diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/transcripts.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/transcripts.py
index 4a864b6026..bf8827aba9 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/transcripts.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/transcripts.py
@@ -17,16 +17,16 @@ TEST_ROOT = settings.COMMON_TEST_DATA_ROOT
 DELAY = 0.5
 
 ERROR_MESSAGES = {
-    'url_format': u'Incorrect url format.',
-    'file_type': u'Link types should be unique.',
+    'url_format': u'Incorrect URL format.',
+    'file_type': u'Video file types must be unique.',
 }
 
 STATUSES = {
     'found': u'Timed Transcript Found',
     'not found': u'No Timed Transcript',
     'replace': u'Timed Transcript Conflict',
-    'uploaded_successfully': u'Timed Transcript uploaded successfully',
-    'use existing': u'Timed Transcript Not Updated',
+    'uploaded_successfully': u'Timed Transcript Uploaded Successfully',
+    'use existing': u'Confirm Timed Transcript',
 }
 
 SELECTORS = {
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@ SELECTORS = {
 
 # button type , button css selector, button message
 TRANSCRIPTS_BUTTONS = {
-    'import': ('.setting-import',  'Import from YouTube'),
-    'download_to_edit': ('.setting-download', 'Download to Edit'),
-    'disabled_download_to_edit': ('.setting-download.is-disabled', 'Download to Edit'),
+    'import': ('.setting-import',  'Import YouTube Transcript'),
+    'download_to_edit': ('.setting-download', 'Download Transcript for Editing'),
+    'disabled_download_to_edit': ('.setting-download.is-disabled', 'Download Transcript for Editing'),
     'upload_new_timed_transcripts': ('.setting-upload',  'Upload New Timed Transcript'),
-    'replace': ('.setting-replace', 'Yes, Replace EdX Timed Transcript with YouTube Timed Transcript'),
+    'replace': ('.setting-replace', 'Yes, replace the edX transcript with the YouTube transcript'),
     'choose': ('.setting-choose', 'Timed Transcript from {}'),
     'use_existing': ('.setting-use-existing', 'Use Existing Timed Transcript'),
 }
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-choose.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-choose.underscore
index dbea989211..312073ab69 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-choose.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-choose.underscore
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 </div>
 
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-    <%= gettext("The timed transcript for the first HTML5 source does not appear to be the same as the timed transcript for the second HTML5 source.") %>
+    <%= gettext("The timed transcript for the first video file does not appear to be the same as the timed transcript for the second video file.") %>
     <strong>
-        <%= gettext("Which one would you like to use?") %>
+        <%= gettext("Which timed transcript would you like to use?") %>
     </strong>
 </p>
 
