Integration with Open edX

Open edX is a free LMS with open-source code. Kinescope supports integration via the XBlock extension: it lets you embed protected video from Kinescope directly into Open edX courses, without external links or third-party solutions.

Who this article is for

• Open edX administrators — need to install and configure the XBlock extension for Kinescope
• Instructors — need to add protected video to courses on Open edX
• Educational platform developers — need to integrate Kinescope into their LMS
• Course creators — need to use protected video in learning materials

What is Kinescope XBlock?

XBlock is an extension for Open edX that adds new functionality to the educational platform. Kinescope XBlock lets you embed video from Kinescope directly into Open edX courses, without external links or third-party solutions.

Installing Kinescope XBlock

Kinescope XBlock is available in the OpenCraft GitHub repository and in the Open edX Marketplace catalog under Video Delivery.

To install, follow these steps:

1. Clone the repository into your Open edX environment:

   git clone https://github.com/open-craft/xblock-kinescope.git

   cd xblock-kinescope

2. Install XBlock using pip:

   pip install -e .

3. Add XBlock to the LMS configuration:

   In the lms.env.json file, add:

"XBLOCK_SETTINGS": {
    "kinescope": {
        "enabled": true
    }
}

4. Restart the Open edX server: tutor local stop

   tutor local start -d

   After this, Kinescope XBlock will be available in Studio for adding to courses.

Testing Kinescope XBlock

After installation, verify that the XBlock works in your Open edX environment:

1. Open Studio in your Open edX instance and add the Kinescope XBlock to a test course.
2. Click Edit in the block and paste a Kinescope video link.
3. Publish the course and open it in the LMS.
4. Verify that the video loads and plays correctly.

How to add a video to an Open edX course via Kinescope XBlock

Adding a video to a course on the platform takes just 10 steps. A short video below makes the process more visual.

1. Go to Open edX Studio. Select the course you want to add video to.
2. Click New Section to create a new section in the course.
3. Enter the section name.
4. Inside the section, create a new Subsection and a new Unit.
5. In the editor that opens, select Advanced (Advanced components).
6. Find Kinescope XBlock and add it to the course.
7. Click the Edit button in Kinescope XBlock.
8. Paste the video link from Kinescope and save changes.
9. Use the View Live button to see how the video looks to students.
10. After testing, click “Publish” to make the video available to students.

Integration is ready! You can now add video to your courses using the ready-made XBlock components.

What’s next?

After setting up integration with Open edX, we recommend:

1. Media file settings — configure privacy and access
2. Set up content protection — enable DRM encryption and watermarks to protect learning materials
3. Restrict access by domain — allow video viewing only on your Open edX platform
4. Add subtitles and chapters — improve accessibility of learning materials

If you have any questions, write to the support chat within the Kinescope interface — our specialists will help!