Source: https://mindstamp.com/help/what-kind-of-videos-can-i-use-in-mindstamp
Generated from the Help Center records: 2026-10-06

# What kinds of video can I use in Mindstamp?

Topic: [Videos and playback](https://mindstamp.com/help/videos) · Updated: 2026-10-05

## Short answer

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.

## Steps

1. In the side menu, select **New video**.
2. Under **Source**, select how the video gets to Mindstamp: **Upload**, a platform, a connected app, or **Stock**.
3. For **Upload**, drop one file into the upload box. The editor opens as soon as the upload starts, and the upload continues in the background.
4. For **Link**, paste a public MP4 or HLS (.m3u8) address that does not expire. Mindstamp checks the link and shows **Link works** before you can create the video.
5. For **Synthesia** or **HeyGen**, connect your account first. The source list shows **Connect** next to an app that is not connected yet.
6. Play the video in the editor and check the picture, sound and length before you add interactions.

![New video page in Mindstamp with Upload and the video platform sources Link, YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, JWPlayer and Kaltura highlighted](https://cdn.mindstamp.com/website2026/help/getting-started-new-video-sources.webp)

_Start a video from a file upload or from a video you already host._

![Upload panel on the Mindstamp New video page, with the note that lists supported formats and the file size limit highlighted](https://cdn.mindstamp.com/website2026/help/video-upload-file-size-note.webp)

_The note under the upload area shows the formats you can upload and the file size limit for your plan._

## Sources on the New video page

- **Upload**: a file from your computer. Mindstamp hosts it and streams it with adaptive quality.
- **Link**: a direct MP4 or HLS file on storage you control, such as Amazon S3. See [self-hosting a video](https://mindstamp.com/help/self-hosting-101-what-does-it-mean-to-self-host-videos-on-mindstamp).
- **YouTube**: for testing only. See [Can I use YouTube videos?](https://mindstamp.com/help/can-i-use-youtube-videos)
- **Vimeo**: paste the direct HLS or 1080p MP4 file link for the video, not the address of the Vimeo page.
- **Wistia**, **JW Player** and **Kaltura**: paste the link to the video.
- **Synthesia** and **HeyGen**: import AI-generated videos from a connected account.
- **Stock**: search a stock video library, which is useful to try an idea before your own footage is ready.

## Finish the edit before you add the video

Mindstamp does not trim, cut or join video files. Edit the file in a video editor first. If you must change the file later, [replace the source](https://mindstamp.com/help/replace-video-file) and your interactions stay in place.

Landscape, portrait and square videos all work. For phone-first video, read [vertical 9:16 videos](https://mindstamp.com/help/vertical-9-16-videos).

## Limits to check

- Length and file size depend on your plan. See [maximum video length and file size](https://mindstamp.com/help/maximum-video-length-and-file-size).
- Each video you create counts toward the number of videos your plan holds in the library. See [what counts as a video](https://mindstamp.com/help/what-counts-as-a-video).
- Transcripts and **Download source** work only for uploaded videos and MP4 links.

## Go further

- [New Video tutorial](https://mindstamp.com/tutorials/new-video)
- [Vimeo integration](https://mindstamp.com/integrations/vimeo)

## Related answers

- [Can I use YouTube videos in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/can-i-use-youtube-videos)
- [What is the maximum video length and file size?](https://mindstamp.com/help/maximum-video-length-and-file-size)
- [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)
- [Can I trim a video or combine clips in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/trim-or-combine-video-clips)

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