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-found.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-found.underscore
index 286063ed6a..f3ee565ff4 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-found.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-found.underscore
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 <div class="transcripts-message-status"><i class="icon-ok"></i><%= gettext("Timed Transcript Found") %></div>
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-<%= gettext("We have a timed transcript on edX for this video. You can upload a new .srt file to replace it or download to edit.") %>
+<%= gettext("EdX has a timed transcript for this video. If you want to edit this transcript, you can download, edit, and re-upload the existing transcript. If you want to replace this transcript, upload a new .srt transcript file.") %>
 </p>
 <div class="transcripts-file-uploader"></div>
 <p class="transcripts-error-message is-invisible">
 <%= gettext("Error.") %>
 </p>
 <div class="wrapper-transcripts-buttons">
-    <button class="action setting-upload" type="button" name="setting-upload" value="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>">
-        <span><%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %></span>
+    <button class="action setting-upload" type="button" name="setting-upload" value="<%= gettext("Upload New Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Upload New .srt Transcript") %>">
+        <span><%= gettext("Upload New Transcript") %></span>
     </button>
-    <a class="action setting-download" href="/transcripts/download?locator=<%= component_locator %>&subs_id=<%= subs_id %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Download to Edit") %>">
-        <span><%= gettext("Download to Edit") %></span>
+    <a class="action setting-download" href="/transcripts/download?locator=<%= component_locator %>&subs_id=<%= subs_id %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Download Transcript for Editing") %>">
+        <span><%= gettext("Download Transcript for Editing") %></span>
     </a>
 </div>
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-import.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-import.underscore
index 5ea6e7b7d8..19f6c6c2c9 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-import.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-import.underscore
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
-<div class="transcripts-message-status status-error"><i class="icon-remove"></i><%= gettext("No Timed Transcript") %></div>
+<div class="transcripts-message-status status-error"><i class="icon-remove"></i><%= gettext("No EdX Timed Transcript") %></div>
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-<%= gettext("We don\'t have a timed transcript for this video on edX, but we found a transcript for this video on YouTube. Would you like to import it to edX?") %>
+<%= gettext("EdX doesn\'t have a timed transcript for this video in Studio, but we found a transcript on YouTube. You can import the YouTube transcript or upload your own .srt transcript file.") %>
 </p>
 <div class="transcripts-file-uploader"></div>
 <p class="transcripts-error-message is-invisible">
 <%= gettext("Error.") %>
 </p>
 <div class="wrapper-transcripts-buttons">
-    <button class="action setting-upload" type="button" name="setting-upload" value="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>">
-        <span><%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %></span>
+    <button class="action setting-import" type="button" name="setting-import" value="<%= gettext("Import YouTube Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Import YouTube Transcript") %>">
+        <span><%= gettext("Import YouTube Transcript") %></span>
     </button>
-    <button class="action setting-import" type="button" name="setting-import" value="<%= gettext("Import from YouTube") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Import from YouTube") %>">
-        <span><%= gettext("Import from YouTube") %></span>
+    <button class="action setting-upload" type="button" name="setting-upload" value="<%= gettext("Upload New Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Upload New .srt Transcript") %>">
+        <span><%= gettext("Upload New Transcript") %></span>
     </button>
 </div>
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-not-found.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-not-found.underscore
index 4566b66338..f60b9a3dc6 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-not-found.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-not-found.underscore
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <div class="transcripts-message-status status-error"><i class="icon-remove"></i><%= gettext("No Timed Transcript") %></div>
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-<%= gettext("We don\'t have a timed transcript for this video. Please upload a .srt file:") %>
+<%= gettext("EdX doesn\'t have a timed transcript for this video. Please upload an .srt file.") %>
 </p>
 <div class="transcripts-file-uploader"></div>
 <p class="transcripts-error-message is-invisible">
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     <button class="action setting-upload" type="button" name="setting-upload" value="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>">
         <%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>
     </button>
-    <a class="action setting-download is-disabled" href="javascropt: void(0);" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Download to Edit") %>">
-        <%= gettext("Download to Edit") %>
+    <a class="action setting-download is-disabled" href="javascropt: void(0);" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Download Transcript for Editing") %>">
+        <%= gettext("Download Transcript for Editing") %>
     </a>
 </div>
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-replace.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-replace.underscore
index 49249ec041..e48d8b7874 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-replace.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-replace.underscore
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 </div>
 
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-    <%= gettext("The timed transcript file on YouTube does not appear to be the same as the timed transcript file on edX.") %>
+    <%= gettext("The timed transcript for this video on edX is out of date, but YouTube has a current timed transcript for this video.") %>
     <strong>
-        <%= gettext("Would you like to replace the edX timed transcript with the ones from YouTube?") %>
+        <%= gettext("Do you want to replace the edX transcript with the YouTube transcript?") %>
     </strong>
 </p>
 
