Product Updates

We have successfully pushed an update to all Enterprise Video Platform instances residing in the European Union, Australia, the Middle East, Canada, and Asia. The United State geographic zone will be updated later this week. The highlights for this update include an upgraded view of the Enterprise VideoTube, enhanced visuals for the content report, an upgraded Activity panel, a new audio player interface, sub-admin permission management, users with edit access can change media ownership, new import schedule wizard, remotely stop active recording sessions, and more.

 

1. Upgraded Enterprise VideoTube with Slide-Out Channel Bar and New Branding Options

   The Enterprise VideoTube has been redesigned with a new slide-out Channel Bar that displays available public channels in an easy-to-view list. Administrators can also update the Enterprise VideoTube branding by customizing the background and text colors of both the Channel Bar and the landing page, as well as using a static masthead image. Over the coming releases, we will be incorporating the ability to create custom pages, playlists, and adding new permission management capabilities.

   

2. Upgraded Content Report with New Data Visualization Capabilities

   We’ve significantly enhanced our Content Report by streamlining multiple tabs into a unified, engaging interface. Key highlights of this improvement include:

   • Improved Summary Cards with at-a-glance statistics and integrated graphs
   • The Hot Spots panel features a view of the video with highlighted segments indicating the most-watched parts.
   • Improved Playback list featuring drop-down analytics that reveals audience retention and time jumps.
   

3. Upgraded Activity Panel of the Admin Panel with Improved User Interface

   We have rebranded the Notifications tab to “Activity,” and added valuable insights, data summarization, and filtering tools.

   

4. New Audio Player Interface with On-Screen Visual Waveform

   A new, more modern Audio Player provides listeners with an upgraded experience when listening to audio-only content. The new player design introduces an on-screen visual indicator featuring a colorful waveform that synchronizes with the active audio. This waveform will also dynamically adjust in response to the audio’s volume.

   

5. New Sub-Admin Permission Management Console and Framework

   Over the coming releases, the Sub-Admin role configuration will become increasingly flexible. To support this, we have introduced a new Sub-Admin Permission Management Console alongside a Capabilities Framework. This will enable Sub-Admins roles to be more flexibly aligned to Admin Panel Capabilities and, most importantly, Platform-level Capabilities. This more powerful Capabilities framework lays the foundation for unique Sub-Admin job classifications.

   

6. Video Editor Now Offers Light Mode and Dark Mode Options

   With recent updates to the Video Editor introducing a dark theme to alleviate eye strain, we are also offering the option to choose a Light Mode for those who prefer a brighter interface.

   

7. Increased Import Speed for Zoom Recordings Ingestion

   We have enhanced our import time for Zoom recordings using a newer Zoom architecture that transitions from an hourly “pull” to a synchronized “listener” model where recordings arrive within minutes.

   

8. Comprehensive Activity Tracking and Audit Logging for Video Editor Actions

   The Admin Panel’s Activity panel will now track granular actions and will keep track of actions performed within a Video Editor session. This provides admins and our support staff with better tools to support users.

   

9. Allow Users With Edit Access to Change Media Ownership

   We’ve introduced a new setting allowing users with edit access to reassign content ownership. Access the settings from the Admin Panel -> Platform -> Platform Settings.

   

10. Institution-Wide Security Privacy Configuration of Student Uploads

    To safeguard the content of students, administrators can enable a new security setting that automatically sets all student uploads as private by default. Access the settings from the Admin Panel -> Platform -> Platform Settings.

    

11. New Sub-Admin Capability Framework to Publish Content to Featured Videos in the Enterprise VideoTube

    Leveraging the new Sub-Admin Capability Framework, Administrators can allow Sub-Admins more control over their institution’s Enterprise VideoTube by permitting them to publish content directly within the Feature Videos section.

    

12. Watch Browser Capture Videos While They Are Being Transcoded and Processed

    We’ve improved our Browser Capture processing pipeline, allowing users to view and select recordings in the Media Chooser even while they are being actively processed.

    

13. Option to Enable Metadata Harvesting for Specific Roles

    With the implementation of metadata harvesting, which enables users to utilize APIs for collecting information related to their content’s metadata, we have introduced a new option to restrict API usage according to specified roles: IT Managers, instructors, and students. Access the settings from the Admin Panel -> Platform -> Metadata.

    

14. More Granular Branding Options: Customize My Media Sidebar Folder Icon Colors

    We have introduced a new branding setting enabling administrators to customize the color of My Media Sidebar folder icons on the Manage Media page, ensuring the icons are accessible with various background colors. Access the settings from the Admin Panel -> Branding -> Platform Colors -> Sidebar Folder Selection.

    

15. New Available Functions for the YuJa Video Player API

    The YuJa Video Player API, which integrates YuJa’s Media Player controls into third-party software, now offers APIs to retrieve both the current playback time and the total video duration.

