Video Collection Overview

A Video Collection is an online video player that allows you to stream directly to your website, giving you complete control over when, where, and how your content is shared. Features include Gated Content, playlists, live shopping, and more, which allows your viewers to interact in new ways with the content you publish. See Video Collections in action below!

In this article:

Video Collection Features

Gated Content

Gated Content is a Video Collection feature that allows you to monetize livestreams and video uploads by requiring viewers to purchase a pass to view. Gated Content Passes can be configured to allow access to individual videos or groups of videos on your Video Collection(s). Check out the Gated Content Overview to learn more.

Playlist

The playlist can be utilized to display content that you choose from your Video Library Cloud Recordings. Viewers will be able to view the playlist from within the Video Collection to choose on-demand which video they would like to watch. Check out the How to Edit a Video Collection Playlist section to learn more.

Interactive Links

The links feature allows you to connect your viewers to any website you would like using a clickable link in addition to a QR code that is automatically generated for each link. Viewers can follow the links you configure to be brought to your business website, giving page, and more! To learn how go to the Adding Links to a Video Collection section.

Offline Display

The offline display customization allows you to choose what will be displayed when there is no active livestream. You can choose from a countdown for your next scheduled livestream, a playlist of previous livestreams, or a featured video. To learn how, check out Configuring the Offline Display.

Live & VOD Shopping

A Video Collection's Interactive Mode allows your viewers to purchase items directly from a livestream or any shoppable video in your playlist. To learn more, check out the Live Selling on Your Website With Video Collections & Cartr article.

Multiple Collections

From the dashboard, you have the option to create multiple Video Collections. This allows you to choose the specific videos you would like to appear for each Collection and allows you to customize what content lives where on your website.

Analytics

The analytics tool for a Video Collection allows you to see information such as your view count for your videos and purchases of Gated Content. Check out the Analytics article to learn more.

Content Protection

Inappropriate video content and copyright infringement can be reported to Switcher Studio. By clicking the three dots in the bottom-right corner, viewers are provided with the necessary contact information.

How to Create a Video Collection

If you would like to add a new Video Collection with its own unique embed code and video playlist, you can do so using the steps below. A Video Collection utilizes the videos in your Video Library, so you can mix and match what content you would like to be displayed on each individual Collection.
To create a new Video Collection:


How to Add Videos to a Video Collection

If you have existing videos that you would like to add to a Video Collection, you can upload them now. If you do not have any videos to upload or plan to livestream only, you can skip this step.

To upload a video via the Video Library:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click on Video Library in the lefthand sidebar.
  • Click Click to Upload to Library to select your video file or drag and drop the file into the Upload Video pane.
  • Enter the Title and Description.
  • Click Select next to Collections.
  • Select the Collection(s) you would like the video to appear on.
  • Click Save.
  • Click Upload.
  • When the video has completed the upload, click Close.
  • After the video has finished processing, it will be available for playback in the Video Collection playlist.

To upload a video via your computer's hard drive:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click on Video Catalog in the left-hand sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to your desired Video Collection (or make a new one).
  • While in the Videos pane, click the orange Add Videos button in the top-right corner.
  • Add your videos via the prompt.
  • Complete the fields and choose Upload.


How to Bulk Upload Videos to a Video Collection

If you have multiple videos you would like to upload to a Video Collection, you can save time by utilizing the bulk upload feature.

To bulk upload videos to a Video Collection:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Video Collection you would like to upload videos to.
  • Click Add Videos.
  • Click "Click to upload to playlist or drag and drop the files" or select available Video Library files by checking their boxes.
  • Click Add to Collection.
  • The videos will now appear in the playlist, where you can edit titles, and descriptions, and reorder.

Note: Videos uploaded to a playlist will also be added to the video library, allowing you to add the videos to other Video Collections without uploading the files again.

How to Embed a Video Collection on a Website

Video Collections can be embedded on websites, which means you can allow your viewers to watch and interact with your videos directly on your personal or business website. The Video Collection embed code can be accessed from the Switcher Studio Dashboard and copied to paste into your website builder (i.e. Wix, Wordpress, Squarespace, etc.).

