Below are some noteworthy features and enhancements that are available in Panopto.
Last updated 25 November 2022.
Tutors can copy Panopto video recordings from one study-unit folder to another study-unit folder. Following recent updates, the copied recordings will now be reference copies of the original recordings, by default.
A reference copy is an indistinguishable copy of the original video that refers to the original video’s streams, table of contents, captions and edits made in the video timeline. It allows the tutors to modify certain settings, such as the video’s name, folder, description and availability window. Data, analytics and quiz results from the original video are cleared in reference copies.
Note that, by default, any edits to the original video will be reflected in all reference copies. It is possible, however, to prevent edits from being cascaded across the reference copies. Similarly, any edits to the reference copy can be reflected in the original copy and other reference copies.
Reference copies, therefore, facilitate the cascading of edits. The copying of Panopto recordings across study-units is also faster. Furthermore, reference copies do not take up additional storage space resulting in efficient use of the Panopto’s storage space.
Refer to the quick guide Reference copies [PDF] for more information and instructions.
Tutors are able to upload video or audio files (created outside Panopto) directly to a Panopto study-unit folder. The uploaded videos can be used in the same way as a Panopto video recording. For example, tutors can add quizzes and captions to the uploaded videos.
Panopto supports a range of video and audio file formats, including, AVI, MP4, WMV, MP3 and more.
Tutors are encouraged to use the Panopto Upload media feature instead of the standard Add file feature in the VLE to upload video and audio files.
Refer to the quick guide Uploading media files to Panopto [PDF] for step-by-step instructions.
Tutors can set up subfolders within the main Panopto study-unit folder. Upon accessing a Panopto study-unit folder, tutors will immediately have the Add folder option available. This allows tutors to organise their recordings as they deem fit, which helps students easily locate and access particular recordings. For instance, a subfolder can be created for different topics covered within a study-unit.
The tutors can also arrange the order of the recordings within Panopto folders and subfolders as follows:
Refer to the quick guide, Managing and organising folders in Panopto [PDF] for step-by-step instructions.
Panopto automatically generates Smart chapters (a table of contents) for ALL new recordings, including those that do not make use of PowerPoint or Keynote slide presentation. The Smart chapters feature makes navigation easier for viewers, in particular for lengthy recordings.
Tutors can easily modify, add or delete a specific smart chapter as necessary, within the video’s editing window.
Some past recordings may not have Smart chapters. However, these can be easily added as indicated in the underlying quick guide.
Refer to the quick guide Smart chapters in Panopto [PDF] for step-by-step instructions.
Tutors can add Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) captions to video recordings. Captions are text versions of human speech synchronised with the video. They are essential to ensure that videos are accessible to deaf or hard-of-hearing students. Video captions also benefit students whose first language is not English and those that prefer to read along to improve comprehension or focus.
As with all machine-generated captioning services, the Panopto (ASR) captions will need to be reviewed and edited to correct inaccuracies.
Tutors who deliver lectures or prepare recordings in languages other than English can also choose to have auto-captions generated in the respective languages. Note that Maltese is not yet available. Hence, if automated captions are enabled for a video recorded in Maltese, the system will try to generate captions based on the default language, which unfortunately will be incorrect.
Tutors may change the default language for a study-unit folder as follows:
Refer to the quick guide Adding and editing captions in Panopto [PDF] for step-by-step instructions.
The Panopto Assignment folder enables tutors to create a subfolder in an existing Panopto study-unit folder so that students can upload their recordings. This feature may be useful for example, when the students are required to present a video or audio recording as part of their assessment.
The videos in the Panopto Assignment folder can be viewed by their tutor and, if required, these can also be shared with all the students enrolled on the corresponding VLE area.
To set up a Panopto Assignment folder: