Ziflow supports a wide range of file types, including video and audio. You can use all of Ziflow's markup and annotation tools to comment and provide feedback.
Available on: Free Standard Pro Enterprise
Ziflow does not support playable embedded video content in static file formats.
Original vs optimized video quality
If a video proof qualifies for immediate playback, you can use the Original version of the video file while Ziflow prepares an Optimized version in the background for smoother playback and faster loading.
Use the quality button in the Proof Viewer to switch between the two:
- Original — the uploaded file, unprocessed.
- Optimized — Ziflow's processed version, built for playback performance. ReviewAI also requires optimized video files to run.
Once the optimized version is ready, the Proof Viewer opens with Optimized version by default. You can switch back to Original at any time.
Which video formats can display in original version
Whether the original version of a video is available for playback depends on your account settings and the type of video file.
Account settings
Immediate playback requires all of the following:
- Enable Immediate video proof access in Settings > Proofing Settings > General.
- Verify the video's resolution doesn't exceed your account's Video proofing resolution setting (Settings > Proofing Settings > General): Full HD (1920 × 1080) or 4K (3840 × 2160).
- Disable Video watermark in Settings > Proofing Settings > Video watermark. See Video Watermark in Ziflow.
If any of these conditions is not met, Ziflow must process the video before you can open it.
Supported container and codec combinations
To playback the original version immediately, the video's container and codecs must match one of the combinations Ziflow can serve directly:
| Container | Video codec | Audio codec |
|---|---|---|
| MPEG-4 | H.264, AVC, AVC1 | AAC, MPEG Audio, Opus |
| WebM | VP8, VP9, AV1 | Vorbis, Opus |
Videos in any other container or codec combination go through processing before you can open them.
Video and audio Proof Viewer
The Video and Audio Proof Viewer is designed to look and feel the same as the standard Proof Viewer, with a few different features.
Volume & mute - Increase, decrease, or mute the sound.
Timer and time format - the first set of numbers shows the time elapsed, followed by the total length of the video. Choose the timer format:
Time: Uses standard clock format (00:29:030 - minutes/seconds/milliseconds)
Time Code: Uses SMPTE standard (00:05:27 - minutes/seconds/frames)
Frames: Uses the frame number (177/900 - frame/total frames)
For more information about time format, see Time, timecode, and frames in video proofs.Range-based comments - if you need to add a comment that refers to some part of the audio/video file, you can adjust the starting and ending point of the comment by moving comment indicators. The indicators' range timeline will be additionally added next to the comment. Every comment (with or without range added) will show a timestamp beneath the video progress bar. Every comment timestamp shows the avatar or initials of the person who added the comment.
Play/Pause & Skip to the next/previous frames - The play/pause button allows you to start and stop the video. Alternatively, you can hit the space bar, which will work like clicking the play/pause button.
Use Left and right arrows to skip a video to the next/previous frame.
Use Shift + arrow to skip 15 frames in the video (paused and during playback).Playback speed - click this button to increase or decrease video speed.
Video quality - set the video quality - for more information, see Original vs optimized video quality.
Subtitles - if subtitles were added during proof creation, this button will let reviewers switch them on/off during video playback.
Safe zones (Standard, Pro, Business Legacy & Enterprise feature only) - let you see how the video will look with different safe areas displayed on the video image.
Loop - this button allows you to put a video on a loop, and it will start the video automatically once it reaches the end.
Full-screen mode - opens a video in full-screen mode.
Add range-based comments
When commenting on an audio or video file, you can select a specific range on the timeline to define the start and end points your comment refers to.
Ranges-based comment timestamp saved within the comment
When leaving comments using the range-based commenting feature, a timestamp is automatically saved within the comment. This helps provide context for reviewers and makes it easier to track changes.
Refine range-based comments to a single frame
Hold Shift while dragging comment markers to adjust the start and end points precisely.
Adjust the whole range of a range-based comment
To adjust the range of a range-based comment, hover over the green line under the time lane and drag it.
Switch between the start and the end of a range-base comment
To move the playhead to the start or end of a range-based comment, click the left or right edge of the range. The playhead will jump to that point.
Loop playback while creating a range-based comment
When you select a range and create a comment, pressing play will play only that portion of the video. Enable loop playback to have the selected range repeat automatically.
To explore parts of the video outside your selected range, click and drag the comment range to cover the section you want to view. You can also hover over the timeline to preview thumbnails beyond the selected range.
Time, timecode, and frames in video proofs
The Proof Viewer timer displays your position in a video proof three ways: Time, Time Code, and Frames. Each format describes the same moment at a different level of precision, based on your file's frame rate.
Frame rate is how many frames play per second, measured in frames per second (fps).
Time
Time shows your position in minutes, seconds, and milliseconds (example: 00.05.930). Because each frame occupies a short duration, multiple millisecond values correspond to a single frame depending on the video's timing and playback precision.
Time code
Time code displays the minute, second, and the frame within that second. Ziflow's time code follows the SMPTE standard (MM:SS:FF). For example 00:05:27 is 5 seconds have elapsed and 27 frames within the fifth second.
Frames
Frames count every image in the video in one continuous sequence, from the first to the last. A 30-second video recorded at 30 fps contains about 900 frames. Switch the timer to Frames, and pausing shows you one number: which frame, out of the total, you're looking at.
Video subtitles
Add a subtitle to the video when creating a proof review to comment on subtitles synced with the video.
Ziflow supports .srt and .vtt subtitles.
Export video proof report
When exporting a proof report to PDF from a video proof with subtitles, the exported file includes captions displayed below the markup thumbnail. For more information, see Export proof report or PDF with comments.
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