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@
         class="action setting-replace"
         type="button"
         name="setting-replace"
-        value="<%= gettext("Yes, Replace EdX Timed Transcript with YouTube Timed Transcript") %>"
-        data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Yes, Replace EdX Timed Transcript with YouTube Timed Transcript") %>"
+        value="<%= gettext("Yes, replace the edX transcript with the YouTube transcript") %>"
+        data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Yes, replace the edX transcript with the YouTube transcript") %>"
     >
         <span>
-            <%= gettext("Yes, Replace EdX Timed Transcript with YouTube Timed Transcript") %>
+            <%= gettext("Yes, replace the edX transcript with the YouTube transcript") %>
         </span>
     </button>
 </div>
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-uploaded.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-uploaded.underscore
index 9895d7fea8..ab7df88624 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-uploaded.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-uploaded.underscore
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-<div class="transcripts-message-status"><i class="icon-ok"></i><%= gettext("Timed Transcript uploaded successfully") %></div>
+<div class="transcripts-message-status"><i class="icon-ok"></i><%= gettext("Timed Transcript Uploaded Successfully") %></div>
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-<%= gettext("We have a timed transcript on edX for this video. You can upload a new .srt file to replace it or download to edit.") %>
+<%= gettext("EdX has a timed transcript for this video. If you want to replace this transcript, upload a new .srt transcript file. If you want to edit this transcript, you can download, edit, and re-upload the existing transcript.") %>
 </p>
 <div class="transcripts-file-uploader"></div>
 <p class="transcripts-error-message is-invisible">
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     <button class="action setting-upload" type="button" name="setting-upload" value="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %>">
         <span><%= gettext("Upload New Timed Transcript") %></span>
     </button>
-    <a class="action setting-download" href="/transcripts/download?locator=<%= component_locator %>&subs_id=<%= subs_id %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Download to Edit") %>">
-        <span><%= gettext("Download to Edit") %></span>
+    <a class="action setting-download" href="/transcripts/download?locator=<%= component_locator %>&subs_id=<%= subs_id %>" data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Download Transcript for Editing") %>">
+        <span><%= gettext("Download Transcript for Editing") %></span>
     </a>
 </div>
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-use-existing.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-use-existing.underscore
index 6f40763e75..79b9d2c383 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-use-existing.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/messages/transcripts-use-existing.underscore
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 <div class="transcripts-message-status status-error">
     <i class="icon-remove"></i>
-    <%= gettext("Timed Transcript Not Updated") %>
+    <%= gettext("Confirm Timed Transcript") %>
 </div>
 
 <p class="transcripts-message">
-    <%= gettext("You changed a video source, but did not update the timed transcript file. Do you want to upload new timed transcript?") %>
+    <%= gettext("You changed a video URL, but did not change the timed transcript file. Do you want to use the current timed transcript or upload a new .srt transcript file?") %>
 </p>
 
 <div class="transcripts-file-uploader"></div>
@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@
         class="action setting-use-existing"
         type="button"
         name="setting-use-existing"
-        value="<%= gettext("Use Existing Timed Transcript") %>"
-        data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Use Existing Timed Transcript") %>"
+        value="<%= gettext("Use Current Timed Transcript") %>"
+        data-tooltip="<%= gettext("Use Current Timed Transcript") %>"
     >
         <span>
-            <%= gettext("Use Existing Timed Transcript") %>
+            <%= gettext("Use Current Timed Transcript") %>
         </span>
     </button>
     <button
diff --git a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/metadata-videolist-entry.underscore b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/metadata-videolist-entry.underscore
index 03c3b7a5dd..b5b00296fe 100644
--- a/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/metadata-videolist-entry.underscore
+++ b/cms/templates/js/video/transcripts/metadata-videolist-entry.underscore
@@ -5,10 +5,10 @@
     <div class="tip videolist-url-tip setting-help"><%= model.get('help') %></div>
     <div class="wrapper-videolist-urls">
       <a href="#" class="collapse-action collapse-setting">
-        <i class="icon-plus"></i><%= gettext("Add more video sources") %> <span class="sr"><%= model.get('display_name')%></span>
+        <i class="icon-plus"></i><%= gettext("Add URLs for additional versions") %> <span class="sr"><%= model.get('display_name')%></span>
       </a>
       <div class="videolist-extra-videos">
-        <span class="tip videolist-extra-videos-tip setting-help"><%= gettext('To be sure all students can view the video, we recommend providing alternate versions of the same video: mp4, webm and youtube (if available).') %></span>
+        <span class="tip videolist-extra-videos-tip setting-help"><%= gettext('To be sure all students can access the video, we recommend providing both an .mp4 and a .webm version of your video. Click below to add a URL for another version. These URLs cannot be YouTube URLs. The first listed video that\'s compatible with the student\'s computer will play.') %></span>
         <ol class="videolist-settings">
             <li class="videolist-settings-item">
               <input type="text" class="input" value="<%= model.get('value')[1] %>">
@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@
   </div>
 </div>
 <div class="transcripts-status is-invisible">
-    <label class="label setting-label transcripts-label"><%= gettext("Timed Transcript") %></label>
+    <label class="label setting-label transcripts-label"><%= gettext("Default Timed Transcript") %></label>
     <div class="wrapper-transcripts-message"></div>
 </div>
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_module.py
index 11e3484b91..76f8ca7be3 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_module.py
@@ -357,8 +357,8 @@ class VideoDescriptor(VideoFields, VideoStudioViewHandlers, TabsEditingDescripto
 
