--- title: "Media Slide" url: "https://help.cbook.de/en/article/media-slide" language: "en" last_updated: "2026-04-10T12:19:11.609Z" --- # Media Slide ## Introduction The Media Slide lets you embed video or audio content directly into your cBook. You can play back videos (with optional picture-in-picture), audio files, or display standalone images — all with built-in controls for subtitles, volume, and fullscreen viewing. It's the go-to slide type whenever your learners need to watch or listen to something. ## Editor Overview When you select a Media Slide in the Creator, the sidebar shows three main sections: - **Media Sources** — where you pick your video, audio, poster image, and optional picture-in-picture video - **Playback Settings** — toggles for autoplay, auto-navigation, subtitles, and device orientation - **Media Description** — an optional text that appears before playback starts ## Media Sources ### Main Video This is the primary media file for your slide. Click the upload button to select a video file (e.g. MP4, WebM) from the Asset Manager. ### Audio Instead of a video, you can also select an audio file (e.g. MP3, WAV, FLAC). If you choose an audio file together with an image, the image is displayed while the audio plays. ### Poster Image (optional) A poster is a still image that is shown before the video starts playing. This gives learners a visual preview of the content. If you provide both an image and an audio file, the image is displayed as the audio player's poster. ### Picture-in-Picture Video (optional) You can add a second video that is overlaid on top of the main video — for example, a sign language interpretation or a speaker camera. The picture-in-picture video plays in sync with the main video. **Important:** The picture-in-picture video should be shorter than or about the same length as the main video. The Creator will show you a warning if the duration can't be verified, and an error if the picture-in-picture video is longer than the main video. ## Playback Settings These options appear once you've selected a video or audio file. ### Autoplay When enabled, the media starts playing automatically as soon as the slide loads. Note that autoplay is subject to browser restrictions — most browsers block autoplay with sound unless the user has previously interacted with the page. ### Automatically Go to Next Slide When Media Ends When enabled, the cBook automatically advances to the next slide as soon as the video or audio finishes playing. This is useful for guided, linear learning paths where you don't want learners to have to click "Next" manually. ### Prompt to Rotate Device When enabled, learners on mobile devices in portrait mode are prompted to rotate their device to landscape for a better viewing experience. This is especially useful for widescreen video content. ### Default Subtitles If your video or audio file has subtitles attached, you can choose which subtitle language should be pre-selected when the slide loads. Learners can still switch languages or turn subtitles off during playback. If no subtitles have been uploaded for the media file, this dropdown is disabled and shows "No subtitles available for this media file." ## Media Description The media description is an optional block of formatted text that appears before the learner starts the video. It's a great way to: - Provide context or instructions before viewing - Improve accessibility by describing the media content - Set expectations for what learners will see or hear **Note:** The media description is only available when autoplay is turned off. If autoplay is enabled, the toggle for the media description is disabled. The description disappears once the learner starts playing the media and does not reappear. You can format the description text using headings, bold, italic, lists, and other rich text options available in the editor. ## How the Media Slide Works for Learners ### Player Controls When learners view a Media Slide, they see a full media player with these controls: - **Play/Pause** — A large play button in the center of the video, plus a smaller one in the control bar - **Progress Bar** — Click or drag to jump to any point in the media. Hovering shows the elapsed time. - **Time Display** — Shows current position and total duration - **Volume** — Mute/unmute button and a volume slider - **Subtitles (CC)** — Opens a subtitle selector where learners can choose a language or turn subtitles off. Their preference is saved for future sessions. - **Fullscreen** — Expands the video to fill the entire screen (video only) ### Keyboard Shortcuts Learners can control playback with the keyboard: | Key | Action | | --- | --- | | P | Play / Pause | | M | Mute / Unmute | | F | Toggle fullscreen | | Arrow Left / Right | Skip back / forward 5 seconds | | Shift + Arrow Left / Right | Skip back / forward 10 seconds | | Page Up / Page Down | Skip back / forward 10 seconds | | Space or Enter | Play / Pause | ### Completion Behavior - **Image-only slides** are marked as complete immediately - **Video or audio slides** in linear mode are marked as complete when the media finishes playing - If autoplay is enabled in free navigation mode, the slide is marked complete automatically ## Tips and Common Scenarios ### Video with Sign Language Overlay Upload your main video, then add a sign language video as the picture-in-picture. Both videos will play in sync, and learners see the sign language interpretation overlaid in a corner of the main video. ### Audio Lesson with Cover Image Select an audio file as your main media and upload an image as the poster. Learners see the image while the audio plays, creating a visually appealing audio experience. ### Guided Video Walkthrough Enable "Automatically go to next slide when media ends" to create a seamless flow where learners watch a video and are then automatically taken to the next step — for example, a quiz question about what they just watched. ### Accessible Video with Description Turn off autoplay, enable "Show media description," and write a brief summary of the video content. This helps learners with visual impairments understand what the video covers before they decide to play it.