Monday, July 10, 2023
Welcome to the second part of our in-depth exploration of the advanced features of Voomly's Video Player. In our previous installment, we talked about the creative aspects of customization that Voomly offers, empowering you to make the video player truly your own. We painted a picture with colors, branded it with our unique logos, played around with different player and border skins, and dipped our toes into the engaging world of personalized captions. Furthermore, we navigated the dynamic controls menu, a realm where you were put in the driver's seat of your audience's interaction with your content.
As we transition into this second article, we'll continue our exploration, this time focusing on four essential menus within Voomly's video player that warrant your attention: Subtitles, Interactions, Security, and Video Page. These elements might sound technical, and indeed, they play an important role in the backend of your video production. But don't worry, we're here to guide you through these menus, and by the end of this journey, you'll see just how these features can dramatically enhance your content's reach, interactivity, and protection.
Let's get started!
Before we dig deeper into the process of adding and customizing subtitles in the Voomly Video Player, let's take a step back and explore what subtitles are and why they are a crucial part of any video content. Subtitles, in their simplest form, are the text-based representation of the audio content in a video. They appear on-screen, typically at the bottom, and relay to the viewers what is being said, often in real-time. While this may seem like a simple addition, the implications of incorporating subtitles into your videos are profound.
The answer is twofold. First, subtitles increase the accessibility of your content. Not all viewers may be able to understand the audio due to varying factors, such as a hearing impairment, low audio quality, a noisy viewing environment, or language barriers. By incorporating subtitles, you ensure these audiences can also enjoy and benefit from your content.
The second reason is engagement. Studies have shown that subtitled videos consistently have higher viewer engagement and retention rates. This is because subtitles facilitate a better understanding of the content, especially when dealing with complex topics or fast speech.
As a result, when you add subtitles to your Voomly videos, you are making a conscious choice to improve your viewer's experience, expand your reach, and increase your content's effectiveness. The provision of subtitles shows your commitment to inclusivity, respect for your audience, and attention to detail, all of which can contribute to your brand's positive image.
With the importance of subtitles established, let's now turn our attention to the technical aspects, specifically, subtitle formats. Different platforms support different subtitle file types, and understanding these can greatly streamline your subtitling process.
There's an array of subtitle formats out there, each with its unique features and uses. Some of the most commonly used ones include SRT (SubRip Text), ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha), VTT (WebVTT), and SSA (SubStation Alpha). They each have their strengths and are used in varying scenarios depending on the complexity required. For instance, ASS and SSA are often used when there's a need for advanced subtitles, with customizable fonts, colors, and positions.
Voomly, with its commitment to user-friendliness and versatility, supports two of the most popular and universally used subtitle formats: SRT (.srt) and Advanced Alpha Station (.aas) files.
SRT, standing for SubRip Text, is one of the most basic yet widely used subtitle formats. It is simple and easy to create or edit using any text editor, making it ideal for most video content. Each SRT file includes a sequence of subtitle groups. Each group has three parts: the subtitle number, the start and end times, and the subtitle text. The timestamps are formatted as "hours:minutes:seconds,milliseconds" and separated by an arrow (-->), denoting the start and end times.
Advanced Alpha Station (.aas) is another common subtitle format. What sets it apart is its capacity for greater customization. With AAS files, you can alter the subtitle's appearance, position, and even include special effects, offering more control over your viewer's experience.
Remember, the goal here is to find the subtitle format that best suits your video content's needs. Voomly's support for both .srt and .aas files empowers you to choose the perfect balance between simplicity and customization.
In the next section, we'll explore how you can generate these subtitle files and how you can incorporate them into your Voomly videos.
While Voomly provides robust support for subtitle integration, you may wonder how to generate subtitle files in the first place. Thankfully, various tools, both online and offline, can help you create subtitles, providing an .srt file or similar format that Voomly can utilize. Here are three options to get you started:
There could be situations where you have existing subtitle text that isn't in an .srt format, much like the transcripts you'd extract from YouTube. Don't worry; converting your text to an SRT file is simple, straightforward, and doesn't require any special software. You can create an .srt file using a basic text editor such as Notepad or TextEdit.
Here's how you do it:
- A sequential number starting with 1
- Two timecodes indicating when the subtitle should appear and disappear (start and end times), and
- The text of the subtitle itself
Each group is separated by a blank line. The timecodes follow the format of hours:minutes:seconds,milliseconds with the seconds and milliseconds separated by a comma. For instance, 01:07:32,053 signifies a time of one hour, seven minutes, 32 seconds, and 53 milliseconds after the beginning of the media.