         _ = self.runtime.service(self, "i18n").ugettext
         video_url.update({
-            'help': _('A YouTube URL or a link to a file hosted anywhere on the web.'),
-            'display_name': 'Video URL',
+            'help': _('The URL for your video. This can be a YouTube URL or a link to an .mp4, .ogg, or .webm video file hosted elsewhere on the Internet.'),
+            'display_name': 'Default Video URL',
             'field_name': 'video_url',
             'type': 'VideoList',
             'default_value': [get_youtube_link(youtube_id_1_0['default_value'])]
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_xfields.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_xfields.py
index 32aace782f..40332aae01 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_xfields.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/video_module/video_xfields.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ _ = lambda text: text
 class VideoFields(object):
     """Fields for `VideoModule` and `VideoDescriptor`."""
     display_name = String(
-        display_name="Display Name", help="Display name for this module.",
+        display_name="Component Display Name", help="The name students see. This name appears in the course ribbon and as a header for the video.",
         default="Video",
         scope=Scope.settings
     )
@@ -27,38 +27,38 @@ class VideoFields(object):
     # TODO: This should be moved to Scope.content, but this will
     # require data migration to support the old video module.
     youtube_id_1_0 = String(
-        help="This is the Youtube ID reference for the normal speed video.",
-        display_name="Youtube ID",
+        help="Optional, for older browsers: the YouTube ID for the normal speed video.",
+        display_name="YouTube ID",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default="OEoXaMPEzfM"
     )
     youtube_id_0_75 = String(
-        help="Optional, for older browsers: the Youtube ID for the .75x speed video.",
-        display_name="Youtube ID for .75x speed",
+        help="Optional, for older browsers: the YouTube ID for the .75x speed video.",
+        display_name="YouTube ID for .75x speed",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=""
     )
     youtube_id_1_25 = String(
-        help="Optional, for older browsers: the Youtube ID for the 1.25x speed video.",
-        display_name="Youtube ID for 1.25x speed",
+        help="Optional, for older browsers: the YouTube ID for the 1.25x speed video.",
+        display_name="YouTube ID for 1.25x speed",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=""
     )
     youtube_id_1_5 = String(
-        help="Optional, for older browsers: the Youtube ID for the 1.5x speed video.",
-        display_name="Youtube ID for 1.5x speed",
+        help="Optional, for older browsers: the YouTube ID for the 1.5x speed video.",
+        display_name="YouTube ID for 1.5x speed",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=""
     )
     start_time = RelativeTime(  # datetime.timedelta object
-        help="Start time for the video (HH:MM:SS). Max value is 23:59:59.",
-        display_name="Start Time",
+        help="Time you want the video to start if you don't want the entire video to play. Formatted as HH:MM:SS. The maximum value is 23:59:59.",
+        display_name="Video Start Time",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=datetime.timedelta(seconds=0)
     )
     end_time = RelativeTime(  # datetime.timedelta object
-        help="End time for the video (HH:MM:SS). Max value is 23:59:59.",
-        display_name="End Time",
+        help="Time you want the video to stop if you don't want the entire video to play. Formatted as HH:MM:SS. The maximum value is 23:59:59.",
+        display_name="Video Stop Time",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=datetime.timedelta(seconds=0)
     )
@@ -73,44 +73,44 @@ class VideoFields(object):
         default=""
     )
     download_video = Boolean(
-        help="Show a link beneath the video to allow students to download the video. Note: You must add at least one video source below.",
+        help="Allow students to download versions of this video in different formats if they cannot use the edX video player or do not have access to YouTube. You must add at least one non-YouTube URL in the Video File URLs field.",
