Adding watermarks or image overlay to videos using API

Over 50% of online videos are stolen or repurposed without permission. As video content continues to flood the internet, protecting your intellectual property has never been more important. Watermarking your videos is a way to safeguard your content, boost brand visibility, and prevent misuse.

‍

What is watermarking and why to add them to videos?

Video watermarking is the process of embedding a unique identifier into a video file. This identifier can be visible (perceptible) or invisible (imperceptible) mar to viewers. The primary goals of watermarking are to assert copyright ownership, deter piracy, and track the distribution of video content.

Watermarks can carry various types of information, including:

• Copyright Information: Identifying the owner of the content.
• User Information: Embedding user IDs or device IDs to trace unauthorized sharing.
• Time Stamps: Indicating when the content was accessed or viewed.
  ‍

Types of video watermarking

Video watermarking techniques can be broadly categorized into two types: perceptible and imperceptible.

Perceptible watermarking:

• This method involves superimposing a logo or text over the video content. While it is easily visible, it may not effectively deter piracy since it can be removed or obscured by internet pirates.
• Commonly used in promotional videos or broadcasts, perceptible watermarks serve as a branding tool but do not provide protection against unauthorized distribution.‍
  ‍

Imperceptible watermarking:

• Imperceptible watermarks are embedded within the video data in such a way that they are not noticeable to viewers. This type of watermarking is more effective for copyright protection.
• These watermarks can embed metadata such as user IDs, timestamps, and device information, which can be used as forensic evidence to trace leaks or unauthorized streams.
  ‍

‍

Watermarking challenges for developers

1. Performance impact: Watermarking, especially in real-time or high-resolution  videos, can cause processing delays. Developers must optimize algorithms to minimize latency while preserving video quality. ‍
2. Quality preservation: Balancing watermark visibility and video quality is tricky. Developers need to ensure visible watermarks don’t distort content, and invisible ones don’t cause artifacts.
3. ‍Placement: Watermarks must adapt to varying resolutions, aspect ratios, and content. Developers must build algorithms that adjust placement, size, and transparency dynamically.
4. Security: Watermarks are vulnerable to tampering. Using invisible or cryptographic watermarks can increase security, but adds complexity in implementation.
   
   
5. Scalability: Automated, scalable solutions are necessary to handle large volumes of content. Developers need efficient batch processing systems to watermark videos at scale.‍
6. Cross-Platform compatibility: Ensuring watermarks render consistently across different devices and media players adds complexity, requiring adaptive techniques based on screen size and resolution.

How APIs make video watermarking simpler

Implementing video watermarking can be complex, but APIs simplify this process by providing a streamlined solution for developers. Here are a few key benefits:

1. Pre-Built infrastructure: APIs handle the complex operations involved in watermarking, such as encoding and rendering, in the cloud. This eliminates the need for developers to set up and manage their own infrastructure.
   ‍
   Example: Using FastPix, developers can easily watermark a video by sending a request with the video URL and watermark details, without needing to manage servers or processing.
   ‍
2. Ease of integration : APIs offer ready-to-use endpoints and comprehensive documentation, allowing for quick integration into applications. This means developers can implement watermarking functionality with minimal effort.
   ‍
3. Fast implementation: A few lines of code can add watermarking features, enabling rapid development and deployment of video content

‍

Steps to how you can do it with FastPix API

‍

Step 1: Prepare your requirements

Before applying a watermark, ensure you have:

1. Access to the FastPix API
   • Generate your API Key and Access Token from the FastPix dashboard under Org Settings.
2. Video Input URL
   • Either upload a video to FastPix or use an existing video URL. If uploading, you’ll need its Media ID.
3. Watermark Image URL
   • Prepare your logo or branded graphic as an image (e.g., PNG with transparency).

‍

Step 2: Upload Your Video

If your video isn’t already uploaded, follow these steps to upload it to FastPix:

1. Use the following POST request to upload your video and obtain a Media ID.

1curl - X POST 'https://v1.fastpix.io/on-demand' \
2  --user {Access Token ID }: {Secret Key } \
3  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
4  -d '{    "inputs": [      
5      {
6        "type": "video",
7          "url": "https://static.fastpix.io/sample.mp4"
8      }    
9      ],
10    "accessPolicy": "public",
11    "maxResolution": "1080p"  
12}'

‍

Response Example:

1{  
2"success": true,  
3  "data": [    
4  {      
5  "id": "0dde8722-278b-49e2-b0c8-52b57aaf2843",      
6  "status": "created"   
7  }]
8}

Save the Media ID (0dde8722-278b-49e2-b0c8-52b57aaf2843) for use in the watermarking step.

‍

Step 3: Apply a Watermark

To add a watermark to your video, send a structured payload with video and watermark details.

1. Define the Video and Watermark:
   • Specify your video using the Media ID or URL.
   • Provide the URL of your watermark image.
2. Customize Watermark Parameters:some text
   • Control placement, size, and opacity.
   • Use percentages for adaptive placement or pixels for fixed positioning.
3. Send the Request:some text
   • Use the following POST request to apply the watermark.