For example:
1
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:09,000
This is your first subtitle.
2
00:00:10,500 --> 00:00:15,000
And here is another one!
3
00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:25,000
This process continues for each segment of dialogue.
And there you have it! Your text is now saved in an .srt format, ready to be imported into Voomly and provide your audience with a more engaging and accessible viewing experience.
Now that we have our .srt file, let's proceed to the next step - importing it into Voomly. The process is as simple as a few clicks.
Here's how you do it:
1. Navigating to the Subtitles Menu.
Start by opening your desired video in Voomly. From the player settings menu, look for the option labeled 'Subtitles.' Clicking this will open the Subtitles menu on the right side of your screen.
2. Adding Language and Importing the SRT File.
In the Subtitles menu, click on 'Add Language.' A drop-down list will appear for you to select the language that matches your subtitle. After choosing the appropriate language, you will be prompted to select the .srt file from your laptop or computer. Simply locate and select your file to import it.
3. Enabling the Subtitles.
After successfully importing your .srt file, you will notice a new toggle switch appearing in the Subtitles menu bearing the name of your selected language. To enable your subtitles, simply switch this toggle on. Once activated, the Closed Caption (CC) option will appear on your video player.
4. Accessing Your Subtitles.
For your viewers to access the subtitles, they will need to click on the 'cc' option from the video player menu and select the language or title of your imported subtitle.
Now that we have completed our detailed exploration of the Subtitles Menu, let's dive into our next focus point - the Interactions Menu.
The Interactions Menu is a powerful feature in Voomly that essentially acts as the heart of your call-to-action strategy, directly influencing viewer engagement and interaction within your videos.
Within this versatile menu, you'll find eight unique categories, each designed with a specific interaction in mind:
Operating these interactive features is simple, intuitive, and efficient. All you need to do is drag and drop any of these interactions onto your video timeline, positioning them exactly where you want the interaction to occur.
Let's look into each menu and understand how they can be utilized effectively in your Voomly video, starting with the Button interaction.
One of the most versatile and useful tools within the Interactions Menu is the "Button" feature. Adding a button to your video instantly introduces an interactive element to your content, drawing the viewer in and inviting them to take action. When you select and drag this feature onto your timeline, it initially presents as a clickable blue rectangle box bearing the word "Button." This, however, is just the beginning of your customization journey.
This seemingly simple blue box can be molded into a powerful tool for viewer engagement. First and foremost, you can change the default text "Button" to any call-to-action phrase you deem fit, adding a personal touch and specificity to your viewer prompts. This button is not merely a decorative feature; it is entirely functional and is meant to trigger an action when clicked. You can tailor this functionality to your needs, setting it to either do nothing, unpause a video, open a URL, or close a video (especially useful for modal windows).
Beyond the text and functionality, the aesthetic aspects of your button can be fully customized to align with your video's theme or your brand identity. You can alter the font size and style, adjust opacity, round the corners of the box, or even add a border to it.
The power of a well-placed, well-timed button in a video can never be underestimated. Buttons are interactive, and when used effectively, they can guide the viewer journey, encourage viewers to engage with your content in a meaningful way, and even drive them towards your desired action - whether it be visiting a website, checking out a product, or simply continuing to engage with the video. In the realm of digital content, interactivity is king, and the button feature provides exactly that. Here are some of the purposes and usage of the button interaction.
Viewer Engagement: Buttons serve to boost viewer engagement by introducing an interactive element to your videos. They transform viewers from passive observers into active participants, thereby making your content more engaging and memorable.
Example: Use a button to pause the video and ask a question related to the content. This promotes active learning and engagement from the viewer.
Call to Action: A button can act as an effective call-to-action (CTA), leading viewers to take the desired action.
Example: A button labeled "Learn More" can lead viewers to a detailed product description page or a related educational resource, depending on the context of the video.
Direct Navigation: Buttons can be used for direct navigation, such as guiding the viewer to your website or another video.
Example: A "Visit Our Website" button can directly transport viewers to your webpage, increasing traffic and potential customer interaction.
When a Button interaction is added to a Voomly video, it can be set to perform a variety of actions upon being clicked:
Each of these actions can be tailored according to the specific needs of your video and the engagement path you intend for your viewers.
