About
Hotspots are clickable interactive objects that you can add to videos using the Kaltura video editor to increase engagement and guide viewers to additional content.
You can use hotspots to:
- Direct viewers to a URL
- Jump to a specific point in a video
- Provide additional information
- Create calls to action
- Link to external pages
For simulive (pre-recorded) sessions, add hotspots to the source video. The hotspots are automatically available on the webcast entry when it is broadcast.
Hotspot cue points aren't displayed on the timeline during simulive broadcasts.
This feature requires the Hotspots module to be enabled.
Access the hotspot editor
Accessing the hotspot editor varies depending on the Kaltura application you're using. See How to launch Kaltura's hotspot editor.
Once the editor is open, click the Hotspots icon in the left sidebar to open the settings.
If you don't see the Hotspots option, contact your administrator to enable it in the Hotspots module.
Hotspot settings
The editor has three main areas:
Left pane
Displays the Add hotspot button (1) and any hotspots currently configured for the media entry.
Right pane
Includes:
- preview player (2)
- time field (3)
- playback controls (4)
Bottom pane
Contains the timeline and editing tools, including:
- real-time marker (5)
- show/hide audio tracks (6)
- zoom (7)
When using the zoom function, a scroll bar appears underneath the timeline, allowing you to navigate through the video.
Create a hotspot
- Move the marker to the point in the video where you want the hotspot to appear. You can drag the marker or play the video and pause at the desired location.
- Click + Add Hotspot.
A hotspot is created at the selected time and a settings box displays.
You can drag the hotspot to reposition it. You can adjust its size and position more precisely later using the Advanced Settings.
If you try to place the hotspot too close to the bottom of the player, an alert appears. Hotspots can't be placed in this area because it is reserved for captions.
Configure the hotspot settings
Open a website or online resource
- Enter the text for the hotspot.
- In the Go to field, select URL.
- Enter the destination in the Link to field.
When viewers click a hotspot that contains a URL, the link opens in a new tab and video playback pauses.
To create an email link, enter mailto:email@domain.com in the Link to field.
Jump to another point in the video
- Enter the text for the hotspot.
- In the Go to field, select Time in this video.
- Enter the destination time in the Time field.
When viewers click the hotspot, playback jumps to the specified point in the video.
Text, Go to, and Time are optional. If all three fields are left blank, the hotspot is transparent.
Customize a hotspot
1. Click Advanced Settings.
The Edit Hotspot panel opens.
2. You can customize the hotspot's text, appearance, position, and timing.
Edit hotspot content
Use the following settings to update the hotspot text and behavior:
- Text - Edit the text you typed in.
- Go to - Edit where you want the hotspot to lead.
- Time - Change the destination time if the hotspot links to another point in the video.
Customize hotspot appearance
Use the style settings to change how the hotspot looks:
- Text Color & Style - Click to open the color palette and change the text color.
- Use the dropdown to change the font weight.
- Text Size - Choose the weight of the font by typing the font size, or by using the up and down arrows or slider.
- Roundness - Adjust the corner roundness by typing a value or using the slider.
- Background Color - Select a background color from the palette or enter a HEX or RGB value.
Adjust position and size of the hotspot
- Position - Enter X and Y coordinates. The point (0,0) represents the upper-left corner of the player.
- Size - Enter the hotspot width and height in pixels.
You can also resize and reposition the hotspot directly in the player.
Control when the hotspot appears
Use the timeline settings to determine when the hotspot is displayed:
- Start Time - Set when the hotspot appears.
- End Time - Set when the hotspot disappears.
Click Done to save your settings.
The new hotspot is added to the left pane.
3. Click Save at the top right to save your hotspot(s).
Changes made in Advanced Settings while creating a hotspot become the default settings for the current editing session. Changes made to an existing hotspot don't affect the session defaults.
The hotspot duration is highlighted in yellow on the timeline. Hotspots are ordered according to their start time. If you change a hotspot's start time, the hotspot list is reordered automatically.
Preview hotspots
After saving your hotspots, play the media to preview them.
If you don't see hotspots during playback, contact your administrator to enable the Hotspot plugin.
