Video annotation software: why and how to use it?

Video annotation software is collaborative tools that allow you to include information about videos: text, images, etc. They now play a crucial role in video production management. Why should you use video annotation software? How do you use it? Smartvideo provides some answers in this article.

Why use video annotation software?

Using a video annotation tool to annotate your audiovisual productions allows you to improve your accuracy in time and space. Specifically, it allows you to annotate at the time code of your choice, pin the annotation on the image of the video, and share your comments with the editor. With this tool, you can also have simplified validation of a video and easily initiate exchange dynamics with response systems if needed. You can also receive dated and documented feedback directly with the reviewer's identifier.

Thanks to the video annotation application, you will be able to improve your productivity by centralising the data of your content creation project. It also gives you a clear view of all the stages of your audio or video projects and accelerates video validations. Video annotation software, like that of SmartEVo, allows you to easily plan, execute, and follow your video or audio project. They save you time and help you avoid mistakes that could spoil all the work done beforehand.

How to use the software to add a video annotation?

To insert text with the content creation tool on the video, position yourself on the playback bar of the "Project Annotation" screen. You just need to annotate the video with the text you want. Three types of annotations are possible: time code annotation, sequence annotation or brush annotation. In the first case, you must position the video at the moment you want to make the annotation, enter the comment in the indicated area, and click "Add".

In the second case, you need to pause the video to position yourself at the beginning of the sequence. After entering the comment in the indicated area, a marker will appear on the playback bar. With your mouse, position it on the first bar, move it to the right to select your sequence, and click "Add". In the third case, after positioning yourself at the moment where you want to draw with the brush, pause the video. Then click on the brush in the comment area under the video. Choose the colour and stroke width, surround the desired area, and click "Add". After making all the annotations, click on " Ready for editing " to inform the team that the video can be reworked by the editor. However, if you wish to have the video validated before publication, click on "In validation" to send it for validation. Warning! To annotate your videos with text, you must also consider the best practices of video annotation and use the right tool.

Video annotations: what best practices should be followed?

To annotate your videos or the images contained within them, get straight to the point. An annotation should correspond to a point in the content. Do not try to put all the information on the same image. Otherwise, you will be scattered. If you have multiple pieces of information to put on the same video image, you can annotate it multiple times. The most important thing is to be precise and concise in your text. Avoid embellishments, indirect phrases, and give examples to help the audience understand you. Also, strive to be precise in time and space. Annotate each image or the images at the exact moment, at the right time code, and in the right place. Before publishing your video on any social network, take a step back to evaluate your writing. This allows you to avoid spelling mistakes and ensures that what you've written cannot be interpreted differently. This work is also important to ensure that your text is logical, coherent, and easy to understand.

Which video annotation software to choose for your project?

To choose your annotation software, here are the criteria to consider.

The features and ergonomics of the software

Not all video annotation tools offer the same features. Before making your choice, ensure the application is suitable for the types of tasks defined by your video annotations. Also check that the tool integrates features for tag suggestions. Regarding ergonomics, you need to consider it to ensure a good grasp of the application by your team members. To ensure you have a user-friendly tool, consult the reviews left by users on the product.

The project management interface for annotation

Managing an annotation project is not an easy task, especially when multiple team members are involved. In this specific case, the management interface must offer the features required to allow the team leader to track the progress of the project. This also allows them to provide quality follow-up and assign files or documents to the annotators more easily.

User Experience (UX)

The UX is also an important aspect in choosing video annotation tools. It facilitates the learning of the tool for the annotator and the other team members. The video annotation software of your choice should therefore include certain UX criteria such as the management of long texts, multiple tags, text readability, and annotations, etc. Among the tools that meet all these criteria, the Smartvideo annotation software stands out.

Smartevo: a unique video annotation tool

Smartevo offers a video annotation tool that can be used by both professionals in the field and those who are not. It allows several entities to collaborate on the same project: editors, communication staff, marketing personnel, etc.

This tool facilitates collaborative work among teams and saves precious time when considering client feedback and stakeholders. This solution is also suitable for all video content producers: agencies, directors, editors, producers, etc.

It is suitable for all stakeholders in audiovisual production because it effectively manages all the crucial steps of video creation. It has all the necessary features to produce a striking video, to validate each stage of production and manage post-production properly.

The features of SmartEvo also allow it to be adapted to organizations that require internal video production or outsourcing. It can also be used to create impactful videos that improve customer loyalty or create demand among them.

It is also very useful for producing videos intended to be broadcast online or on other media. Thanks to its features, SmartEvo can also meet the needs of administrations, television stations, production companies, clubs, federations, and sports leagues. To access it, visit the site smartevo.ai.