Choosing the Best Viewing Options for Panopto Videos in Teaching

Panopto offers several ways to display videos. Use the guidance below to select the best viewing option for your teaching goals.

• Learn About the Features of the Embedded Video Viewer
  Overview of the Panopto player, including layout options, navigation tools, and how students interact with video content.

• How to Change the Format of Panopto Videos
  Step-by-step instructions for adjusting how your video display, including switching between multiple video streams and layouts.

Quick Guide: Which View Should I Use?

• Standard Player (Default)
  Best when both your slides and your on-camera presence are important. Students can view both streams and switch layouts as needed.

• Screenshare Only
  Best for slide-heavy lectures where the visual content is the primary focus and the talking head may be distracting.

• Podcast / Single Stream Formats
  Best for mobile viewing or low-bandwidth situations where a simplified video experience is preferred.

If you’re unsure which option is best for your course, consider starting with the default player and adjusting based on student feedback or the type of content you’re presenting.

Adjusting Video Display Settings

You can customize how your Panopto videos appear to students by adjusting the video output settings. These changes allow you to control which video streams are shown and how content is prioritized.

Screenshare Only

This option displays only your screen share (such as slides) and removes the talking head video from the lower corner.

When To Use This Option

• Your slides or on-screen content contain most of the instructional material

• The talking head video does not add significant value

• You want a cleaner, distraction-free viewing experience

How To Set It Up

To adjust your Panopto video to show only the screen share:

1. Go to Outputs > Video Podcast

2. Update the following settings:

   • Type: Secondary Video Only

   • Quality: 1080p (30 fps)

3. Click Apply

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