> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ascendott.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to upload videos

> Upload a video to your AscendOTT site—step-by-step with screenshots.

> Prerequisites: You have a content creator/admin account and a video file in a supported format.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Upload Content" icon="layout-dashboard">
    ### Uploading Content

    To upload a new video, follow these steps:

    1. Go to the **Content Management** tab.
    2. Select **Content** from the menu.
    3. Click the **Add Video** icon.
    4. After clicking **Add Video**, you can **drag and drop** the video file or **select files from your local machine**.
    5. **Choose Encoding Resolution(s):** Select one or multiple resolutions (270p, 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p) for the video to be uploaded.
       Tick **Encrypted Encoding** to prevent piracy.

    **Note:** If the video is a promo or trailer, **do not enable encryption**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Built-in HLS Encoder" icon="rocket">
    ### Built-in HLS Encoder

    AscendOTT comes with a **built-in HLS encoder**, which eliminates the need for third-party media converters such as **AWS Elemental MediaConvert**.

    **Key Benefits:**

    * **Integrated Encoding** — No external setup required.
    * **Multiple Resolutions** — Supports 270p, 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p.
    * **Encryption Support** — Protect your content by enabling encrypted encoding.
    * **Cost Saving** — Avoids additional expenses from third-party encoding services.

    **Result:**
    Your uploaded video is automatically processed into adaptive bitrate streaming formats (HLS) for smooth playback across devices.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Encrypted Content Delivery" icon="lock">
    ### Encrypted Content Delivery

    To ensure content security and prevent piracy, AscendOTT supports **encrypted media encoding and delivery**.

    **Key Features:**

    * **Secure Encoding** — Videos can be encoded in an encrypted format during upload.
    * **Protected Playback** — Only authorized viewers can access and watch the content.
    * **Anti-Piracy** — Encrypted delivery prevents illegal downloads, screen scraping, and unauthorized sharing.
    * **Flexible Application** — Recommended for premium content. Promo or trailer videos can remain unencrypted.

    **Result:**
    Your content is securely delivered to end-users while minimizing piracy risks.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Tips

* Large files: keep the browser tab open until the upload finishes.
* Recommended formats: MP4 (H.264/AAC) for widest compatibility; AV1/H.265 if your audience devices support them.
* If you see “CORS” or “Forbidden” errors during upload, verify the admin domain and API base URL for your tenant.