To embed a Video Collection on your website:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard in a web browser.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Video Collection you would like to use.
  • The embed code for your Video Collection will be displayed in the Embed Code section with a button to copy to your clipboard.
  • From here you can paste the code into your website builder to display the Video Collection on your website.


How to Livestream to a Video Collection

To livestream to Video Collection:

  • Open Switcher Studio on your main switcher.
  • Tap the Outputs Tab. (arrow with box icon)
  • With Livestreaming selected as the Broadcast Mode, tap the orange New Event button or (if there is an event already created) tap Change>New Event.

Note: If you have scheduled a livestream, you will select it from the following Active Event window.

    • Switcher Player works either as the only destination, or can be used with Multistreaming to stream to both your Video Collection in addition to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or Custom RTMPs.
  • Toggle on - Video Catalog
  • Tap the Add to Collections dropdown list.
  • Select the Collection(s) you want to stream to and tap Done.
  • Choose other platform destinations if Multistreaming and tap Next.
  • Enter Event Details.
  • Scroll down to "Destination Settings."
  • Next to Video Catalog there is an info icon (i).
  • Tap the info icon (i) for options to assign Gated Content passes and enable Live Shopping.
  • Tap Done.
  • When finished entering Event Details, tap Create Event.
  • The event will now be displayed in the Outputs tab.
  • Tap Record to Go Live.

Note: Selecting Video Catalog as a destination does not count toward your total destination limit for Multistreaming.


How to Export Switcher Recordings to the Video Library

You can export video recordings on your iPhone or iPad to the Video Library in the Switcher Dashboard. This allows you to create a cloud backup of the recording that can be accessed by logging into your account on the Switcher Dashboard. You can use the export function upon completing a livestream or from the Video Library section in the menu. Note: When on the Business Plan, all recordings will automatically upload to the Video Library.


To export a video recording to the Video Library directly after a livestream or recording:

  • Tap Export Recorded File on the completion panel.
  • Tap Video Library.
  • Edit the name and description.
  • Tap Upload Video.

To export a video recording to the Video Library:

  • Open the Switcher app.
  • Tap the drop-down arrow next to Video Library to view Local Recordings.
  • Tap the video you would like to export.
  • Tap Upload to Video Library.
  • Edit the details, visibility, Collection destination(s) and links for the video.
  • Tap Upload.

How to Access Video Collection Settings

To access Video Collection settings:


How to Configure the Default Display

To configure the offline display for your Video Collection:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil of the Video Collection you want to customize.
  • Click Default Display.
  • Choose the desired setting:
    • Live Countdown: Display a countdown to your next scheduled stream.
    • Featured Video: Choose one video to highlight on your Player.
    • Playlist: Configure your playlist of recommended videos.

How to Edit a Video Collection Playlist

A Video Collection's playlist is accessible when viewing the Collection in the Interactive Mode. You can choose which videos you would like to add to the playlist.

Note: Any new livestreams are automatically added to the playlist once the live video has ended.

To add videos to the playlist:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil of the Video Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click Add Videos.
  • Click to select each video you would like to add to the playlist.
  • A check will appear next to the video.
  • Click Add to Collection.

To remove videos from the playlist:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil of the Video Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click Remove next to the video(s) you would like to remove.

To rearrange the order of the playlist:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil of the Video Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click and hold the six dots to the left of the video thumbnail you would like to move.
  • Drag and drop to the desired position in the playlist.
  • The changes will be automatically saved.


Switcher supports the ability to add links directly to a video player and even on a per-video basis. Additionally, links can be associated with Gated Content videos, so that the link can only be accessed once the video access is purchased.

Adding links to an entire Collection will make the links visible regardless of which video in a playlist is being played. Links will always be visible in this method, unless behind a subscription.

