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Video and audio responses capture the richest qualitative data. You see facial expressions, hear tone of voice, and get detailed explanations that text alone can’t convey.

Why Use Video/Audio Responses

Richer Insights

  • Emotional cues: Facial expressions, tone, enthusiasm
  • Spontaneity: First reactions captured naturally
  • Detail: People often say more than they’d write
  • Authenticity: Harder to give superficial answers

Use Cases

  • First impressions: Initial reactions to concepts or ads
  • Product demonstrations: How people use products
  • Personal stories: Experiences and journeys
  • Detailed explanations: Complex topics or opinions
  • Emotional topics: Where feeling matters

Response Types

Video Response

Participants record themselves using their webcam or phone camera. Captures:
  • Visual (facial expressions, body language)
  • Audio (voice, tone, pauses)
  • Context (environment, if relevant)

Audio Response

Participants record audio only. Captures:
  • Voice and tone
  • Detailed verbal responses
  • Works in more situations (no camera needed)

Participant Choice

You can let participants choose their preferred format:
  • Video
  • Audio
  • Text
This accommodates different preferences and situations.

Creating Video/Audio Questions

1

Add a Video/Audio Question

Select the video/audio question type or use AI: “Add a video question about first impressions.”
2

Write the Question

Be specific about what you want participants to share.
3

Set Preferred Input

Choose video, audio, text, or participant’s choice.
4

Configure Duration

Set recommended or maximum recording length.
5

Add Instructions

Guide participants on what to cover and how long to speak.

Writing Video/Audio Questions

Be Conversational

Write questions as if you’re having a conversation. Before: “Please describe your sentiment regarding the product’s value proposition.” After: “Tell me what you think about this product. Is it worth the price? Why or why not?”

Give Structure

Provide talking points for longer responses:
“Tell us about your morning routine:
  • What time do you typically wake up?
  • What’s the first thing you do?
  • How do you decide what to eat for breakfast?”

Set Expectations

Be clear about length and detail:
“Take about 2 minutes to share your thoughts.”
“Give us your quick, first reaction—just 30 seconds or so.”

Make It Easy to Start

Some participants freeze when the camera turns on. Give them a clear starting point:
“Start by telling us your first impression when you saw the package.”

Recording Guidelines for Participants

Include brief instructions in your question:
Good lighting: Face a window or light source
Quiet space: Find somewhere without background noise
Speak naturally: Talk as if you’re explaining to a friend
Look at the camera: Creates connection with viewers

Duration Recommendations

Response TypeSuggested Length
Quick reaction15-30 seconds
Standard response1-2 minutes
Detailed explanation2-3 minutes
Maximum5 minutes
Very long recordings (5+ minutes) are rare. Most valuable insights come in the first 2 minutes.

Automatic Transcription

Deepfield automatically transcribes all video and audio responses.

What You Get

  • Full transcript: Every word spoken
  • Timestamps: Know when things were said
  • Searchable text: Find specific mentions
  • Quote extraction: Pull out key moments

Transcription in Reports

Your AI-generated reports can:
  • Include relevant quotes with transcriptions
  • Reference specific moments in recordings
  • Analyze themes across responses
  • Cite sources with playback links

Viewing Media Responses

In the Responses tab, you can:
  1. Play recordings: Watch or listen to each response
  2. Read transcripts: Scan the written version
  3. View quality scores: See AI-assessed response quality
  4. Jump to moments: Click timestamps to navigate
See Viewing Media for more details.

Quality Considerations

Response Quality Factors

Deepfield assesses response quality based on:
  • Audio clarity
  • Response completeness
  • Relevance to question
  • Length appropriateness

Encouraging Quality Responses

  • Write clear, specific questions
  • Provide talking points for complex topics
  • Set appropriate length expectations
  • Test the experience yourself first

Best Practices

Use sparingly. Video/audio questions require more effort. Use them for your most important insights.
Place strategically. Put video questions after participants are warmed up, not at the start.
Offer alternatives. Allow text option for participants who can’t record in their current situation.
Test on mobile. Many participants use phones—ensure the recording experience works well.

Common Mistakes

Recording is tiring. Limit to 2-4 video/audio questions per study.
“Tell us your thoughts” gets rambling responses. Give specific talking points.
Without duration guidance, some talk for 30 seconds, others for 10 minutes.
Don’t use video for questions that work fine as text. Match format to content importance.

Comparison: Text vs. Audio vs. Video

FactorTextAudioVideo
Participant effortLowMediumHigh
Insight richnessBasicGoodExcellent
Analysis timeLowMediumHigher
Completion rateHighestHighModerate
Emotional captureLimitedGoodExcellent

Using AI Follow-Ups with Video

Combine video responses with AI follow-ups for even deeper insights:
  1. Participant records initial video response
  2. AI analyzes the response
  3. AI generates relevant follow-up questions
  4. Participant elaborates on specific points
See AI Follow-Ups for more details.

Next Steps