Upload a video
Upload the video you want to describe.
How to Upload a New Video
In a newly created project, you will see a notice that no video has been uploaded yet. The checklist in the top-right corner indicates that this is the first step.
- In the project overview, click the “New Video” button located to the right of the “Basic Information”.
- Select your video file. The upload will then begin. The progress bar will gradually turn green, and screen readers will announce the progress every few seconds.
- Click “Save” once the upload is complete. Alternatively, the system saves automatically after one minute if you are away from your computer.
*Tip: You can work on other tasks during the upload—but the upload window must stay open! If you want to work on another project at the same time, for example, simply open a second browser window or a new tab.
Initialization of the Project
After a successful upload, the video will be analyzed. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the video length. As a general rule, 1 hour of film takes approximately 30 minutes to initialize. In the checklist at the top right, you can track the progress (e.g., 2/6). Once the initialization is complete, the project overview will reload in your browser, and a preview of your video will appear.
Author’s Tip: For longer videos, consider taking a coffee break or upload the video the evening before. This way, by the next morning, everything will be initialized, and you can get started right away.
Video Format and File Sizes
Since Frazier is a web-based application, you need a video format that modern browsers support. Additionally, you don’t need to have the highest image quality to describe a film effectively. For optimal efficiency, we recommend the following video settings:
- File format .MP4 / .M4V
- Video: H264, 720p, max. 6 MBit/s
- Audio: AAC (stereo), max. 320 kBit/s
Tip: Often, your clients can provide you with the material in the correct format. It’s best to ask them directly.
Converting Video
If your video is not in the correct format, Frazier can attempt to convert it after the upload. Please note that the video file size must not exceed 3 GB. Additionally, automatic conversion does not work for “Local Mode” projects, as Frazier does not have access to the original video file in those cases.
In these instances, you can perform the conversion yourself. For example, you can use the free software HandBrake. In HandBrake, select one of the web presets, such as “Very Fast 720p30” or “Very Fast 576p25”—or enter the parameters mentioned above manually.
You can, of course, use any other conversion program as long as you follow the parameters specified above. It is important that the final video size remains under 3 GB to ensure the upload works. With the settings mentioned above, you should only reach this limit for very long films. 😉
Replace Video
Got a new version of the film? To upload the new version, select the “Replace video…” option in the context menu to the right of the title in the project overview. This will restart the upload process and reinitialize the project.
Tip: After replacing the video, check the timecodes in your documents. In many cases, the positions of the audio descriptions may no longer match, especially if scenes have been moved or shortened. It’s best to use batch processing in the editor to adjust the timecodes.
Last Update: 2026/01/23