Audio and video (NVivo 13 Windows)

Import or create audio/video files with transcripts, play and code media or text, embed or link files, and work with transcripts even if media is unavailable.

Feb 12, 2026
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Audio and video (NVivo 13 Windows)

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Related material

Play audio and video (NVivo 13 Windows)

Audio and video transcripts

Create transcripts

Import transcripts

Transcription options

NVivo Transcription

Audio and video (NVivo 13 Windows)

You can import audio and video files into NVivo and code and annotate time ranges or transcribed text. YouTube videos are also handled.

Video and audio files consist of the media file itself and, optionally, a text 'transcript'. This can be a transcription of the spoken words, notes you have made, or a combination of both. Transcripts are displayed in tables identifying time ranges within the media.

You can import transcripts or create them in NVivo.

NOTE NVivo Transcription is an automated, online transcription service integrated into NVivo. It provides accurate, real-time transcripts delivered directly into the program.

Opened video files are displayed in three sections, as shown below (the video section is not present for audio files).

cn_video_source_JR3

1Audio timeline—a timeline of the file's audio. Select time ranges to code or annotate here.

2Video—for videos only, displays the video in sync with the audio timeline above.

3Transcript—text associated with the media file, displayed in timestamped rows. You can edit the text and code and annotate it here. If required, add columns to show additional information—for example, speakers (see Add custom fields to transcripts).

What media file formats can I import?

Audio

MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 format (mp3)
MPEG-4 audio format (m4a)
Microsoft Windows Media formats (wma, wav)

Video

MPEG formats (mpg, mpeg, mpe, mp4)
Windows Media formats ( avi, wmv)
QuickTime formats (mov, qt)
3G Mobile Phone format (3gp)
AVCHD High Definition Video formats (mts, m2ts)

Codecs

NVivo relies on third-party codec software to decode media files. If suitable codecs are not installed on your computer you will not be able to import some files, even if they are in supported formats. In this case you need to install a suitable codec pack.

We suggest a package such as K-Lite Basic: https://files3.codecguide.com/K-Lite_Codec_Pack_1499_Basic.exe

NOTE The link above opens Windows/File Explorer to immediately start the download. Or you can go to the K-Lite download site here: https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

Alternatively, any of the codec packages at this Softpedia web site should work.

After installing a codec pack, close and reopen NVivo and try importing your files again. If the issue persists, try another codec pack.

DISCLAIMER Lumivero provides the sites linked to above as a convenience and their inclusion does not imply approval or support by Lumivero. As the sites are outside Lumivero’s control, you therefore agree that Lumivero is not responsible for their contents, any links they contain or any changes made to them.

Import an audio or video file

In Navigation View, click the name of the files folder that you want to import the audio or video into.
On the Import tab, click Files.
Browse for and select the file you want to import.
Click Open.
Click Import.
(Optional) Change the name or enter a description of the audio or video file.
(Optional) Click the Audio or Video tab to set options for storing the media file—you can embed it in the project or store it outside the project on your computer or a network.
Click OK.

NOTE

If you receive a message indicating that the media file cannot be imported, check that it is in a supported format. If it is, you may need codec software.
If the audio or video contains the responses of a particular case, you may want to code the entire media file at a new case—click the More button, and then select the Code files at cases located under check box.
- The new cases are added at the root level of the Coding folder, unless you click Select and specify an alternative location.
- If you want to classify the new cases—click the Select button and choose the classification. All attributes will be set to default values.
You can import multiple files at the same time.

Tips for importing

If you want to edit audio or video material, you will need to do this before importing it into NVivo. For example, you might want to import only a short segment from a longer video, or hide the identity of participants. Determine what editing software you will use and check the equipment manuals for information about downloading media files from a recorder to your computer.
Consider where you want to store your media files. If you are going to work with large video or audio files, you may want to store them outside of your project.
If you want to import transcripts for your audio or video files, ensure that they are correctly formatted. Audio and video transcripts
If you want to create cases for your audio and video files as you import them, your files should be appropriately named.

