mindstamp.com/help/videos
Generated from the Help Center records: 2026-10-05

# Videos and playback

Video sources, uploads, captions, transcripts, and playback problems. 21 answers. Part of the [Mindstamp Help Center](https://mindstamp.com/help).

## [What kinds of video can I use in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/what-kind-of-videos-can-i-use-in-mindstamp)

You can upload a video file (MP4, MOV, WebM and other common formats) or use a video you already host. The New video page lists Upload, Link (a direct MP4 or HLS address), YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, JW Player, Kaltura, Synthesia, HeyGen and Stock. The interactive layer lives in Mindstamp, and your source file does not change.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/what-kind-of-videos-can-i-use-in-mindstamp.md

## [Can I use YouTube videos in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/can-i-use-youtube-videos)

Yes, but only for testing. You can paste a YouTube link to try an idea, but YouTube is not supported for production use. Before you publish, upload the file to Mindstamp or use another supported source, then replace the YouTube source so your interactions stay.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/can-i-use-youtube-videos.md

## [What is the maximum video length and file size?](https://mindstamp.com/help/maximum-video-length-and-file-size)

A video can be up to 8 hours long. On the Basic plan, each video can be up to 30 minutes; Core and higher plans have no plan length limit. The largest file you can upload is 2 GB during the free trial, 5 GB on Basic, 10 GB on Core, and has no limit on Pro and higher plans.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/maximum-video-length-and-file-size.md

## [How do I compress a video to reduce its file size?](https://mindstamp.com/help/video-compression-to-reduce-file-size)

Export an MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, keep the source frame rate, and lower the resolution or bitrate only as far as the content allows. You usually need to compress only when a file is over your plan’s upload limit or takes too long to upload: Mindstamp encodes every uploaded video for adaptive streaming, so viewers get a version sized for their connection.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/video-compression-to-reduce-file-size.md

## [What does it mean to self-host a video for Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/self-hosting-101-what-does-it-mean-to-self-host-videos-on-mindstamp)

Self-hosting means the video file stays on storage you control, such as Amazon S3 or your own server, and Mindstamp plays it from that address. Add it with the Link source: paste a public MP4 or HLS (.m3u8) link that does not expire. Your interactions, settings and reports still live in Mindstamp.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/self-hosting-101-what-does-it-mean-to-self-host-videos-on-mindstamp.md

## [What is HLS, and how is it different from MP4?](https://mindstamp.com/help/what-is-http-live-streaming-hls-how-is-it-different-from-mp4)

MP4 is a single video file. HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) splits a video into short segments at several quality levels and lists them in a playlist file (.m3u8). The player picks the quality that fits the viewer’s connection and screen, and changes it during playback. Mindstamp streams uploaded videos with HLS, and it can also play an MP4 or HLS link that you host.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/what-is-http-live-streaming-hls-how-is-it-different-from-mp4.md

## [Why is my video blurry, and how does adaptive streaming work?](https://mindstamp.com/help/why-is-my-video-blurry-how-does-adaptive-streaming-work)

Mindstamp streams uploaded videos with adaptive quality, so playback can start at a lower quality and get sharper after a few seconds. If the video stays blurry, check the resolution of the source file, the viewer’s connection, and the Quality option in the player’s Settings menu.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/why-is-my-video-blurry-how-does-adaptive-streaming-work.md

## [Why am I getting a video playback error?](https://mindstamp.com/help/im-getting-a-playback-error-why)

The message This video could not play means the player could not load the video source. Reload the page first. If it still fails, check that the source is still available, test in a private window and on another network, and send support the reference code shown under the message.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/im-getting-a-playback-error-why.md

## [What do I do if my video will not upload or process?](https://mindstamp.com/help/upload-or-processing-problems)

Most upload problems come from the file (too large for your plan, or not a video), the connection, or a full video library. Check those first. If the upload or processing still fails, send support the video link, source type, browser, device, time and exact error text so the team can find the cause.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/upload-or-processing-problems.md

## [How do I replace the video file without losing my interactions?](https://mindstamp.com/help/replace-video-file)

Open the video, go to More and select Replace source video, then upload or link the new file. Your interactions, timings, settings, share link and embed code stay the same, so you do not need to send a new link or change an embed. The change is live for the next viewing session.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/replace-video-file.md

