Skip to Main Content
University of York Library
Library Subject Guides

Learning Technology - Practical Guide

Getting started with Replay/Panopto

Available resources to assist with students during their time at University.

Getting started with Replay/Panopto

Replay is the main way that tutors create video content for your modules - this might be lecture recordings, demonstrations, feedback on sessions or other useful content.

Panopto is the software that plays these videos (usually through a module's VLE site). It has features to help you study effectively, like notes, bookmarks and searches.

Top tip! Use the right browser - we recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
If you're using Chrome v86 (or newer), you'll need to enable cookies [Google Doc]

Watch lecture recordings and other videos with Replay

Key guides to get started with Replay/Panopto

Detailed advice on using Replay and the Panopto app:

Also see our guide to using Replay to study for more practical tips:

Accessing Replay Recordings

There are a few different ways to access Replay recordings:

  • Many VLE module sites have an item in the left-hand menu labelled 'Replay Content', which opens a folder containing all of the module's Replay videos.
  • Individual videos may be added to VLE module sites on the relevant page/place to watch them (as on this site).
  • Your lecturer may give you a direct link to the Replay folder containing all of the module's Replay videos, or links to specific videos.
  • You can also use the Panopto app to access module recordings - see below for more details.

The image below shows the Replay folder in a VLE module site, with a list of all the module's videos. The Replay Content item is highlighted in the left-hand menu. 

Described in text.

Watching Replay Recordings

There are different ways to watch Panopto recordings:

  • In a VLE site's Replay Content folder, click the video's title to open it in the Panopto video player.
  • For a video embedded in a VLE module page (like the ones on this page), click the triangle icon to play. You can use the icons in the bottom right to open it in the Panopto video player, or to watch in full screen.
  • If you're using the Blackboard app, you might need to log in before watching a video - do this with your usual University username and password.
  • On a mobile device, you can watch videos using the Panopto app (see below).

If you have problems accessing videos, try logging into Panopto [Webpage] directly, then refreshing your VLE page.

You can adjust various settings in the Panopto video player, such as playback speed and captions.

Panopto app

If you're using a mobile device, you may have a better experience using the Panopto app to view and download videos (you can still watch videos in the browser though):

The first time you log in, you'll need to enter your University of York details correctly - instructions are in the guides below.

Once you've opened the app, you can browse videos for each of your modules, watch them in the app or download for later.

Get the most out of Panopto's features

If you watch a video in the Panopto player, you can access useful features to help you study effectively and interact with other students.

To access them, open the video the Panopto and you'll find them on the left of the Panopto video player.

  • You can Search for words that appear in the video, to help you find the information you need.
  • Notes are personal to you and can't be seen by other students.
  • Bookmarks are reminders so you can find a point quickly again (these are also personal to you). You can see your bookmarks in all videos by clicking the 'See all your bookmarks link.
  • Discussions let you post comments and questions that can be seen by everyone who can access the video. This space is for students to learn collaboratively - your lecturer won't answer questions posted here.

Replay/Panopto troubleshooting

Help with common issues

Many issues encountered with Replay/Panopto can be resolved by these steps:

  • Make sure you're using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser.
  • Clear your cookies and cache.
  • Adjust your cookie settings (for Google Chrome)
  • Disable any ad-blockers

More details on how to do this:

Also check that your set up meets Panopto's system requirements:

Log into the correct version

The University uses two versions of Replay/Panopto:

  1. one version for University staff and students that use Blackboard/Yorkshare.
  2. one version for York Online distance learning students that use Canvas.

Make sure you log into the right version! Find out more in this guide:

Low audio?

  • Check your device’s audio levels and try wearing headphones.
  • Check to see if there’s any comments in the video description mentioning that we’re aware of an issue. If there isn’t a comment please contact us to let us know using the link below.