Installing & Setting up IBM Aspera for Desktop

What is Aspera for Desktop?

IBM Aspera for Desktop is a file transfer application used by VIDA to upload and download large media files across its products. It provides a faster and more reliable transfer experience than standard browser downloads, making it ideal for transferring high-resolution video, audio and other large files. 

Before uploading or downloading files, Aspera for Desktop must be installed and your browser must be configured to allow communication with the application.

Installing Aspera for Desktop

1. Download the latest version of Aspera for Desktop compatible with your operating system.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Once installation is complete, launch the application.

After installation, Aspera for Desktop will automatically open whenever an upload or download is started from a VIDA product.

First-time browser setup

The first time you start a transfer, your browser may ask for permission to communicate with IBM Aspera for Desktop.

You must allow this permission for uploads and downloads to work correctly.

Enable "Apps on Device" (Google Chrome)

Google Chrome requires the Apps on device permission to detect IBM Aspera for Desktop.

To enable it:

1. Open your VIDA application.
2. Select the Site Settings icon next to the address bar.
3. Ensure Apps on device is set to Allow.
4. Refresh the page.

If this permission has previously been blocked, select Reset permissions, then refresh the page.

Allow communication with IBM Aspera for Desktop

When starting your first transfer, Chrome may display a message similar to:

app.vida.studio wants to access other apps and services on this device.

Select Allow.

For future transfers, you can tick Always allow to avoid being prompted again.

Selecting Block prevents your browser from communicating with IBM Aspera for Desktop.

Safari users

Safari uses an IBM Aspera browser extension to communicate with the desktop application.

If transfers fail to start:

1. Open Safari > Settings > Websites.
2. Locate the IBM Aspera extension.
3. Set your VIDA site to Always Allow.

If both IBM Aspera Desktop and Aspera Connect are installed, disable the extension you are not using.

Optional settings

Most users will never need to change the default Aspera settings.

However, when troubleshooting, Support may ask you to:

• Change your default download location
• To change where downloaded files are saved:
  1. Open Preferences.
  2. Navigate to Transfers.
  3. Select a new default download location.
• Disable Multi-session transfers

VIDA does not currently support multi-session transfers.

If you are experiencing transfer issues:

1. Open Preferences.
2. Navigate to Transfers.
3. Please make sure Enable multi-session is unticked.
4. Retry the transfer.

• Reset Aspera preferences

Only make these changes if instructed by VIDA Support.

Next Steps

Once IBM Aspera for Desktop has been installed and configured, you're ready to transfer files.

Depending on what you want to do next, see one of the following guides:

• Downloading Files using IBM Aspera for Desktop (VIDA & Connect 2)
• Uploading Files using IBM Aspera for Desktop (Launchpad)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need IBM Aspera for Desktop? 

Yes. IBM Aspera for Desktop is required for uploads on VIDA and Launchpad and recommended for downloading large files from VIDA and Connect 2.

Which browser should I use? 

We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome for the best experience.

I installed Aspera, but nothing happens? 

Check that: 

• IBM Aspera for Desktop is running.
• Apps on device is enabled.
• You allowed Chrome to communicate with the application.
• Your browser has been refreshed.

Need more help? 

If you're still experiencing problems, contact your VIDA admin or the VIDA Support Team with screenshots of the issue and details of your browser and operating system.