## [Can I trim a video or combine clips in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/trim-or-combine-video-clips)

No. Mindstamp does not edit the video file, so you cannot trim, cut or join clips in it. Edit the file in a video editor, then upload it or replace the source. To skip part of a video or play one video after another, use Change Time and Switch Video interactions.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/trim-or-combine-video-clips.md

## [Why can’t I download my Mindstamp video?](https://mindstamp.com/help/why-cant-i-download-my-mindstamp-videos)

A Mindstamp video is an interactive experience that runs in the Mindstamp player, so you cannot download it as one video file or play it in another player such as YouTube or Vimeo. You can download the original source file from More > Download source, and you can download an offline package from the Share page to run the experience without internet.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/why-cant-i-download-my-mindstamp-videos.md

## [Does Mindstamp support vertical 9:16 videos?](https://mindstamp.com/help/vertical-9-16-videos)

Yes. Upload or link a 9:16 portrait video the same way as a landscape video, and add interactions as usual. The editor sizes new buttons and text for a portrait frame. When you embed it, change the responsive embed code from a 16:9 frame to a 9:16 frame so the frame fits the video.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/vertical-9-16-videos.md

## [Does Mindstamp support 360-degree or VR video?](https://mindstamp.com/help/360-and-vr-video)

No. Mindstamp does not support 360-degree video, virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences. The player shows standard flat video, in landscape, portrait or square format.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/360-and-vr-video.md

## [How do I add closed captions or subtitles to a video?](https://mindstamp.com/help/how-do-i-create-a-video-with-closed-captions)

Open the video, go to Captions and select Add Caption to upload a VTT or SRT file for a language. You can also create a transcript on the Transcript page, and Mindstamp adds an English caption track for you. Viewers turn captions on in the player, and you can set a default track that is on when the video starts.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/how-do-i-create-a-video-with-closed-captions.md

## [How do video transcripts work in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/video-transcripts)

A transcript is the text of everything said in your video, with times. Create it on the video’s Transcript page. Viewers can read and search it beside the player and select a line to jump to that moment, and Mindstamp uses it to make an English caption track. Transcripts are on every plan, for uploaded videos and MP4 links.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/video-transcripts.md

## [Why can’t my video go fullscreen?](https://mindstamp.com/help/why-cant-my-video-go-fullscreen)

On iPhone, Apple allows only a plain video to go fullscreen, not a player with interactions on top of it. Fullscreen would remove your buttons, questions and hotspots, so the Mindstamp player hides the fullscreen button on iPhone and some iPads. On other devices, fullscreen usually fails because the embed code does not allow it.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/why-cant-my-video-go-fullscreen.md

## [What browsers and devices does Mindstamp work on?](https://mindstamp.com/help/what-browsers-does-mindstamp-support-and-recommend)

Chrome is the recommended browser. Current versions of Edge, Safari and Firefox also work. Viewers can watch Mindstamp videos in any of them on a computer, phone or tablet, with full interactivity and tracking. They do not need an app or an account. Offline packages are the exception: they need Chrome or Edge on a Windows or Mac computer.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/what-browsers-does-mindstamp-support-and-recommend.md

## [What is a video clip in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/whats-a-video-clip)

A Video Clip is a short video that plays inside your main video. At the clip’s time, the main video pauses and the clip plays; when the clip ends, the main video continues. Clips come from your asset library, where you upload or record them, and they do not count as separate videos in your library.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/whats-a-video-clip.md

## [What is an audio clip in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/whats-an-audio-clip)

An Audio Clip plays a sound or short narration inside your video. At the clip’s time, the main video pauses and the audio plays; when it ends, the video continues. Upload audio or record it in the browser, and it is saved in your asset library for reuse.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/whats-an-audio-clip.md

## [Why can’t I record a video or audio clip?](https://mindstamp.com/help/why-cant-i-record-video-or-audio-clips)

Recording needs your browser’s permission to use the camera or microphone, a secure (HTTPS) page, and a device that no other app is using. If you see Camera or microphone access was denied or Microphone access was denied, allow access in the browser’s site settings, then select Try Again.

Markdown: https://mindstamp.com/markdown/help/why-cant-i-record-video-or-audio-clips.md

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