Media FAQ

Should I put my video into a label or a page?

While the embedding process is the same, adding a video to a label will mean it displays as soon as the user clicks on that course page. This can be beneficial if the video is, for example, an introduction to the course or an integral part of the whole course. However, if there are several videos in labels, they can slow the loading of the course down, especially if the videos are coming from an external site. Adding a video to a page in Moodle means that the user has to click a text link to reach the video, but it doesn't clutter up the main course page and it is a better choice if the course contains a large number of videos.

My embedded video is too big/small. How can I change its display size?

• With the editing turned on, click the edit (hand/pen) icon to get into the HMTL editor where you embedded your video.
• Click the HTML code icon:

• You will see the code of your video there.

• For videos you uploaded yourself... Find the file extension (such as flv or wmv) and just after the file extension and before the ", type in ?d=400x300(for example) where 400 and 300 are the width and height in pixels of the display size you wish your video to be:

• For external videos you embedded with embed code...Change the height and width numbers to the size in pixels you wish your video to be:

• Click Update and then, on the next screen, click Save changes. Your video will now display in a different size.

Why is the size and player for MP4 video clips hard coded?

Not sure. If anyone from out there knows, so far they have not let on any reasons. See MDL-43385

Why won't my swf video play?

The .swf format carries with it some security issues and so the filter that allows it to display is disabled by default. For you to be able to add .swf videos, your administrator needs to enable the filter in Multimedia plugins, then to go to Site Administration>Security>Site policies and check the "enable trusted content" box. They then need to go to Site Administration>Users>Permissions>Define roles and allow Trust Submitted content moodle/site:trustcontent for your role. However; swf will still not display in all areas of Moodle, for example forum posts. See this discussion here

How can I convert my video file to an .FLV or other format?

• There are many sites online that allow you to upload a file which will then be converted and sent to you via a link or email. Zamzar [1]or Youconvertit [2] are just two examples.
• However, if it is a large video file or you want to do the conversion off line, then the free Any Video Converter [3] (a downloadable program) will convert most video formats to most others.
• More and more full-featured MTS Video Converter [4]software free download a trial, to solve your problem more format conversions.
• The free and open source video player, VLC has the ability to convert to and from many video formats. For more details and downloads visit their site.
• If you are using Linux as your operating system either ffmpeg or avconv can both convert to FLV.

I have a .wma/wav file. How can I play it in Moodle's player?

• There are various free programs available that will convert one type of sound file to another. If you convert your file to an mp3 then you will be able to use Moodle's built-in mp3 player.
• Jodix Free WMA to MP3 converter [5] is just one example

I have an MP4 file. How can I play it in Moodle's player? (ie Flowplayer)

It seems that the media filter is hard coded to NOT use Flowplayer for MP4.

• See the discussion here: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=208849#p914927. Renaming an MP4 to an FLV seems to create a file that will play in Flowplayer.
• See the discussion here: https://docs.moodle.org/dev/Media_embedding
• See the discussion about how to play mp4 videos in Moodle

You can vote for a change here: MDL-43385

What's the best way to manage/deploy MP4 files in Moodle?

And why bother about this? MP4 is probably the most common format, and it will play on both Flash enabled and disabled devices. It's a common question.

See above. Until we find out more information, it's difficult to get MP4 files into Moodle simply AND playing nicely. ie pick ONE.

1. To play nicely: you need to do complex embedding etc. So it's not simple.
2. To get them in simply: you drag and drop. But then they don' t play nicely, unless you want a small ugly looking product.

The Videofile plugin option

One option is the Videofile plugin.

• Download: https://docs.moodle.org/38/en/Videofile
• About: https://docs.moodle.org/38/en/Videofile

The Re-naming option

ie Don't use MP4's but rename to FLV

The Youtube (etc) repository option

Upload your file to Youtube and link to it.

Possible use of the PooDLL plugin

See discussion here:

?? There may be other options

Please feel free to add.

Can you stop Flowplayer from preloading a video?

• See the discussion here: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=184081