What can I do in an audio or video file?

When working in an audio or video file you can:

Create a transcript—you can transcribe the media in NVivo yourself, you can import an existing transcript, or you can have your media file transcribed using the integrated transcription service NVivo Transcription. If you don't need a transcript, you can leave it blank (and hide it if you want to).
Play, pause, forward and rewind the media—you can go to an exact location using the timeline
Code the media directly on the timeline or code the text in the Content column of the transcript
Annotate the media directly on the timeline or annotate text in the Content column of the transcript.
Create see-also links from the timeline or text in the Content column of the transcript

In audio and video sources you can code:

A section of the media via the timeline
Text in the Content column of a transcript

cn_select_content_video

Can I work with the transcript only?

You can work with a transcript, even if the audio or video is not available. For example, if:

You are working in the field and the media is stored on a network drive at the office.
You are working with a video file containing YouTube content, but are not connected to the Internet.

When you open an existing audio or video file where the content is not available, you are prompted to work without the audio or video. If you choose this option, the file opens and you can work with the transcript.

You can also create an audio or video file without the media content. This is useful in situations where you have a transcript, but do not have the original recording.

Work on the transcript and import media content later

You can create an NVivo audio or video file without importing the actual media file. You can work on the transcript and import the file later on.

In the blank area of the List View, open the context menu and select New File > New Audio or New Video.

The new audio or video file is opened in edit mode and you can add content to the transcript.

Import media content into an audio or video file

Open the audio or video file and put into edit mode.
On the Edit tab, click Media Content.

Where are media files stored?

The media content in an imported audio or video file can be embedded in the project or stored outside the project on your computer or network. Saving outside the project is useful if you have many or large files—if stored in the project it can impact project performance. If you move an externally stored media file, you need to update its link to the NVivo audio or video file.

The way you work with audio and video (coding, linking and annotating) is the same whether the media file is embedded or stored externally.

Store a media file outside the project

Select the NVivo audio or video file (that contains the media file) in the List View.
On the Home tab, in the Item menu, select Audio or Video Properties.
Open the Audio or Video tab.
Under Media, select Not Embedded - file location, then Browse to specify the location for the stored media file.

Update the file location for a single media file

If you move an externally stored media file to a new location, you need to re-link it in NVivo:

In the List View, select the NVivo audio or video file.
On the Home tab, in the Item menu, click Update Media File Location.
Locate and select the file in its new location.
Click Open.

NOTE If you have moved a media file, an error message will prompt you to relink the file.

Update the file location for multiple media files

If you have moved a folder of media files to a new location, you can re-link them as a group:

In the List View, select the NVivo audio or video files that reference the relocated media files.
On the Home tab, in the Item menu, click Update Media File Location
Select the new folder that contains the media files.
Click OK.

NOTE A message is displayed listing any media files that cannot be found in the selected folder.

Work without media content

If your media files are stored outside the NVivo project there may be times when you do not have access to them—e.g. you are disconnected from the network where they are stored.

You can still work with audio/video transcripts, even if the media is not available.

Double-click the NVivo audio or video file in the List View. An error message is displayed.
Select Work without media file.
(Optional) Select Remember this for current NVivo Project Session to work without any unavailable media files during the current session.

Working with YouTube videos

YouTube videos imported into projects are not embedded in the project or stored externally—they are linked to the videos on YouTube.

You need an internet connection and Internet Explorer 10 (or later) to play the video in NVivo. You can still work with the video transcript (if you have created one) without an internet connection.

You can work with a video file from YouTube in the same way as you would a video file containing imported media—however, there are few minor differences. For videos files from YouTube:

You cannot display a waveform.
You cannot adjust the playback speed.
The video size always scales to fit the player window.

NOTE You cannot embed a YouTube video in NVivo. You create a video file that links to the original content on the YouTube website. This is a restriction that is imposed by YouTube.

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NVR1Win-Content-files-audio-and-videos