Text Interaction is another powerful tool that you can add anywhere on your video screen. It allows you to overlay written words directly onto your videos in Voomly, which can be a game-changer for delivering your message effectively and creatively. The beauty of this feature is that it's unobtrusive - it's merely text without any background or rectangle box, and yet, it can significantly enhance your video's overall impact.
Providing Context: Text overlays can help to provide context or explain something that isn't made clear through the video content alone. This could be useful in tutorials or educational content where you want to highlight specific points or steps.
Example: If you're demonstrating a complex procedure, on-screen text can be used to emphasize crucial steps or instructions.
Emphasizing Key Points: Text can be used to emphasize key points or to reiterate essential information in your video. It's a great tool to reinforce what's being spoken about or shown in the video.
Example: In a product demonstration video, text can highlight the key features of the product being shown.
Increasing Accessibility: On-screen text can also enhance accessibility for viewers who might have difficulty hearing or understanding the spoken language in your videos.
Example: If your video is presented in English, but you have viewers who are more comfortable with Spanish, you can use text overlays in Spanish to ensure they understand the content.
SEO Benefit: Including important keywords in your on-screen text can improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of your video, making it easier for potential viewers to find your content online.
Placement: You can position the text anywhere on the video screen according to the context and aesthetic appeal.
Font Style and Color: The font style and color of the text can be adjusted to align with your brand's color scheme or to contrast with the video background for better visibility.
Alignment and Border: Text alignment can be altered for better composition, and an optional border can be added for increased prominence.
Size Adjustment: The size of the text can be increased or decreased based on the importance of the information it carries and the existing elements in the video frame.
By incorporating Text interaction thoughtfully, you can greatly enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of your Voomly videos.
Annotation in Voomly adds another layer of interaction to your video, opening up opportunities for delivering supplementary information or calls to action without disrupting the viewing experience. Unlike the Button and Text interactions, Annotations have a fixed position at the upper left side of your video screen. Despite this static positioning, Annotations still pack a punch when it comes to boosting viewer engagement and offering additional context to your video content.
Annotations offer a versatile way to enhance your video content, provide additional information, and engage with your viewers in a non-disruptive yet impactful way on Voomly.
These are just a few instances of how annotations can be used effectively in your Voomly videos. The possibilities are endless, and the flexibility of annotations makes them an invaluable tool in your video content strategy.
Image Annotations are another versatile and powerful feature that Voomly provides to enhance your video content. It's a simple yet effective way to incorporate visual cues and information in your videos.
Upon adding an image annotation, by default, it situates itself in the upper left corner of the video screen. The position is fixed and not modifiable, but this doesn't limit the impact it can make.
Image annotations are not just static entities; they can be interactive, making your video more engaging.
Image annotations provide an additional visual layer to your content and help emphasize important points, guide your viewer's attention, or simply enrich the visual experience of your video. Their utility depends solely on how creatively you decide to incorporate them in your videos!
Here are some examples and scenarios where you might find the use of image annotations to be quite beneficial:
Remember, these are just a few examples, and the possibilities with image annotations are as broad as your creativity allows!
Adding another layer of visual appeal and dynamism to your videos, the Image feature on Voomly's Interactions menu brings your content to life in an exciting and personalized way. Much like the Image Annotation feature, the Image tool allows you to incorporate graphic elements into your videos. However, it boasts of two key differences that set it apart.
Firstly, unlike the Image Annotation that is confined to the upper left side of your video screen, the Image tool gives you the freedom to position your selected image anywhere on the video screen. This gives you more flexibility and creative control over how and where you want your images to appear, enabling you to create videos that are truly reflective of your content and style.
Secondly, the Image feature offers an option to dim the background when the image appears in your video. This subtle yet powerful effect helps draw your viewers' attention directly to the image, ensuring your key messages aren't lost amidst the other elements of your video.
Overall, the Image feature is a useful tool to augment the visual richness of your Voomly videos, providing an interactive and engaging experience for your viewers. Whether you're looking to highlight key concepts, showcase your products, or simply add a dash of creativity, the Image tool has got you covered.
Images can be used strategically in your video to further emphasize your points, create breaks in the flow, or draw attention to key aspects of your content.
Remember, while images can greatly enhance your video, they should be used judiciously to avoid clutter and distraction. Always make sure that any image added serves a purpose and enhances the overall viewer experience.