  • Go to the Switcher Dashboard.
  • Expand Video CMS in the navigation bar.
  • Click Video Catalog.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click Links in the side panel.
  • Click Add New.
  • Enter the Link Name and URL.
  • Toggle on "Only show link if video or subscription has been purchased." if you would like the link to only be accessible after purchasing Gated Content.
  • Your link has now been added to your player. If you would like to add multiple links, click Add New and repeat the process.

How to Add Links to a Video

Adding links to a video will only appear on a player once that video has been selected, and will not be visible when viewing other videos on a Collection player.

  • Go to the Switcher Dashboard.
  • Expand Video CMS in the navigation bar.
  • Click Video Catalog.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection associated with the video you would like to add a link to.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the video you would like to add a link to.
  • Click Add Links.
  • Click Add New.
  • Enter the Link Name and URL.
  • Toggle on "Only show link if video or subscription has been purchased." if you would like the link to only be accessible after purchasing Gated Content.
  • If you would like to add additional links, click Add New and repeat the process.
  • Once all your links have been added, click Save.
  • Click Save again.

How to Customize the Appearance of a Video Collection

To customize the appearance of a Switcher Player:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click Customization.
  • Click the box next to Enable a custom color palette.
  • When Display is selected you can edit the Embedded Display, Playback Behavior, Content Orientation and Max Embed Width.
  • When Styles is selected you can select the colors you would like for each section.
    • Button Background and Links
    • Button Text
    • Embed Background
    • Embed Text
    • Upcoming Background
    • Upcoming Text
    • Interactive Panel Background
    • Interactive Panel Text
    • Player Controls
  • Click Save Changes.

How to Access a Video Collection Landing Page URL

The Video Collection Landing Page is the direct URL for the player. If you would like to share this link with your viewers, you can access it in the Switcher Studio Dashboard.

To access a Video Collection Landing Page URL:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection you would like to access.
  • The URL will be displayed under the Share Landing Page section.
  • Click Edit Link to customize the URL.
  • Click Copy Link if you would like to copy the URL.


How to Edit a Video Collection Landing Page URL

When you host videos with a Video Collection, you can edit a portion of the URL to represent your brand or video content.


To edit a Video Collection Landing Page URL:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection you would like to access.
  • Click Edit Link below the Share Landing Page section.
  • Enter what you would like the URL to display.
    • Only the URL slug, or portion following the forward slash.
  • Click Save.

How to Assign Tags to Videos

Tags allow you to group and filter your videos for easier content management. Tags are not visible to your viewers and are only for the purpose of streamlining your workflow in the Switcher Dashboard.

To Assign a Tag with the Switcher Dashboard:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the video you want to Tag.
  • Select a Tag from the drop-down under Tags or type a new Tag in the New Tag field and click Add.

How to add a Tag with the Switcher app:

  • Open the Switcher app.
  • Tap Video Library.
  • Make sure Video Library is selected from the dropdown at the top of the screen.
  • Select the video file you would like to add a category to
  • Tap the ellipses (...)
  • Tap Edit Details.
  • Tap +Add under Tags
  • Tap Save.

How to edit a Tag's name with the Switcher app:

  • Open the Switcher app.
  • Tap Video Library.
  • Make sure Video Library is selected from the dropdown at the top of the screen.
  • Tap on the dropdown bubble for "Tags"
  • In the pop-up panel, tap on "Edit"
  • Tap on the 3 dots beside the name of the Tag that you wish to edit, and choose "Rename"
  • Rename the Tag, and then tap "Save" to complete the process

How to Add a Thumbnail to a Video

Thumbnail images can be uploaded to display a custom video preview in a Video Collection's playlist.

To Add a Thumbnail to a Video:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Catalog in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the Collection you would like to edit.
  • Click the Edit Pencil next to the video you want to upload a thumbnail for.
  • Click Upload.
  • Select the file.
  • Click Save.

How to Delete a Video Collection

Deleting a Video Collection does not remove the associated videos from the Video Library. Remember that any users that have purchased Gated Content for this Collection will no longer be able to access once deleted. Additionally, if you have the Video Collection embedded on any websites, we recommend first removing the embed code before deleting the Video Collection to avoid any appearance issues on the website.

To delete a Video Collection: