How To Record Video With Small File Size

Video file size tin can exist tricky and the concept of reducing video file size has many technical variables associated with it. You may want to reduce file size to more than easily send to your co-workers, or complete your upload to YouTube quicker. It can be difficult to know where to start when trying to reduce file size. Below nosotros've put together some helpful information to get y'all started on your file reduction journey!

Video Format and File Type

**If yous're new to these concepts, delight don't cease reading just because we use a lot of jargon, we will try to explain each, and by following the associated links, yous may besides better encompass each i.**

There are many different video formats y'all could consign your finished video into. To help you lot sympathize video codecs and containers we wrote an in depth post nearly the differences of video files types. Codecs encode or compress streams of data for storage, playback and video editing on a diversity of platforms. Acquire more about codecs here. You lot may have heard of the h.264 codec (you may not accept, but hang in there). This codec produces an MP4, which typically delivers the best quality, with smallest file size. Because of this, MP4 is very popular for web-based delivery including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To aid yous not worry too much about file size, nosotros've created Camtasia and Snagit video outputs to default to the MP4 file blazon, and will recommend MP4 in the majority of cases for online sharing.

Video Dimensions (in pixels)

The resolution of a video determines the size in height and width that the video will be created in. Resolution is defined by the number of horizontal lines the video has from superlative to bottom. Larger resolution videos volition dramatically increase file size. Equally you can imagine a video that is 1920 x 1080 (1080p) volition have a larger file size than a video that is 1280 x 720 (720p). A 1080p video has more horizontal lines (more than information), thus making the video file size larger. Some screen recordings taken on high density displays tin even produce videos at or above 3840 pixels × 2160 (4k). High density displays have millions of pixels and thousands of horizontal lines; fifty-fifty more than data! Don't record your entire screen unless it's actually necessary, or consider using zoom and pan actions while editing your video. This way you tin can calibration the video down, but still focus the viewer'southward attention on a specific portion of the screen. In Camtasia, y'all tin modify the project settings to produce your video at your desired resolution.

Takeaway:Export at a suitable resolution for your project. Exporting at 720p or 1080p will work for nigh people.

How Much Action Is In Your Video?

If you have a lot of transitions (wipes, blurs, animations) along with fast-paced imagery, your file will be larger. For instance, recording a fairly static presentation of slides (less activity) will yield a smaller file size than recording some on-screen live video (more activeness). Using the MP4 video format will likewise help mitigate some of the file size issues associated with motion, as MP4 is highly efficient in this regard.

Takeaway: Adding lots of movement and transitions will crusade your file to be larger.

Sound

Sometimes sound tin create larger file sizes, though most of the time recording devices and software volition shrink your audio so as not to create large file sizes. In addition, it is very rare that uncompressed audio is going to make an audible deviation to your viewers. After you're done editing your video, make sure to export with compressed audio. Default outputs for Camtasia and Snagit MP4 format uses AAC audio compression which has a good combination of sound quality and file size.

Takeaway: Compress your audio on export. It'south rare to demand uncompressed sound in about projects. Have a await at our audio all-time practices.

Frame Rate (FPS)

What is frame rate? Glad you asked! For an in-depth description, take a expect at the beginners guide to frame rate. The short reply is that frame rate indicates how many frames (remember: pictures) are shown per 2d to the viewer. Most films are shot at 24 fps. Habitation videos and camcorders typically default to 30 fps. Which is ameliorate? That's a subjective question and depends on your intended audition. Are you aiming for a video await, or a cinematic await? The custom product settings in Camtasia allow for between 1 and 30 frames per second (fps). While the default, 30 fps, is standard for video, if you're looking to become more cinematic y'all can lower it to 24 fps. A higher frame rate volition frequently times create a larger file size when you consign.

Takeaway: Use the frame rate that is correct for your project. Know that college frame rates volition cause slightly larger videos.

Hopefully these tips will help you reduce the file size of your video. If you're set to try it yourself, download Camtasia! Let usa know how it goes on Facebook or Twitter!