How to upload video to Listenbox
Upload one source video and let Listenbox prepare adaptive HLS and video RSS output for publication.
Listenbox takes one source video and prepares the delivery formats for you. You
do not need to encode a .m3u8 playlist, upload HLS segments, or package them
in a ZIP file. Start with an MP4 or MOV source file; Listenbox creates adaptive
HLS quality variants and the MP4 enclosure used by your video RSS feed.
Uploading and publishing are separate steps. An upload creates or updates a private draft. The episode does not appear in the public feed until you review it and select Publish episode.
Before you upload
You need a video-source podcast and an active video plan. When creating a new podcast, open Podcasts, select Create new podcast, and choose Video as the source type. An audio-source podcast accepts audio files only.
Choose a plan for the highest resolution you want Listenbox to retain:
- Video HD prepares adaptive delivery up to 1080p.
- Video 4K prepares adaptive delivery up to 2160p.
Compare Listenbox video plans before uploading if your team does not have video delivery enabled.
1. Open a new episode
Sign in to the Listenbox dashboard, open your video podcast, and select Episodes. Select New episode to start a private draft.
2. Add the episode details
Enter the title and description listeners should see in podcast apps. Listenbox saves each field when you leave it. If the title is empty when you choose a video, Listenbox uses the source file name without its extension as the draft title; review it before publishing.
You can also add an optional square JPEG or PNG episode image. Episode details and source media can be added independently.
3. Choose the source video
Under Video source, select Choose video file or drop the source video onto the field. Keep the page open while Listenbox shows Preparing file and Uploading source.
Preparation happens in your browser before the upload begins. For a large source file, this stage can take time even before network upload progress appears.
4. Wait for processing
After the source upload finishes, Listenbox begins processing the episode. The page shows the current processing step and progress. During this stage, Listenbox validates the source and builds the hosted video outputs, including the adaptive HLS package and video RSS MP4.
The publication action remains unavailable until the page reports Media ready for publication. Processing time depends on the source duration, resolution, and current system load.
If an upload is interrupted, reopen the Resume upload page and reselect the same original file. Listenbox checks that the file matches the interrupted upload before continuing. If upload or processing fails, read the message under Video source, correct the source or plan issue it identifies, and choose the file again.
5. Review and publish
When the media is ready, review the final title and description in Publication review. Complete any review required by a connected destination, then select Publish episode.
Publishing adds the episode metadata and MP4 enclosure to the video RSS feed. Listenbox keeps the generated HLS package managed as one adaptive delivery asset, so you do not need to maintain variant playlists or media segments.
Apple Podcasts HLS delivery
Uploading the source video is the media-preparation step. Connecting HLS video delivery for Apple Podcasts is a separate account setup step controlled through Apple Podcasts Connect and supported hosting providers. Your title, description, and other podcast metadata remain managed in Listenbox and the main RSS feed.
Follow Apple’s current How to publish video on Apple Podcasts instructions when video delivery becomes available for your show. For help with the Listenbox connection, contact hello@listenbox.app.