One of the key features of the Voomly video player is the ability to seamlessly share your content across various social media platforms directly from the video player. The 'Share' interaction menu is designed specifically to facilitate this.
When you add the 'Share' interaction to your video, you can enable options for your viewers to share your video via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Moreover, Voomly offers extensive customization options so you can ensure that the share feature aligns with the aesthetics of your video and overall brand identity.
The 'Share' interaction, with its customization options, adds another level of interactivity to your Voomly videos, making it easier for your viewers to share your content and thereby helping you to reach a broader audience.
So, considering all these advantages, it's a good idea to incorporate the 'Share' interaction in your Voomly videos.
Turnstile is an incredibly powerful feature that allows you to collect valuable information about your viewers directly through your video content. By adding this interaction, you essentially add a gate to a portion of your video, compelling viewers to input their details to proceed further.
For this feature to work, you need to have an email provider that allows you to collect email opt-ins. Voomly offers integrations with popular email providers like MailChimp and ActiveCampaign, so ensure you have one of these set up to utilize this feature effectively.
Lastly, everything within the Turnstile interaction is customizable, giving you full control over how it looks and feels. From the labels and prompts to the font styles and colors, you can personalize this feature to match your brand and messaging. Even the prompt that appears when viewers enter an invalid email address can be customized, ensuring a seamless viewer experience.
Chapters offer an interactive table of contents for your video content, making it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. By dividing your video into meaningful segments or chapters, you help your viewers to consume your content in a way that is most convenient for them.
To set up a Chapter in your Voomly video, you just need to provide a title and position the cursor to the corresponding time in your video. This creates a clickable chapter title in your video timeline, making it straightforward for viewers to jump to their preferred sections.
Now that we have covered all the interactions available within Voomly, let’s proceed to the next menu, which is the Security menu.
Security is of paramount importance when it comes to protecting your video content, and the Security Menu in Voomly provides you with the means to safeguard your videos. Here, you can add an additional layer of protection to your presentations by setting up a password.
In conclusion, the Security Menu within Voomly's player settings enables you to add an extra level of security to your video presentations. It is an effective way to protect your content and control who can access your videos. Now, let's move on to the last menu within the video player settings - the Video Page.
The Video Page in Voomly is where the final version of your video is displayed for viewing. It's the destination your viewers reach when they click on your shared link. Here, you can alter the aesthetics of this page and control various features to optimize the viewer's experience.
In essence, the Video Page menu empowers you to customize your viewer's experience fully, enhancing their engagement and connection with your video content. Whether you want to alter the theme, enable viewer interaction through comments, or strengthen brand visibility with your logo, Voomly's Video Page menu gives you the tools to create a polished and engaging platform for your video.
This concludes our in-depth tour of the various menus within Voomly's Video Player Settings. In our two-part series, we've walked through the exciting range of customization options Voomly provides, from setting the perfect thumbnail and choosing the ideal player skin, to designing your own interactive elements and ensuring your video page aligns with your brand identity.
In the first installment, we focused on setting the stage - choosing an enticing thumbnail, selecting the most appealing player skin, and configuring the controls to enhance the viewing experience. In this second part, we delved deeper into the heart of viewer engagement, exploring the world of subtitles, interactions, security, and the video page itself.
These tools equip you to personalize and enhance the viewer experience in a myriad of ways, making your video content more engaging, accessible, and interactive. But the journey doesn't end here. Stay tuned as we continue to unravel the secrets of Voomly. We'll be diving into other exciting features, like the interactive video tab and the analytics tab, and uncovering the multitude of ways you can leverage these tools to elevate your videos. Keep exploring, keep creating, and keep making the most of the extraordinary opportunities Voomly offers. We can't wait to continue this journey with you. Until next time!
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Voomly is the perfect platform to host videos advertising your brand.
And with its ultra-customizable, no-coding-required video tools, you’ll get the absolute best results from your sales videos.
Select video player colors, border skins, player skins, and customized thumbnails … potentially increasing your sales video views by as much as 4X, according to some research.
Drive website traffic by adding a clickable brand logo to your video player … so anyone watching your videos can easily find out more about your products and services.
Promote a professional image by using video players that “travel” with your video … so when your videos are shared via social media, everyone sees them in a video player that displays your logo and brand colors.
Hide or display controls, like the play bar, time, volume, speed, autoplay, full-screen option and more, customizing your player to your marketing goals.
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