‍

Example Request (Percentage-Based Positioning):

1curl - X POST 'https://v1.fastpix.io/on-demand' \
2  --user {Access Token ID }: {Secret Key } \
3  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
4  -d '{ 
5    "inputs": [
6      {
7        "type": "video",
8        "url": "fp_mediaId://0dde8722-278b-49e2-b0c8-52b57aaf2843"
9      },
10      {
11        "type": "watermark",
12        "url": "https://static.fastpix.io/logo.png",
13        "placement": {
14          "xAlign": "right",
15          "xMargin": "5%",
16          "yAlign": "bottom",
17          "yMargin": "5%"
18        },
19        "width": "15%",
20        "height": "15%",
21        "opacity": "80%"
22      }
23    ],
24      "accessPolicy": "public",
25        "maxResolution": "1080p" 
26    }
27

‍

Example Request (Pixel-Based Positioning):

1curl - X POST 'https://v1.fastpix.io/on-demand' \
2  --user {Access Token ID }: {Secret Key } \
3  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
4  -d '{ 
5    "inputs": [
6      {
7        "type": "video",
8        "url": "fp_mediaId://0dde8722-278b-49e2-b0c8-52b57aaf2843"
9      },
10      {
11        "type": "watermark",
12        "url": "https://static.fastpix.io/logo.png",
13        "placement": {
14          "xAlign": "center",
15          "yAlign": "middle"
16        },
17        "width": "80px",
18        "opacity": "50%"
19      }
20    ],
21      "accessPolicy": "public",
22        "maxResolution": "1080p" 
23      }' 

‍

Step 4: Review the Response

Upon a successful request, FastPix will return the new video with the watermark applied.

‍

Example Response:

{
  "success": true,
    "data": {
    "id": "7a284fe9-f01b-4a56-b1b2-11d94876256d",
      "status": "created",
        "playbackIds": [
          {
            "id": "87d9774a-96f0-4254-8326-77aafb065731",
            "accessPolicy": "public"
          }
        ]
  }
} 

• New Media ID: 7a284fe9-f01b-4a56-b1b2-11d94876256d
• Playback ID: 87d9774a-96f0-4254-8326-77aafb065731

‍

Step 5: Playback Your Watermarked Video

Use the playback URL to view or share the watermarked video:

https://stream.fastpix.io/87d9774a-96f0-4254-8326-77aafb065731.m3u8

‍

Tips and Best Practices

1. Choose Placement Strategically
   • Top-left or bottom-right corners are popular choices for branding.
2. Adjust Opacity for Balance
   • Lower opacity values (e.g., 50%) ensure the watermark doesn’t distract viewers.
3. Use Adaptive Placement
   • Percentages help maintain consistent positioning across different video resolutions.
4. Test Across Devices
   • Verify how the watermark appears on various screens to ensure consistency.

‍

Real use cases of using video watermarking

Content protection

Streaming services utilize watermarking to protect their original content from piracy and unauthorized distribution.

Example: Netflix and Hulu employ advanced watermarking techniques to safeguard their exclusive shows and movies. For instance, Netflix uses forensic watermarking to embed unique identifiers into its streams. This allows them to trace the source of any leaked content back to the specific user account, thereby deterring piracy and ensuring that their intellectual property is protected.

‍

Broadcast monitoring

Television networks use watermarking to track their broadcasts and ensure compliance with licensing agreements.

‍

‍

Example: BBC and other major broadcasters often embed watermarks in their programming to monitor where their content is aired. For example, during the Olympics, broadcasters use watermarked feeds to verify that their coverage is compliant with broadcasting rights agreements. This helps them track unauthorized broadcasts and enforce licensing terms effectively.

‍

Advertising

Advertisers incorporate perceptible watermarks in promotional videos to enhance brand visibility while ensuring that their content is attributed correctly.

‍

‍

Example: During high-profile events like the Super Bowl, advertisers often use visible watermarks or logos in their commercials. For example, a company like Coca-Cola may include its logo prominently in ads aired during the event. This not only reinforces brand recognition but also ensures that viewers associate the advertisement with Coca-Cola, even if it gets shared on social media platforms.

• Enhanced copyright protection: By embedding identifying information within videos, content owners can assert their rights and deter unauthorized use effectively.
• Real-time monitoring: With dynamic adaptation capabilities, modern watermarking solutions can respond quickly to threats in real-time streaming scenarios, allowing for swift action against piracy.
• Improved user engagement: By using perceptible watermarks strategically in promotional materials, brands can increase recognition and engagement with their audience.
• Cost-effective security solution: Compared to other security measures like encryption or DRM (Digital Rights Management), watermarking is often more cost-effective while still providing substantial protection against piracy.
• Future-proof technology: As technology evolves, many modern watermarking solutions are designed to be deployable across various platforms and devices, ensuring long-term usability.

‍

Conclusion

Video watermarking is an essential tool for protecting digital content in an era where piracy poses significant challenges for creators and distributors alike. By understanding the different techniques available ranging from perceptible to imperceptible methods content owners can choose appropriate strategies that align with their specific needs for security and branding.

Adding watermarks to videos using the FastPix API is a straightforward process that enhances branding and protects content from unauthorized use. By leveraging customizable overlay settings, you can ensure that your videos not only look professional but also serve their intended purpose effectively.