Forum Discussion
WebM format
Hello! I updated Storyline this morning. Now, when I open a course, it automatically converts my MP4 files to WebM. Why is it converting the video files?
I see that Apple's Safari does not support WebM. If I design a course with a WebM video embedded, will it play on an iPhone or MacBook?
Hey Community,
Articulate heard us and is rolling back the automatic conversion to WebM.
We shipped a recent Storyline 360 update that introduced a behind-the-scenes change: we started making copies of MP4 videos in the WebM format. The goal was to make video playback inside the app more reliable. MP4 support has always been a bit of a tightrope for us because the format sits on top of a tangle of proprietary codecs and licensing constraints. That makes it tough to keep Storyline’s internal playback components modern and stable. WebM, on the other hand, is open, predictable, and much easier for us to support.
Once this change landed in real projects, though, the side effects became obvious: it's confusing and can lead to projects carrying both formats when you never asked for that.
So here’s what we’re doing: we’re rolling back the automatic conversion in an upcoming update. You can still import WebM videos if you want them, we just won’t force the format switch on your behalf.
If you ran into this and spoke up, thank you. That feedback helped us adjust fast and rethink our approach.
Jesse T., Director of Engineering - Articulate
9 Replies
Also, we use Cornerstone LMS. They recommend MP4 and "WebM" is not listed at all. I'm I about to run into a playability issue with my LMS?
I'm not sure why that's happening, but as for playability, you're fine. See Can I Use.
I have seen the same. Every time I open any course, or reopen a course I recently closed, I get the message:
I can be working on the course for 2 hours, save it, come back later, reopen it, and get the message again. It seems it shouldn't need to be done every time you open the course.
I get this too. Why does it convert again if the video was already converted the first time?
Hello CarolDungan-c47,
I see that my colleague Jesse followed up with you in this discussion. We'll continue the conversation there if any other questions come up!
I'm seeing that message also. Here is what is happening: https://www.articulatesupport.com/article/Storyline-360-WebM-Support
Thanks!
Hi,
I wrote a long rant about this yesterday and I cannot find it anymore. Either it was too rtude (sorry!) or I did not send it off properly in my anger.
My main issue is that it bulks up the .story files (and the resulting SCORM packages) massively! How does a webm video which is four times the size of my steamlined mp4 files (I put a lot of effort into that!) load faster? My harddisk is getting swamped, some of my .story files are over 1 GB now, thanks to the forced conversion. I am really quite p... that Articulate do not even give us a choice but just start converting without asking. I cannot even stop it!
Hey Community,
Articulate heard us and is rolling back the automatic conversion to WebM.
We shipped a recent Storyline 360 update that introduced a behind-the-scenes change: we started making copies of MP4 videos in the WebM format. The goal was to make video playback inside the app more reliable. MP4 support has always been a bit of a tightrope for us because the format sits on top of a tangle of proprietary codecs and licensing constraints. That makes it tough to keep Storyline’s internal playback components modern and stable. WebM, on the other hand, is open, predictable, and much easier for us to support.
Once this change landed in real projects, though, the side effects became obvious: it's confusing and can lead to projects carrying both formats when you never asked for that.
So here’s what we’re doing: we’re rolling back the automatic conversion in an upcoming update. You can still import WebM videos if you want them, we just won’t force the format switch on your behalf.
If you ran into this and spoke up, thank you. That feedback helped us adjust fast and rethink our approach.
Jesse T., Director of Engineering - Articulate