16. More Accessible Design for Media Library Folders in List View

    Previously, we updated the look of our folders to offer a more accessible design so that users could easily select folders or their action menus. In this release, we’re including the same design to be featured when viewing folders in a list view.

    

17. New Import Schedule Wizard to Show a List of Successful and Unsuccessful Imports

    The Import Schedule modal for devices has been updated to feature a two-step process, allowing users to upload XML or CSV files, followed by a review of successfully and unsuccessfully imported schedules.

    

18. Stop Active Recording Sessions by Remotely Managing Recording Tools

    Recording sessions through Software Capture, Browser Capture, and the Hardware Hub can now be stopped remotely through the Video Platform by selecting the Stop button on the recording thumbnail.

    

19. Reduced Visual Clutter in the More Action Menu by Organizing Items into Headings

    The More Actions menu categorizes all items under specific headings, helping content creators locate the desired action for their content.

    

20. Visible and Invisible Dates Moved to Additional Options for Content Publishing

    As we explore new strategies for publishing content to channels, we’ve introduced an Additional Options setting that will offer new methods for publishing content. In anticipation of these updates, we have relocated the Visible and Invisible Date options to this section.

    

21. Clear Labels and Improved Visibility for Video Editor Tools

    To help Content Creators easily differentiate between various tools in the Video Editor and enhance their visibility, we have added clearly defined labels to the cut, split, undo, and redo tools.

    

22. Enhanced Visual Search Capabilities for Selecting Users to Share Media With

    When selecting a user to share media with, the drop-down list will no longer auto-populate with all users. Instead, it will filter results based on the search query entered.

    

23. Compact List View for Publishing Video Quizzes to Courses

    For institutions with a large number of courses, the list of courses available for publishing Video Quizzes could take considerable time to load. We have addressed this by introducing a compact list view, which can be expanded to load additional courses and filtered through the search bar.

    

Did you miss me? You did, didn’t you? It’s okay, you can tell me. Either way, I sure did miss you! And although this isn’t the same medium that we’ve grown accustomed to over the past year (they kicked me off the videos because I have an “attitude problem.” Whatever that means), I’m sure we can make the most of it. And what better time to make my valiant return than to a release filled with, like, twenty new features? They’re really throwing me to the wolves here, people, and I’m taking you all with me. So, as always, strap yourselves in as we explore some of the key features hitting the Video Platform this week.

Unified Video Editor Slide-Out Sidebar with Access to All Advanced Editing

To improve the lives of all you would-be content creators out there, we’ve consolidated the previous right-side menu, as well as the advanced editing tools on the center panel, into a single unified slide-out menu, which will now appear on the left side of the preview window in the YuJa Video Editor.

Video Editor Supports Ability to Remove Only Audio Track

And while we’re on the subject of the Video Editor, I’d also like to point out that we’ve added the option to mute audio tracks while still retaining the source video. You know, in case you’re in the middle of creating your magnum opus and right now is the time that your dog decides to play with his favorite squeaker toy. No reason that should ruin the whole shot, am I right?

Updated Interface for the Admin Panel’s Branding Page

The Branding page has been redesigned to feature a more organized structure with clear headings, along with new icons and colors to help stimulate you. Over the coming releases, each panel of the Admin Panel will receive a major makeover, so stay tuned!

Analytical Tracking for Video-Timeline Jumps by Users

Admins can now get a better understanding of how users interact with videos by being able to plainly see the boring parts they skipped over when they were too much to bear, and the good parts they jumped back to when they just couldn’t get enough. A blessing and a curse, believe me.

New Add-On (Yay): Integrate the Media Chooser with Drupal to Embed Content Into Your Website

And finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for (no, not for this blog to end): We’re introducing the latest Panorama Add-On! Through Drupal’s rich text editor, content creators can now use the Media Chooser to embed videos, documents, and playlists into their Drupal websites. This will allow those navigating the website to experience faster load times due to bandwidth offloading. Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Kinda like slipping into an old, heavily worn shoe. I have to say, it feels good to be back. Thanks for watching reading, and we hope you enjoy using the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform. For more exciting news and updates, subscribe to our newsletter, and stay tuned for more amazing new releases coming to a blog near you. For a full list of features, please visit the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform Update – July 2024.

We have successfully pushed an update to all Enterprise Video Platform instances residing in Canada and the European Union. Zones residing in the United States, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia will be updated later this week. The highlights for this update include improvements to the Video Editor, a dedicated Overview page for Campuses under the Umbrella System, updated design interfaces across several areas of the platform, new security ID support PINs, quality-of-life improvements to the Media Chooser, automatic imports for Zoom Room recordings, analytical tracking for time jumps by users, enhanced captioning for live streams, and more.

