A Multimedia File is a media type for audio and video content that plays inside the learning platform's built-in player. Unlike a generic File, which just gets downloaded or opened externally, a Multimedia File is streamed and controlled by the platform itself, so playback looks and behaves the same no matter what device or operating system the learner is on.
What it is
A Multimedia File object stores an uploaded audio or video file and shows it to learners through an embedded player. The platform handles the buffering, the controls, and the rendering, so there's nothing external for the learner to deal with.
Typical use cases
Recorded lectures and expert talks fall into this category, along with podcasts, narrated summaries, and language-learning audio. Screen recordings for software demos or tutorials work the same way, as do onboarding videos like welcome messages or role-specific briefings.
A Multimedia File is passive: the learner watches or listens, nothing more. A SCORM WBT is the opposite case, an interactive package with branching, quizzes, and its own tracking data, built across multiple slides.
Video quality and hosting
For video, the system distinguishes between normal quality and HD. Normal quality suits mobile devices on a slower connection, while HD is meant for desktop use. A video doesn't have to be uploaded at all: if it already exists online, on YouTube for instance, a URL can be entered instead of a file. The built-in player supports webm, aac, mp4, mp3, ogg und x-m4v.
Display
When a Multimedia File is added to a course, the course room shows either the source link or the uploaded file directly. In the catalogue and other split-screen views, it shows up as a preview instead.
Classification and skills
A Multimedia File can be classified, and skills can be attached to it like any other content type.
Metatag "Permit multimedia download" (ID=11101): controls whether a multimedia file, meaning a video, can be downloaded or only streamed.