How do I record a video in my browser to embed in the Rich Content Editor?

When using the Rich Content Editor to add content in Canvas, you can record a video in your browser and embed it in the editor. This allows you to quickly create and add video in tools such as Modules, Assignments, and Discussions.

The Record in Browser feature supports screen sharing. When you share screen, two videos will be recorded: one from your screen and one from your webcam. When the finished recording is played, the video from the screen appears in a larger background window by default, and the video from the webcam appears in a smaller picture-in-picture window in the lower-right corner of the player. Each viewer will be able to change how the two videos display to them during playback.

Tips:

Go to the page where you will embed the video.

Screenshot of a Canvas page described below.

The Rich Content Editor is available on most pages in Canvas where text can be added. For example, you may use the editor to create a page in Modules, create or submit an assignment, or make a discussion post.

Pictured above is where an instructor can find the Edit button on a course Welcome page to add an introductory video to that page.

Position your cursor in the editor.

Screenshot example of the editor with text and an arrow pointing out the cursor.

Position your cursor where you want to embed the video.

Tip: It is recommended to add some text in the editor above the video to give it context.

Select Embed Kaltura Media.

Screenshot of the editor's toolbar with the button outlined.

Select the Embed Kaltura Media (or Embed Kaltura Media McIntire Commerce) button in the editor's toolbar. The button looks like a multicolored sun.

Note: If the Embed Kaltura Media button does not appear in the editor's toolbar, you can find the option by following the steps in How do I select content from an external app in the Rich Content Editor? (opens new window).

Select Add New, then Record in Browser.

Screenshot of Embed Kaltura Media window.

In the Embed Kaltura Media window:

  1. Select Add New.
  2. Select Record in Browser.

Allow the use of your camera and microphone.

Screenshot of a prompt saying canvas.its.virginia.edu wants to use your cameras and microphone.

You may be prompted in your browser to allow the recorder to use your cameras and microphone. If prompted, select one of the options to Allow it, for example, Allow while visiting the site. The appearance of this dialog and text of the options may differ depending on your browser. Pictured above is the prompt in Chrome.

Enable screen sharing. (Optional)

Toggle on the ScreenShare option.

Annotated screenshot of steps.

If you would like to share your screen in your recording:

  1. Select the Screen Share Settings (monitor with a slash through it) button.
  2. Select the ScreenShare toggle to set it to on.

Choose what to share.

Screenshot of Chrome sharing tab.

A browser dialog will pop up asking you to choose a browser tab, window, or the entire screen to share. The appearance of this dialog and text of the options may differ depending on your browser. Pictured above is the dialog in Chrome.

  1. Select the desired item to share.
  2. Select Share.

Note: When you share screen, two videos will be recorded: one from your screen and one from your webcam.

When the finished recording is played, the video from the screen appears in a larger background window by default, and the video from the webcam appears in a smaller picture-in-picture window in the lower-right corner of the player. Each viewer will be able to change how the two videos display to them during playback. For example, the webcam recording can appear in the larger window or the webcam and screen recordings can be played side by side.

Start Recording.

Example of using a webcam with the Start Recording button outlined.

Once you are ready to record, the image from your webcam will appear in the Embed Kaltura Media window. If screen recording is enabled, the screen being shared will display in the background, larger, and the video from the webcam will display in a smaller picture-in-picture window in the lower-right corner of the player.

Select the large, circular Start Recording button.

Stop Recording.

Screenshot of example video with button highlighted.

When you have finished recording, select the Stop Recording button. This button displays a red circle along with the amount of time (in minutes and seconds) in the recording.

Preview the recording.

Example of a video being previewed.

To preview your recording, select Play.

Record Again or Download a Copy. (Optional)

Screenshot pointing out the location of these options.

You may:

  1. Select the Record Again button to start over with the recording. If you select Record Again, your previous recording attempt will not be saved.
  2. Select Download a Copy to save a copy of the video to your computer.

Note: You may need to scroll down in the Embed Kaltura Media window to find these buttons.

Select Use This.

Screenshot pointing out the location of the button.

When you are satisfied with the recording, select Use This.

Note: You may need to scroll down in the Embed Kaltura Media window to find the Use This button.

Wait for the recording to upload.

Screenshot example of messages described below.
  1. Depending on the length of your recording, the upload may take some time to complete. During this time, the upload progress will display on the screen.
  2. When the video is successfully uploaded, an Upload Completed! message will replace the progress bar.

Edit the name and add details as needed.

Name (Required) and Description (Optional)

Screenshot of text fields.
  1. By default, the Name of the recording will be "Video Recording" followed by the date and time when it was recorded, for example, Video Recording - Fri Jan 10 2025 12:31:07 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time). It is recommended that you edit the Name to make your file easy to find in My Media.
  2. Add a Description (Optional).

Tags and Publishing Schedule (Optional)

Screenshot of options.
  1. Add Tags for searching (Optional).
  2. By default, the video will Always be available to viewers on the page where it is embedded. To restrict when viewers can play the video to specific dates and times, change the Publishing Schedule to Specific Time Frame. For additional details, see How do I schedule a file's availability in Media Gallery? (opens new window).

Note: As the video's owner, you will always be able to play your video even if its Publishing Schedule is restricted. Anyone you add on the video as a Collaborator (Co-Publisher, Co-Editor, or Co-Viewer) will also be able to play it at any time.

Embed the video.

You may either embed the video with the default player settings, or edit the settings before embedding it to customize the player.

To use the default settings, select Save and Embed.

Screenshot showing the button's location.

The default video player is a Player with Transcript with a Max Embed Size of 720x450.

Near the upper-right corner of the Embed Kaltura Media window, select Save and Embed to confirm embedding the video with these settings. Skip to the steps for viewing the embedded recording.

To modify the player settings, select Embed Settings.

Screenshot showing the button's location.

Select the Embed Settings (cog) button to be able to select the type of player to use for embedding the video. For example, you will be able to choose whether or not to have a transcript displayed once the video is captioned, and the size of the embedded video player.

Select settings, then Embed.

Screenshot of Embed Settings page.
  1. You will be taken to a page to choose your settings. Change these settings as desired.
  2. Select Embed to confirm embedding the video.

Tip: Embedding a Video Player with Transcript is recommended for accessibility. For more information, see How can I use a transcript in Media Gallery? (opens new window).

Note:

  • By default, the checkbox Set as my default settings for media type: Video will be selected. Keeping this box checked will change your default embed settings for videos to the settings you select.
  • If you select the Video Downloads Enabled Player, anyone who plays the video will be able to download the video, its audio transcript(s) (once captions are added), and any files you attach to it. If you have chosen to record your screen, viewers will be able to download the screen and webcam recordings as separate files.

Wait for the recording to process.

Screenshot of message.

It may take some time for your recording to process. If it does, a Media is being processed message will appear in the editor where your video will be embedded.

Preview the video.

Screenshot of example video in the editor.

When the recording is done processing, it will appear in the editor. Select Play to preview it.

Save or submit your work.

After you have finished adding content, be sure to save or submit your work.

Add captions for accessibility.

Don't forget to follow the steps to request captions in My Media (opens new window) to make your video accessible!