Unable to upload PDF to Screencast - Anyone else?
This morning I have been attempting to upload a PDF file to Screencast (which I have done many times in the past) and am receiving an error that the file type is not allowed. I have reviewed help articles which state that PDF is an allowable document type.
Anyone else having this issue?
Anyone found a way to make this work?
-
Official comment
Hello,
PDF files are only supported as an attachment to media. The primary goal of Screencast is to allow sharing of displayable content, so in other words images and videos. Content like PDFs, text files, and spreadsheets can be used to supplement that content, but since we can't display them they are not permitted as the main content.
Could you describe what your workflow is around PDF uploads? Our team is eager to take feedback on this newly implemented restriction.
Regards,
Paul Stanos
Screencast.com Engineer
-
Hi,
So we upload a recorded webinar for people to view - but they also need/want to see the slide deck as a way to take notes/follow along, etc. Typically we upload the video, and then we upload the PDF. We don't allow for the Video to be downloaded, but people could download the PDF if they so chose.
When was this change implemented? Is there any way to be able to put the file there for download?
0 -
The change to disallow non-media types for the main content was implemented on Thursday, October 7th.
Based on your use case, it seems like attachments might work well for you. To upload something as an attachment, first expand the 'Details' pane when viewing your uploaded recording, then click the 'Add' button next to the 'Attachments' heading and upload your PDF file. Here's a screenshot showing how to get to the upload dialog: https://www.screencast.com/t/YMUJPu9W35
Once your attachment has been added, viewers can download it by clicking the button next to the attachment in the 'Details' pane. Here is a screenshot of where that button is: https://www.screencast.com/t/cfULweJFW
Let me know if you have any questions regarding this workflow!
Regards,
Paul Stanos
Screencast.com Engineer
1 -
Yeah, that option isn't intuitive for users to easily get to the download. This option is not one that will work for us. Is there any chance the file options could be returned to how they were? Without being able to do this I am going to be forced to look for other options.
0 -
Hi Learningexperiencedesignteam,
Thanks for jumping in with your question and feedback. I want to make sure we set realistic expectations - the Screencast.com service is for consuming video and images, and there isn't much chance of that changing. Hosting download-only files would be like YouTube taking PDFs. If you have files that you're just trying to share for download, media hosting services like Screencast, Vimeo, YouTube, Stream, etc just aren't built for that. That's why we tried to address your workflow by having accompanying attachments that "go with" a video you're watching.
That said, maybe we're missing something. How do you get people the link for your download files, along with the video they're watching? We thought having it "attached" to the video would be helpful, but if you're not doing that, how do they get the link?
0 -
I agree. Please bring back the ability to upload PDFs. We've been a Screencast.com customer for many years and value the ability to upload images, videos, and PDFs for our clients to review. I typically put all the content in a folder and grant our clients various levels of access. It's worked fabulously for years. Why try to fix something that wasn't broken? More important, why venture into "red ocean" (be one of the pack) when Screencast stood apart in "blue ocean" territory due to permitting customers to upload a variety of media that other platforms can't accommodate? It was a key point of differentiation for Screencast. What gives?
0 -
Put me on the list as well for wanting the PDF upload ability back.
Totally agree with Gerry, that is exactly what we would do. We would post a couple of hours worth of training videos and then have a folder full of the accompanying PDF guides to go with it. You wouldn't get the password to the guides and handouts until you watched the first video.
My concern now is that the higher ups within the business will say "your telling me that you need two totally different hosting sites? One just for videos and one just for documents?" and they will move us entirely away from screencast and techsmith.
2 -
I couldn't agree more, you have crippled what was a wonderful tool, that I have used for training materials with Camtasia sucessfully for well over a decade.
We have many instruments supported by video instruction with associated white papers, application notes, technical notes that are utilized by our customers all over the globe.
It appears to me that you have just uttered the infamous "So where else are you going to go." to which I say just wait and see.
1 -
Please bring back the PDF upload capacity. That is one of the main reasons we have a Screencast account, and it's useless without that option.
0 -
I agree with those who would want the platform again to have the capacity to house PDF documents as well. As long as it's within the purchased capacity what's the harm. I would have to find another option to provide a robust solution to manage communication with our clients.
1
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments