Switcher Player Overview

Switcher Player 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. Switcher Player features Gated Content, playlists, live shopping, and more, which allows your viewers to interact in new ways with the content you publish. See the Switcher Player in action below!

In this article:

Switcher Player Features

Gated Content

Gated Content is a Switcher Player 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 Switcher Player(s). Check out the Gated Content Overview to learn more.

Playlist

The playlist can be utilized to display content that you choose from your Switcher Player Cloud Recordings. Viewers will be able to view the playlist from within the Switcher Player to choose on-demand which video they would like to watch. Check out the Editing Switcher Player's 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 Adding Links to Switcher Player 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

Switcher Player'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 Switcher Player & Cartr article.

Multiple Players

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

Analytics

The analytics tool for Switcher Player 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.

Switcher Player Viewed Minute Allotments

How many viewed minutes your Switcher Player video content has is the metric used to designate allotments per plan type. Switcher Player is available on all plans and the viewed minute allotments vary based on plan type.


  • 30-Day Pass: 200 minutes (lifetime)
  • Studio Plan: 200 minutes (lifetime)
  • Business Plan: 20,000 viewed minutes (monthly)
  • Business+ Plan: 200,000 viewed minutes (monthly)
  • Merchant Plan: 60,000 viewed minutes (monthly)

How to Create a Switcher Player

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

How to Add Videos to a Switcher Player

If you have existing videos that you would like to add to your Switcher Player, 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:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Video Library in the left sidebar.
  • Click Upload Video in the top-right corner.
  • Click Click to Upload to select your video file or drag and drop the file into the Upload Video pane.
  • Enter the Title and Description.
  • Click Select Players next to Add to Player.
  • Select the Switcher Player(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 Switcher Player playlist.

How to Bulk Upload Videos to a Switcher Player

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

To bulk upload videos to a Switcher Player:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Select the Switcher Player you would like to upload videos to.
  • Click Playlist.
  • Click Add Videos.
  • Click Click to upload to playlist or drag and drop the files
  • Click Upload.
  • Click Done.
  • 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 Switcher Players without uploading the files again.

How to Embed Switcher Player on a Website

Switcher Player 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 Switcher Player 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 Switcher Player on your website:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard in a web browser.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Switcher Player you would like to use.
  • The embed code for your Switcher Player 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 Switcher Player on your website.

How to Livestream to a Switcher Player

To livestream to Switcher Player:

  • Open Switcher Studio on your main switcher.
  • Tap the outputs tab. (arrow with box icon)
  • Tap Switcher Player to select it as the output.
    • Switcher Player works either as the only destination, or can be used with Multistreaming to stream to both your Switcher Player in addition to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or Custom RTMPs.
  • Tap the blue arrow next to Switcher Player.
  • Enter the stream details.
  • Tap Save.
  • Press the record button in the top right corner.

Note: Selecting Switcher Player 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.


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 Video Library.
  • Tap the video you would like to export.
  • Tap Export Live Recording.
  • Tap Video Library.
  • Edit the name and description.
  • Tap Upload Video.

How to Access Switcher Player Settings

To access Switcher Player settings:

How to Configure the Default Display

To configure the offline display for your Switcher Player:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Select the desired Switcher Player.
  • 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.
  • Click Save Changes.

How to Edit a Switcher Player Playlist

Switcher Player's playlist is accessible when viewing the Switcher Player 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 Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Switcher Player you would like to edit.
  • Click Playlist.
  • Click Add Video(s) in the top-right corner.
  • Click to select each video you would like to add to the playlist.
  • A check will appear next to the video.
  • Click Add to Playlist.

To remove videos from the playlist:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click Playlist.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click to select the video(s) you would like to remove.
  • A checkmark will appear next to the video.
  • Click Remove From Playlist in the bottom-left corner.

To rearrange the order of the playlist:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Switcher Player you would like to edit.
  • Click Playlist.
  • 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 player 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 Switcher Players.
  • Select the player you would like to add a link to.
  • Click Links below the Embed Preview.
  • 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 player.

  • Go to the Switcher Dashboard.
  • Expand Video CMS in the navigation bar.
  • Click Switcher Players.
  • Select the player associated with the video you would like to add a link to.
  • Click Playlist.
  • Click the edit button (pencil icon) 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 Switcher Player

To customize the appearance of a Switcher Player:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Select the player you would like to edit.
  • Click Customization Settings.
  • Click the box next to Enable a custom color palette.
  • Select the colors you would like for each section.
    • Panel Button Background and Link
    • Panel Button Text
    • Logo and Upcoming Background
    • Player Controls
  • Click Save Changes.

How to Access a Switcher Player Page URL

The Switcher Player 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 Switcher Player Page URL:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Select the player you would like to access.
  • The URL will be displayed under the Share Link section.
  • Click Copy Link if you would like to copy the URL.
  • Click Open Player Page to view the Switcher Player webpage.

How to Assign Categories to Videos

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

To Assign a Category with the Switcher Dashboard:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click the desired Switcher Player.
  • Click Playlist.
  • Click the pencil icon next to the video you want to categorize.
  • Select a category from the drop-down under Categories or type a new category in the New Category field and click Add.

How to add a category 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 Save.

How to Add a Thumbnail to a Video

Thumbnail images can be uploaded to display a custom video preview in the Switcher Player's playlist.

To Add a Thumbnail to a Video:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click the desired Switcher Player.
  • Click Playlist.
  • Click the pencil icon next to the video you want to upload a thumbnail for.
  • Click Upload.
  • Select the file.
  • Click Save.

How to Delete a Switcher Player

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

To delete a Switcher Player:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard.
  • Click Switcher Players in the left sidebar.
  • Click the Switcher Player you would like to delete.
  • Click the ellipses (three dots) in the top-right corner.
  • Click Delete.

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