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If your Box account includes video previewing, you’ll see the annotation button on the left side of the video player controls.
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When you’re viewing video files on the Box web app or on your mobile device, the Video Annotation feature enables you to:
  • Add timestamped comments.
  • Annotate specific parts of a frame and add comments.
  • Review comment details in the activity feed with a timestamp.
  • Add @mentions to teammates in comments.
  • Receive email notifications with comment details and a direct link to the exact location in the video.
  • View enhanced video player with quick five-second play forward and backward controls.
When you @mention someone or add a comment, the recipient receives an email containing the comment text, timestamp, and a link that opens the video at the exact location referenced.

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Adding an annotation

Box enables you to add any number of annotations at the same timeframe. During playback, annotations remain hidden and don’t obscure the video. To add an annotation to a video file:
  1. In Box Preview, open a video file.
  2. In the video control panel, click the annotation button. The video pauses.
  3. If you’re on the Box WebApp, draw a freeform or square annotation and select a color. If you’re on Android, draw a freeform or square annotation and select a color. If you’re on iOS, draw a freeform or square annotation and select a color.
  4. Type comment text, and optionally @mention a teammate.
  5. Click Save. The comment and timestamp appear in the activity feed.

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Adding a comment

To add a timestamped comment to a video file:
  1. In Box Preview, open a video file.
  2. In the Preview window, open the Activity sidebar, and click the comments field. Box adds a timestamp.
  3. In the timestamp field, type a comment.
  4. If you don’t want the timestamp, toggle it off. To change the timestamp, toggle the timestamp on.

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Viewing an annotation or a comment

When you add an annotation, Box displays an annotation icon in the video control panel. To view an annotation or a comment:
  • In Box Preview: on the right side of the Preview window, expand the Activity pane.
  • In the video player control panel: click or tap the annotation icon.
  • In email: click the link to the annotation.
To view an annotation or a comment on Android: see this article. To view an annotation or a comment on iOS: see this article.