How to Embed Video In PDF
PDFs can contain embedded video files that play directly inside the document viewer — useful for training manuals, product demos, interactive presentations, and e-learning materials. While not all PDF viewers support embedded video, Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, and modern Chromium-based viewers handle Rich Media annotations. SublimePDF lets you embed video references and poster frames in your generated PDFs.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below, then use the free tool directly — no registration or download required.
Open Tool →How to Embed Video In PDF — Step by Step
Prepare your video file
Use H.264-encoded MP4 files for maximum compatibility. Keep videos under 50 MB per clip for reasonable PDF file sizes. Compress videos to 720p or 1080p — higher resolutions add file size without benefit in the PDF viewer's small player.
Create a poster frame image
Design a static thumbnail (poster frame) that displays before the video plays. This is the image viewers see in PDF readers that don't support video playback. Export it as a PNG or JPEG matching the video's aspect ratio.
Add video to the PDF via the API
Use the 'attachments' parameter in your render request: { "attachments": [{ "path": "video.mp4", "url": "https://cdn.example.com/demo.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "poster": "https://cdn.example.com/demo-poster.png", "page": 3 }] }. The video is embedded on the specified page.
Position the video player area
In your HTML template, add a placeholder div where the video should appear: <div class='video-placeholder' data-video='demo.mp4' style='width:640px; height:360px;'>. SublimePDF replaces this with the embedded video annotation.
Test in compatible viewers
Open the generated PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) to test playback. Click the poster image to start the video. Note that web-based PDF viewers (browser built-in, Google Drive) do not support embedded video.
Pro Tips
- 💡 Always include a poster frame and descriptive text below the video area — in viewers that don't support video, this provides context about what the video contains.
- 💡 For web-distributed PDFs where video may not play, consider embedding a QR code linking to the hosted video instead of or alongside the embedded file.
- 💡 Keep total PDF size manageable by linking to hosted videos instead of embedding them directly. Use the 'videoMode': 'link' option to embed a clickable URL instead of the file itself.
- 💡 H.264 MP4 is the only video format with broad PDF viewer support. Avoid AVI, MOV, or WebM for embedded video.
Privacy & Security
All processing happens directly in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server — they remain on your device throughout the entire process. SublimePDF uses WebAssembly technology for fast, secure, client-side processing.
Works Everywhere
This tool works on any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — on desktop, tablet, or mobile. No software to install. PDF is an open ISO standard supported by all major platforms.
How to Embed Video In PDF — FAQ
Which PDF viewers support embedded video?
Does embedding video make the PDF very large?
Can I embed YouTube or Vimeo videos?
Is there a way to autoplay the video when the page is opened?
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