Kaltura decommission and transition to EchoVideo

What is happening?

In accordance with the UQ Technology Master Plan decision to retire Kaltura: From 15 July 2024 Kaltura will be replaced by the EchoVideo Deep Linking tool for embedding videos in Learn.UQ and student video submissions.

For Semester 2 2024 all videos hosted in Kaltura will be moved automatically to EchoVideo and re-linked to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) and UQ Extend courses (no action required from the UQ course coordinators). Kaltura will no longer be available in Learn.UQ for embedding videos and student video assignment submission.

Kaltura will not be available in Learn.UQ for embedding videos and student video assignment submission from the start of Semester 2 2024.

Starting Semester 1 2024, UQ teaching staff were advised to use Echo360 instead of Kaltura for embedding videos in Learn.UQ (Blackboard), student video assignment submission and for desktop recording.

Project Timeline

Semester 1 2024: Communications, testing and change management (newsletter articles, school/faculty presentations, emails)
1 July 2024: Kaltura will be switched to read-only mode.
Inter-semester break 1-14 July 2024: Vendor migration (copy from Kaltura) and relink/re-embed all videos as Echo (including staff recordings and student submissions) – during inter-semester break 2024, approximately 2 weeks 1-14 July (no action required from the UQ users' side)
31 December 2024: Kaltura is decommissioned.

Why was it decided to decommission Kaltura and transition to EchoVideo?

The UQ Technology Master Plan process decided that UQ should retire Kaltura as soon as possible because of recent improvements to Echo which now offers very similar functionality to Kaltura. Rationalising our video systems will simplify environment for teaching staff, and students, reduce support complexity, and save money.

How was it decided?

The retirement of Kaltura was decided as part of the ITS Technology Master planning process at the end of 2023. To learn more please visit the UQ Technology Master Plan page.

Which video servers are available for teaching at UQ?

Kaltura, is a UQ video (and audio) server. It allows staff to upload videos directly into Learn.UQ (Blackboard). Students can play video files live from inside the course (variable rate streaming) or by downloading them. Kaltura is also used by students for the submission of videos to a Blackboard assignment. Kaltura also includes basic video editing tools, a webcam recording tool and a desktop recording tool.

Echo360 is UQ's lecture recording system and includes a video (and audio) server. Teaching spaces across UQ's campuses are fitted with equipment to record lectures automatically based on the timetable. The recordings are automatically made available to students through the Lecture Recordings link in their Learn.UQ course site. Zoom recordings can also be configured to automatically publish to Echo through the Lecture Recordings link. Echo360 also has the same desktop recording capability as Kaltura, embedding videos in Learn.UQ. Echo now has video assignment submission functionality.

Can I continue to use Kaltura during 2024?

Yes, teaching staff can continue to use Kaltura throughout Semester 1 - 2024 for desktop recording, however you are strongly encouraged to start adopting Echo360. Kaltura will not be available in Learn.UQ for embedding videos and student video assignment submission from the start of Semester 2 2024.

View all Frequently Asked Questions

Staff communications

Completed

16 April 2024: Newsletter articel recommending Echo over Kaltura for students video assignments
12 March 2024: Newsletter article recommending Echo over Kaltura for students video assignments
28 February 2024: eLearning Update forum: Advising that Kaltura will be decomissioned.
5 February 2024: What's new in eLearning session: Advising that Kaltura will be decomissioned.
29 January 2024: Newsletter article recommending Echo over Kaltura
Pre-semester 1, 2024: Direct emails and meetings with school and faculty learning designers.

Planned

30 April - 5 May 2024: Impact message informing that Kaltura will be decomissioned and videos migrated to Echo360
7 May 2024: Newsletter article advising that Kaltura will be decomissioned and offering additional information
7 May 2024: UQ Update article advising that Kaltura will be decomissioned and offering additional information
20 May 2024: UQ Update article advising that Kaltura will be switched to Read-only mode as of 1 July 2024
27 May 2024: Impact message advising that Kaltura will be switched to Read-only mode as of 1 July 2024
8 - 22 July 2024: Impact message unforming that the transition is completed
15 July 2024: Newsletter article unforming that the transition is completed
22 July 2024: UQ Update article
Throughout 2024: Regular updates will be provided on the changes through Teaching and Elearning News, Elearning Update, and Elearning Operational Forum.