1. Unified Video Editor Slide-Out Sidebar with Access to All Advanced Editing Tools To enhance the Video Platform’s usability, it now features a sidebar menu for Content Creators to quickly access advanced tools and settings. This consolidates the previous right-hand side panel and the advanced editing tools on the center panel into a single, unified slide-out toolbar.
2. Umbrella System – Dedicated Usage & Analytics Overview Page for Campuses For institutions deploying the Umbrella System Architecture, Administrators responsible for managing campuses within their institution’s hierarchical structure will have access to a dedicated Overview page. This page will display analytics specific to their campus, including data on top-performing videos, active users, and views.
3. Updated Interface for the Admin Panel’s Branding Page The Branding page has been redesigned to feature a more organized structure with clear headings and new icons and colors across the page. Over the coming releases, each panel of the Admin Panel will be significantly updated.
4. Update Graphs and Analytic Displays for the Content Report in Usage & Analytics We’re continuing to transition the Video Platform to our new design system by introducing it to new areas, such as the Content page, to update the visual esthetics of graphs and how data is displayed.
5. Security ID PINs to Help Verify Account Access We’ve introduced unique ID pins for each account, which automatically change every 24 hours. Users can relay their PIN to our support staff to confirm they have access to the account they need help on.
6. New Third-Party Hardware Smart Connectors Required for Integration with Video Platform Hardware Smart Connectors ensure the integrity of the Video Platform and align with permitted use, similar to integration with third-party video conference tools. Now, all third-party hardware device integrations will require a licensed Smart Connector. All users who use these capabilities should have had their Client Success Manager reach out to them to ensure continued operations of the integration.
7. Video Editor Supports Ability to Mute Audio Tracks of a Unified Audio-and-Video Stream The Video Editor features the option to mute audio streams while retaining the video source, allowing Content Creators to remove unwanted audio.
8. View Selected Folders within the Media Chooser The Media Chooser allows users to view which folders they’re searching within.
9. New UI to Improve Visual Distinctiveness of Playlists Playlists feature a new UI that distinguishes them from folders, allowing Content Creators to easily recognize them within their personal library and channels.
10. Media Chooser – Browse Files Within Folders When Filtering by Location in the Media Chooser When choosing a location to filter results, users can toggle the “Show Files” option to view all media content within folders.
11. Automatic Imports for Recorded “Zoom Rooms” Meetings Our existing Zoom integration, which supports automatic imports for Zoom video conference recordings, will also support automatic imports for Zoom Room recordings.
12. Video Editor – Updated the Blur Tool to a More Intense Blur Effect The Blur tool has been updated to a much more intense blur effect to help ensure that textual material is illegible.
13. Analytical Tracking for Video Timeline Jumps by Users Administrators can view how users interact with a video by seeing parts they go back to or jump to when watching content.
14. Customize the Title Tag of the Video Platform Administrators can adjust the title tag of their Video Platform to match their institution’s branding.
15. Option to Require SSO Login for Administrators To protect the privacy and security of an institution’s Video Platform instance, we’ve added a new optional setting that requires administrators to log in through their SSO instead of their YuJa credentials.
16. Improved Live Caption Quality and Stream Sync We’ve addressed inconsistencies in live captioning, resulting in more accurate captions that will sync with the live stream.
17. Video Title Preview for Embedded Media To help viewers understand what they are about to watch, embedded videos show their titles directly on the thumbnail.
18. Phasing Out Support for YouTube Video Imports Given YouTube’s lack of official support for importing videos into third-party platforms, we will gradually phase out the option of importing YouTube videos to the Video Platform. While we phase out the feature, users who still wish to utilize it can find it under My Account > Integrations.
19. Visual Display of Content When Replacing Media We’ve created a visual display of the content that will be replaced, allowing users to more intuitively recognize the media they’re updating.

 

New Add On! New Drupal CMS Plugin with Media Chooser Capabilities

1. Integrate the Media Chooser with Drupal to Embed Content Into Your Website Through Drupal’s rich text editor, Content Creators can use the Media Chooser to embed videos, documents, and playlists into their websites. This will allow those navigating the website to experience faster load times due to bandwidth offloading.

We have successfully pushed an update to the YuJa Website Accessibility Widget for those residing in the United States, Canada, European Union, and Australia.

1. New Redesign of the Website Report – Compare Content and Color Adjustments Over Time We’ve improved the Website Report graph, enabling administrators to compare color and content adjustments over time. Additionally, we’ve introduced a tabular structure to declutter the report and display only relevant information.

We have successfully pushed an update to all Enterprise Video Platform instances residing in Canada and the European Union. Zones residing in the United States, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia will be updated later this week. The highlights for this update include a new visual search experience with improved search capabilities, an update of the Video Editor theme to a dark theme, IMS Caliper Analytics support for YouTube videos, direct links to video quizzes will record grades for users, performance report tracking for the Video Editor, more accurate tracking of unique video views using IP address, enhanced screen reader capabilities, overall UI enhancements, and much more.

1. New Visual Search User Experience with Slide-out Drawer with Time-Sequenced Results We have redesigned the user experience of the Visual Search to provide improved at-a-glance search match information, along with the ability to quickly review more detailed metadata match information. New capabilities include:
   
   • Visually Summary Bar: Clear color-aligned search match summary information that shows how a particular search term matched within the captions, slides (OCR), in-video comments, and indexes
   • Slide-Out Match Details: Clicking Match Details now presents a slide-out drawer with time-sequenced, color-coded search matches along
   • Improved Timeline Indicators: The search matches are now better annotated along the timeline bar of the video thumbnail
   • Improved Accessibility and Responsiveness: The user experience now offers a more modern, responsive and screen-reader-accessible design.
   • Multi-Selection of Search Results: A convenient multi-selection of search results to perform bulk actions is now available.
   
2. Improved Search Capabilities to Locate OCR, Captions, Table of Contents, and Comments We’ve optimized that search infrastructure to ensure search results are quickly displayed across all metadata layers.
3. Search for Folders on the Video Platform When Using Basic Search When using the Video Platform’s basic search, users will find relevant folders on the search results page.
4. Video Editor Now Uses Dark Theme to Improve the Contrast of Editable Elements and Reduce Eye Strain Our Video Editor has been redesigned with a dark theme to reduce eye strain and improve the ability to edit the video content.
5. IMS Caliper Analytics – In-Depth Integration of Video Viewership Data for YouTube Videos Previously, we added additional data with our third-party Caliper Analytics integration to help administrators make more informed decisions about their content uploaded to the Video Platform. We’ve now expanded our analytic capabilities to include video viewership metrics for uploaded YouTube content, monitoring the following information:
   
   
   • Points on the video timeline viewers play the video.
   • Points on the video timeline viewers pause the video.
   • Specific points selected on the video timeline.
   
6. Visual Analytics Overview Now Offers New Directional Summary Cards With Integrated Directional Graphs Each panel in the Overview tab for Usage & Analytics offers a graphical representation of the trend line of the given metric. The goal is to provide improved at-a-glance information to administrators. Over the coming quarters, we expect to roll out this new analytics representation to other reports.
7. New Compact Design for Media Library Folders with More Accessibility Action Menu The Media Library folder design now offers a more compact design with a clearer pop-out menu style.
8. Video Quizzes: Direct Links to Video Quizzes Will Record Grades for Users Previously, grades from Video Quizzes accessed through direct links were assigned to an “anonymous” user within the Video Platform. With the recent update, authenticated users who take a quiz using a direct link will have their grades automatically recorded and synched with the gradebook in the Video Platform.
9. Administrations Can Receive Automatic Emails for Device Schedules Administrators can schedule reports for devices on their platform to obtain a CSV file containing a list of past or upcoming automated recording sessions within a specified period of time.
10. New Report for Tracking the Historical Computational and Delivery Performance of the Video Platform The Report panel in Usage & Analytics offers administrators the option to request a performance report. This report provides insights into the Video Platform’s speed in processing requests, such as:
    
    
    • Media processing time.
    • Completion of auto-captions.
    • Time taken for videos to be playable.
    • Load times for various information, including the Roster, Devices, Campus Tube, and Gradebook pages.
    
11. Consolidated Usage and Object Reports Within the Data Management Tab In our previous release, we updated the Data Management page by consolidating information from the Overview page in Usage & Analytics and the Admin Panel. We are continuing to update the Data Management page, which now offers the option to retrieve reports for storage usage and stored objects.
12. Configurable Email Notifications for Media Deletion and Recycle Bin Actions We’ve expanded customization options for administrators, allowing for personalized automatic email notifications when media content owned by a user is deleted and when media is moved to the recycle bin.
13. More Accurate Tracking of Unique, Unauthenticated Video Views Using IP Address We’ve implemented an IP-based approach to tracking unique video view counts for authenticated and unauthenticated users.
14. Roster Panel Supports Email-Based Search Administrators have the option to look up users on the Roster panel by using their email addresses.
15. Enhanced Screen Reader Accessibility for Mouse-Hover Actions Users who require screen reader assistance will find improved functionality in scenarios where mouse-hover actions are required to select content.
16. Updated Color Scheme and Text for the Advanced Search Console We’ve improved the Advance Search Console’s overall color palette and text to align more closely with our brand goals.
17. New APIs to Add or Delete Users from Shared Folders We’ve added new APIs which can add and delete users from shared folders (1.2.12 and 1.2.13).

Himalayas Add-On

1. Specify the Number of Days Media Will Remain in the Exclusion List Previously, content would remain in the exclusion list for 90 days. We have now provided the option for administrators to set a custom amount of days to keep items in the exclusion list.