When sharing files in MediaLab, you can control whether recipients have access to the original source file or only to a lower-quality preview. Available options depend on the file type.

Video

For videos, MediaLab automatically creates preview files (usually lower quality than the source) for online playback. If you share a video without Download source rights:

• Recipients can only stream the preview file.
• The source file cannot be downloaded from MediaLab.

Example A 1-hour Blu-ray 1080p video (17 GB, 38 Mbit/s bitrate) might have a preview file of about 460 MB (1 Mbit/s MP4, H.264). Sharing without source download rights means the recipient only streams the 460 MB version, not the 17 GB original.

Exception: If your source already matches our preview specifications, the source may be used for preview playback. See the article on Downloading Preview Files for more details.

Audio & Images

• Audio files are converted into MP3 previews.
• Images (including PSDs) are converted into JPG previews.

If your source matches the preview specifications, see Downloading Preview Files for more information.

Office Documents & Other Files

For file types like Office documents, ZIP files, or executables, preview creation may not be possible. In these cases, sharing will include the source file.

• A placeholder file icon will be shown.
• A Download button will be available to retrieve the source file.

For Office documents, MediaLab will attempt to generate a PDF preview. However, this may not always match the original (e.g., large Excel sheets). In these cases, the source file remains downloadable.

Custom Formats (Enterprise Feature)

Enterprise customers can configure custom transcode presets for sharing. For example, a custom HD preset can be created for videos, enabling you to share special formats with stakeholders instead of standard previews.