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This guide covers getting files off the platform — the download itself, the Aspera transfer, embargoes, and restricted-file requests. For the broader feature, see Downloads.

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How to download files

1

Open the asset

Find the asset and open its preview.
2

Pick language and options

At the top of the preview, choose your language and subtitle/dub option. The available files then appear in the lower half.
3

Click a file

Click any file to start downloading immediately. A progress indicator sits next to each filename; click the X to cancel, and a checkmark shows when it’s done.
An asset's file list with language and version dropdowns and download arrows

Choose a language and version at the top, then click any file in the list to download it. The Broadcast / Online / DCP tabs group the files by usage.

A file row showing a download in progress with pause and cancel controls

A download in progress — pause it, or click the X to cancel.

The download arrow icon next to a file

The download arrow beside a file.

Open the Download Manager from the left navigation bar to see your history and pause, resume, cancel, or search transfers.
The Download Manager showing active and completed transfers

The Download Manager: active transfers with speed and progress, and a history of completed downloads.

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How long until files are downloadable

Once the Pixwel team receives files from the localization vendor, it usually takes 60 to 90 minutes for them to appear on the platform.

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Where files download to (Aspera)

Downloads transfer via Aspera Connect and save, by default, to your system’s Downloads folder, inside a subfolder named for the studio. To change the location:
  • Mac — open Aspera Connect preferences → Transfers tab → Browse to a new location.
  • Windows — open Connect preferences (cog icon at bottom-left, or right-click the Connect icon → Preferences) → Transfers tab. Choose Save downloaded files to and browse to a directory, or Always ask me where to save downloaded files to be prompted each time.
A file-system folder tree showing where downloaded files are saved

Downloads land in your Downloads folder, inside a subfolder named for the studio, project, and asset type.

If you’re hitting connectivity or transfer problems, Pixwel publishes Aspera technical documentation (network ports and requirements) as a PDF — ask support for the link. See also Aspera Desktop.

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Downloading without Aspera

You don’t need any Aspera software to download — Aspera just makes large transfers faster and gives you progress and pause/resume. If you have neither Aspera Desktop nor the Aspera Connect browser plugin, Pixwel automatically falls back to a standard HTTPS download through your browser, and the file still downloads. What’s different on the browser fallback:
  • Your browser’s own download manager handles the file — there’s no in-app Active Transfers entry, progress, speed, or pause/resume.
  • There’s no transfer acceleration, so very large files are slower than over Aspera.
  • Files download one at a time (no bulk/zip).
  • The download link is short-lived (about 20 minutes). Start the download promptly; if it stalls or the link expires, just click the file again to get a fresh one.
For large files, lots of files, or unreliable connections, install Aspera Desktop (or the Aspera Connect plugin) — you’ll get faster, resumable transfers with full progress control. For the occasional small file, the browser fallback is fine.

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Embargoed files

An embargo holds a file until a release date.
  • An embargoed file shows a padlock icon and can’t be downloaded yet.
  • Hover the filename to see the embargo date and time.
  • When the embargo lifts, the padlock becomes a download arrow and the file is available.
An asset's file list with padlock icons on embargoed files

Embargoed files show a padlock and can't be downloaded yet.

A tooltip showing the embargo date and time on hover

Hover a file to see the embargo date and time.

Legend comparing the embargoed padlock and the downloadable arrow icons

A padlock means embargoed and not downloadable; a download arrow means it's available.

If you believe a file was locked in error and you need it before the embargo lifts, contact support.

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Restricted OV texted / textless files

Downloading OV English texted and textless files usually needs Head Office approval. To request them, email platform@pixwel.com with:
  • The asset titles and their URLs
  • The specs — texted, textless, or both; broadcast, online, or both; and any special transcoding
  • A business justification — why you need them, who the recipient vendor/partner is, and the intended usage
Files are released only once Head Office approves.