Videos
Upload video files and they play directly on your displays. Videos stream from BrandCast’s servers so playback starts right away — no waiting for the full file to download to the display device first.
Note: This page covers uploading video files to your media library. If you want to embed a YouTube or Vimeo URL on a display, see Video Embed instead — that’s a separate content type under Content Hub > Add New > Video.
Supported formats
Section titled “Supported formats”| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| MP4 (H.264) | Recommended — works on virtually all devices |
| MP4 (H.265) | Good quality, smaller files, best on newer devices |
| WebM | Good compatibility on most modern displays |
| MOV | Automatically converted on upload |
Tip: MP4 with H.264 is the safest choice if you’re not sure what your display device supports.
Uploading a video
Section titled “Uploading a video”- Go to Content > Media tab.
- Click Add and select Upload Files.
- Select your video file — drag and drop, or click to browse.
- Wait for processing to complete. Longer videos take more time.
- Once uploaded, add the video to a Slideshow or use it directly in a layout zone.
| Video length | Typical processing time |
|---|---|
| Under 1 minute | 1–2 minutes |
| 1–5 minutes | 2–5 minutes |
| 5–30 minutes | 5–15 minutes |
Playback settings
Section titled “Playback settings”Loop — The video restarts automatically when it finishes. Great for ambient background content.
Mute — Plays the video without sound. Recommended for most retail and public environments.
Duration — When adding a video to a playlist, set the duration to match the video length. If you set it shorter, playback will cut off before the end.
Consider your environment before enabling audio. Unexpected sound can be disruptive in retail spaces and shared areas.
Mute works well for background or ambient video. Enable audio when the video content is specifically meant to be heard — training materials, waiting room messaging, or dedicated announcement screens.
Resolution tips
Section titled “Resolution tips”Match your video resolution to your display:
| Display | Video resolution |
|---|---|
| Standard 1080p screen | 1920×1080 or 1280×720 |
| Portrait display | 1080×1920 |
| 4K screen | 3840×2160 or 1920×1080 |
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”Video won’t upload. Check that the file format is supported. Verify your internet connection is stable. If the file is very large, try re-encoding it at a lower bitrate before uploading.
Video won’t play on the display. Confirm processing has finished — the content item shows a “Ready” status when it’s playable. If processing failed, try re-uploading.
Video quality looks poor. Use a higher-bitrate source file. Avoid re-encoding an already-compressed video, as quality loss compounds. Start from the original source if possible.
Video stutters or freezes. Try a lower resolution or bitrate version of the video. Check the display device’s internet connection, as slow connections can interrupt streaming.
No audio. Verify the mute setting is off in the content settings. Also check that the display device’s audio output is connected and not system-muted.