Viewers can enable available audio descriptions in the player controls. Play the video below and enable the audio description to listen to an example.
Order audio descriptions
Note
Standard and extended audio descriptions are available to order on all paid Wistia plans.
To order a new audio description for your video, click the "Customize" menu on the media overview page and select "Audio description." Wistia provides options to order one of two types of audio descriptions:
(Standard) audio description: Narrates scenes while your video is playing.
Extended audio description: Video automatically pauses to narrate scenes in more detail.
Once you’ve selected an audio description type, click "Order" to open the menu to order an English audio description.
Note
Only English audio descriptions are available for order at this time.
In the ordering modal, you can choose between AI audio descriptions, and professional audio descriptions. The cost per minute depends on standard or extended, and AI or professional.
The glossary box is where you can add spelling for terms such as product names, people, and acronyms.
You can also choose whether or not to automatically enable audio descriptions when they are complete.
Upload audio descriptions
To upload an existing audio description to your video, open the Customize menu on the media overview page and select Audio description.
In the Upload tab, select a language from the dropdown menu, then drag and drop or click into the modal to upload an audio description from your device.
You can also select None, not needed for videos that don’t require audio descriptions. Selecting this option will remove the accessibility warning for missing audio descriptions.
Accepted file types
Wistia accepts MP3, OGG, and WAV files for audio description uploads. You can add as many audio descriptions as needed to accommodate multiple languages.
Manage audio descriptions
Click the ellipsis menu next to any existing audio description to download, edit, or delete it from your video.
Audio description limitations
Audio descriptions are only compatible with HLS playback (i.e., the assets we use for adaptive streaming). If the player serves an MP4 file instead, audio descriptions will not work. This can occur in rare instances of an encoding error or in older browsers where HLS is not supported. If that’s the case, let us know at [email protected].
Audio description files must match the duration of the video file.
Audio description files must contain both the original audio of the video and your description. If viewers choose to enable audio descriptions in the player, it will play as an alternate audio track for your video.
Record your own audio description
If you're interested in learning how to create your own audio description, our very own video producer Chris breaks it all down in the video below: