> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://storekit.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Videos

> Replace static menu images with eye-catching looping video clips in storekit. Sizzling food and pouring drinks capture attention and lift conversion rates.

Product videos replace the standard image on menu items, bringing your dishes to life with motion. A short video of sizzling meat, bubbling cheese, or a perfectly poured drink captures attention and drives orders in ways static images can't.

<video autoPlay muted loop playsInline className="w-full rounded-xl shadow-lg" src="https://ucarecdn.com/206e7831-6474-4585-ba85-6045bc63f78f/videos.mp4" />

## How Product Videos Work

When you attach a video to a menu item, it automatically replaces the product image:

* **Auto-plays** when visible on screen
* **Loops continuously** - no play button needed
* **Muted by default** - respects user experience
* **Falls back to thumbnail** - shows a poster frame while loading

Videos are hosted on our CDN and streamed using adaptive bitrate technology, so they load fast and look great on any connection.

## Technical Requirements

### Video Specifications

| Specification         | Requirement                                |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Format**            | MP4 (H.264 codec)                          |
| **Aspect Ratio**      | 1:1 (square) or 16:9 (landscape)           |
| **Resolution**        | 1080p recommended (1920x1080 or 1080x1080) |
| **Duration**          | 3-10 seconds ideal                         |
| **Maximum Length**    | 30 seconds                                 |
| **Maximum File Size** | 100 MB                                     |
| **Frame Rate**        | 24-30 fps                                  |

<Warning>
  **Avoid vertical (9:16) videos for product items.** Vertical videos push the menu item title, description, and price down on mobile devices, creating a poor browsing experience. Save vertical content for [Stories](/guides/menu-engineering/stories).
</Warning>

### Why Square or Landscape?

Product videos sit in the same space as product images, which display as squares on the menu. A square (1:1) video fits perfectly. Landscape (16:9) works too - it will be cropped or letterboxed depending on the layout.

| Aspect Ratio         | Best For                                      |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **1:1 (Square)**     | Menu items - fits perfectly in the image slot |
| **16:9 (Landscape)** | Hero banners, wider shots                     |
| **9:16 (Vertical)**  | Stories only - not for product videos         |

## What Makes a Great Product Video

### Keep It Short

The best product videos are **3-6 seconds**. You're not telling a story - you're creating a moment of appetite appeal. Show the hero shot and move on.

### Focus on Movement

Capture what makes the dish come alive:

* **Steam rising** from hot dishes
* **Cheese pulling** on pizza or burgers
* **Sauce drizzling** over a finished plate
* **Bubbles fizzing** in drinks
* **Sizzling** on a hot pan
* **Breaking into** crispy items to reveal the inside

### Loop-Friendly Editing

Since videos loop continuously, edit them to be seamless:

* Avoid abrupt starts or endings
* Don't include audio cues that repeat jarringly
* Consider a subtle fade or the action naturally resetting
* Test how it looks when it loops 3-4 times

## Filming Tips

### Equipment

You don't need professional gear - a modern smartphone works great:

* **Use the rear camera** - better quality than front-facing
* **Clean your lens** - fingerprints ruin footage
* **Use a tripod or stable surface** - shaky video looks amateur
* **Shoot in good light** - same principles as [photography](/guides/menu-engineering/product-photography)

### Camera Settings

| Setting        | Recommendation                             |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Resolution** | 1080p or 4K (you can downscale later)      |
| **Frame Rate** | 30fps for smooth motion, 60fps for slow-mo |
| **Focus**      | Lock focus on the dish before recording    |
| **Exposure**   | Lock exposure to prevent flickering        |

### Lighting

* **Natural light** is best - shoot near windows
* **Avoid mixed lighting** - stick to one colour temperature
* **No harsh shadows** - use diffused or bounced light
* **Consistent lighting** - match your product photos

## Content Ideas

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="The Hero Shot" icon="star">
    A simple, beautifully lit shot of the finished dish with subtle steam or movement.
  </Card>

  <Card title="The Pour" icon="droplet">
    Sauce, gravy, or dressing being poured over the dish. Classic and effective.
  </Card>

  <Card title="The Reveal" icon="eye">
    Cutting into a burger, breaking a cookie, or slicing through a steak to show the inside.
  </Card>

  <Card title="The Sizzle" icon="fire">
    Capture food actively cooking - the sound may be muted but the visual sizzle sells.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Video too long">
    Keep it under 10 seconds. Customers are browsing, not watching a cooking show. Get to the appetising moment immediately.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vertical orientation">
    9:16 vertical videos break the menu layout on mobile. Use square (1:1) or landscape (16:9) for product videos.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Shaky footage">
    Use a tripod, phone mount, or stable surface. Handheld footage looks unprofessional and can be distracting.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Poor lighting">
    Dark or unevenly lit videos don't appetise. Follow the same lighting principles as product photography.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Too much happening">
    Focus on one moment - one pour, one sizzle, one reveal. Busy videos with multiple actions are confusing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Bad first frame">
    The thumbnail (poster) is generated from the first frame. Start your video with an appetising shot, not a black screen or logo.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Editing Basics

You don't need professional software. Free mobile apps like CapCut, InShot, or the built-in Photos app can:

* **Trim** to the best 3-6 seconds
* **Crop** to square aspect ratio
* **Adjust** brightness and contrast
* **Export** at 1080p in MP4 format

### Export Settings

When exporting your final video:

* **Format**: MP4
* **Codec**: H.264
* **Resolution**: 1080x1080 (square) or 1920x1080 (landscape)
* **Bitrate**: 8-12 Mbps for quality
* **Audio**: Can be included but will be muted on playback

## Uploading Videos

To add a video to a menu item:

1. Go to **Menu** in your storekit dashboard
2. Select the product you want to add video to
3. In the media section, click **Add Video**
4. Upload your MP4 file
5. Preview how it looks and save

<Tip>
  Start with your bestsellers. Adding video to your top 5-10 items has the biggest impact on orders without requiring a full menu shoot.
</Tip>

## Video vs Stories

| Feature          | Product Videos               | Stories                                 |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Location**     | Replaces product image       | Carousel at top of menu                 |
| **Aspect Ratio** | Square or landscape          | Vertical (9:16)                         |
| **Duration**     | 3-10 seconds                 | Up to 60 seconds                        |
| **Audio**        | Muted                        | User can unmute                         |
| **CTA**          | None (click opens item)      | Add to basket, view item, etc.          |
| **Best For**     | Showcasing individual dishes | Storytelling, promos, behind-the-scenes |

<Info>
  Want to create immersive, full-screen video experiences? Check out [Stories](/guides/menu-engineering/stories) for vertical video content with interactive CTAs.
</Info>