Descriptive audio (also called audio description or video descriptions) is a supplemental audio track that narrates visual elements of a title for viewers who are blind or have low vision. In Title Hub, descriptive audio is added as a discrete audio file — the same way you would add any other localized audio asset.
Important: The descriptive audio file you upload must match the locale of an audio track that is already present on the title, either embedded in the mezzanine file or added as a discrete audio file. For example, if your title has English (US) audio, your descriptive audio file must also be tagged as English (US).
Pre-requisites
Before adding descriptive audio, confirm the following:
- The title (standalone or episode) already exists in your catalog and has a mezzanine file uploaded.
- The title already has at least one audio track (either embedded in the mezzanine or as a discrete audio file) for the locale you intend to add descriptive audio for.
- Your descriptive audio file meets Prime Video’s audio requirements, Audio Description Style Guide standards and is properly synced to the title’s video.
- You have the descriptive audio file accessible from your computer or Amazon S3.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Navigate to the title in Catalog Manager
- Log in to Prime Video Slate.
- Open Catalog Manager and select the Titles tab.
- Search for the title you want to add descriptive audio to.
- Click the title name to open the Title Hub (for standalone titles) or navigate to the appropriate Episode Hub (for episodic content).
Step 2: Open the Playable Assets Section for Editing
- In the Title Hub or Episode Hub, locate the Playable assets section.
- Click the Edit button next to Playable assets.
Step 3: Identify the existing audio locale
Before uploading your descriptive audio file, confirm which audio locale(s) are already present on the title:
- In the Playable assets editing view, review the Audio section.
- Note the locale(s) of any existing audio tracks (e.g., English, Spanish, French).
- Your descriptive audio file must match one of these existing locales.
Note: If the audio is embedded in the mezzanine file rather than uploaded as a discrete file, refer to the mezzanine file’s language/locale settings to confirm the available audio locale(s).
Step 4: Upload the descriptive audio file
At the bottom of the Playable assets section, you will see a dedicated Descriptive Audio (Optional) area. This is where you add your descriptive audio file(s).
- In the Descriptive Audio section, upload your file by either:
- Dragging and dropping the file into the File upload zone, OR
- Clicking My computer to browse your local files, OR
- Clicking Amazon S3 to select the file from an S3 bucket.
- In the Locale dropdown below the file upload zone, select the locale for your descriptive audio file. This must match the locale of an audio track already present on the title.
- To add descriptive audio for additional locales, click + Add descriptive audio at the bottom of the section and repeat steps 1–2 for each locale.
- To remove a descriptive audio file, click the Delete (trash can icon) in the top-right corner of that file’s card.
Important: The locale you select for the descriptive audio file must exactly match an audio locale already present on the title (either embedded in the mezzanine or added as a discrete audio file). Mismatched locales will result in a validation error or the file not being associated correctly with the title.
Step 5: Save and submit your changes
- Click Save and next to continue through any remaining languages or sections, OR click Save and close to return to the Title Hub’s edit view.
- Review your changes in the Title Hub summary.
- Click Submit to submit your changes for processing.
Step 6: Verify Submission
- After submitting, confirm that no error messages appear. If there are errors, review the messages and correct any issues (e.g., locale mismatch, unsupported file format).
- You can view your submission status on the Catalog Manager Titles tab.
Key Rules and Reminders
Locale must match |
The descriptive audio file locale must match an existing audio locale on the title (from the mezzanine or a discrete audio file). |
One mezzanine per episode |
Episodes support only 1 mezzanine file. Additional languages and descriptive audio are supplied through discrete audio files. |
Movies allow 2 mezzanines |
Standalone movie titles can have up to 2 mezzanine files (one for the movie, one for the trailer). Descriptive audio is still added as a discrete file. |
File specifications |
Descriptive audio files must meet both Prime Video’s published technical and quality related audio requirements. |
Multiple locales |
If your title has audio in multiple locales and you want descriptive audio for each, repeat Steps 4–5 for each locale. |
Troubleshooting
Locale not available in dropdown |
Confirm that the title already has an audio track in that locale. You may need to add the standard audio track first before adding descriptive audio. |
Validation error on submit |
Check that the descriptive audio file locale matches an existing audio locale on the title. Also verify the file meets format and specification requirements. |
File upload fails |
Ensure the file size is within limits and the format is supported. Try uploading from a different source (My computer vs. Amazon S3). |
Cannot find the title |
Verify you are searching in the correct catalog and that the title has been fully created (not still in draft without a submitted mezzanine). |