         display_name="Video Download Allowed",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=False
     )
     html5_sources = List(
-        help="A list of filenames to be used with HTML5 video. The first supported filetype will be displayed.",
-        display_name="Video Sources",
+        help="The URL or URLs where you’ve posted non-YouTube versions of the video. Each URL must end in .mpeg, .mp4, .ogg, or .webm and cannot be a YouTube URL. Students will be able to view the first listed video that's compatible with the student's computer. To allow students to download these videos, set Video Download Allowed to True.",
+        display_name="Video File URLs",
         scope=Scope.settings,
     )
     track = String(
-        help="The external URL to download the timed transcript track. This appears as a link beneath the video.",
-        display_name="Download Transcript",
+        help="By default, students can download an .srt or .txt transcript when you set Download Transcript Allowed to True. If you want to provide a downloadable transcript in a different format, we recommend that you upload a handout by using the Upload a Handout field. If this isn't possible, you can post a transcript file on the Files & Uploads page or on the Internet, and then add the URL for the transcript here. Students see a link to download that transcript below the video.",
+        display_name="Downloadable Transcript URL",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=''
     )
     download_track = Boolean(
-        help="Show a link beneath the video to allow students to download the transcript. Note: You must add a link to the HTML5 Transcript field above.",
-        display_name="Transcript Download Allowed",
+        help="Allow students to download the timed transcript. A link to download the file appears below the video. By default, the transcript is an .srt or .txt file. If you want to provide the transcript for download in a different format, upload a file by using the Upload Handout field.",
+        display_name="Download Transcript Allowed",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=False
     )
     sub = String(
-        help="The name of the timed transcript track (for non-Youtube videos).",
-        display_name="Transcript (primary)",
+        help="The default transcript for the video, from the Default Timed Transcript field on the Basic tab. This transcript should be in English. You don't have to change this setting.",
+        display_name="Default Timed Transcript",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=""
     )
     show_captions = Boolean(
-        help="This controls whether or not captions are shown by default.",
-        display_name="Transcript Display",
+        help="Specify whether the transcripts appear with the video by default.",
+        display_name="Show Transcript",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default=True
     )
     # Data format: {'de': 'german_translation', 'uk': 'ukrainian_translation'}
     transcripts = Dict(
-        help="Add additional transcripts in other languages.",
-        display_name="Transcript Translations",
+        help="Add transcripts in different languages. Click below to specify a language and upload an .srt transcript file for that language.",
+        display_name="Transcript Languages",
         scope=Scope.settings,
         default={}
     )
@@ -131,16 +131,16 @@ class VideoFields(object):
         default='srt',
     )
     speed = Float(
-        help="The last speed that was explicitly set by user for the video.",
+        help="The last speed that the user specified for the video.",
         scope=Scope.user_state,
     )
     global_speed = Float(
-        help="Default speed in cases when speed wasn't explicitly for specific video.",
+        help="The default speed for the video.",
         scope=Scope.preferences,
         default=1.0
     )
     youtube_is_available = Boolean(
-        help="The availaibility of YouTube API for the user.",
+        help="Specify whether YouTube is available for the user.",
         scope=Scope.user_info,
         default=True
     )