How to Add Captions to a Video Using Kaltura Reach

Kaltura Reach allows instructors to generate and edit captions for videos stored in Kaltura. 

Note: Captions are auto-generated and can be reviewed and edited for accuracy before they are used in a course. 

This guide will walk you through adding and editing captions to videos using Kaltura Reach. 

 

Step 1: Log in to Kaltura

  1. Go to https://video.kent.edu
  2. Click on the User Menu in the top right corner and log in using your Kent State credentials
    1. A screenshot of the Kent State Kaltura homepage showing the user menu expanded with the list of options. The login option appears at the bottom of the list.
  3. Select My Media from the navigation menu
    1. A screenshot of the Kent State Kaltura homepage showing the user menu expanded with the list of options. The My Media option appears as the second options in the list.
  4. Review the list and click on the name of the video you want to caption
 

Step 2: Request Captions Using Kaltura Reach

  1. On the video page, expand the 3-dot ellipsis menu beneath the video
    1. A screenshot of a video showing a 3-dot ellipsis menu beneath the video
  2. Select the Reach captions & enrich option
    1. A screenshot of the video options menu in Kaltura with the Reach captions & enrich menu highlighted in gray.
  3. Review the settings, adjust if needed for language, etc., and click Order
    1. A screenshot of the reach captions and enrich section in Kaltura showing all the different settings

Captions will be generated automatically, and you will receive an email notification when they are complete. Processing time varies depending on video length. 

 

Step 3: Edit Captions for Accuracy

Auto-generated captions are a starting point to create accurate captions for your video.

  1. Return to the Reach captions & enrich option from the menu beneath the video
    1. A screenshot of the video options menu in Kaltura with the Reach captions & enrich menu highlighted in gray.
  2. Under Actions, click the pencil icon to Edit Captions
    1. A screenshot of the Reach captions & enrich menu in Kaltura after captions have been ordered. The original order appears with options to complete Actions, including an edit option represented by a blue pencil icon on the far right.
  3. In the Closed Captions Editor,  play the video while reviewing the captions
  4. Correct misspelled words, names, technical terms, acronyms, timing, or punctuation
  5. Save your changes
A screenshot of the Closed Captions editor in Kaltura with options to play the video on the right side and edit each line of captions on the left side. The Save button is blue and appears in the top right corner.
 

Step 4. Confirm Captions Are Published

After editing, verify that captions are published and visible, and ensure students can turn captions on and off during playback. 

  1. Return to the video.
  2. Play the video and locate the CC button in the bottom menu. Click to enable or disable.
A screenshot of a Kaltura video with the white CC button located in the bottom right section of the video.
 

Tips for Better Caption Accuracy

  • Script or outline videos before recording
  • Speak clearly and avoid background noise
  • Use consistent terminology
  • Review captions before the course begins, when possible