Items to Consider before Recording Videos

To create a high quality video using Camtasia Studio you need to consider several variables. These include how the video will be delivered to users, optimizing file size, and the users screen resolution.

Delivery Modes

The first consideration is how the video is going to be distributed.

• We recommend using Macromedia Flash for producing videos. This format produces videos with acceptable file size and high quality. Flash also is compatible with many different operating systems and computer platforms.
• If you want to stream the video, you will have to use the Camtasia for Realplayer option. Currently, UAS can only stream video using Realplayer.

Controlling File Size

The size of the region or window being recorded has a direct effect on the final file size. Recording the whole screen will yield a file size that is nearly double the size of a file produced recording half of the screen. To help minimize the file size you can use one of the following methods.

• The easiest way to limit the file size is to record only a region of the screen or by minimizing the size of the window to be recorded.
  • Before recording, adjust the size of the window or region to be recorded.
  • Use the smallest window or region that will show everything you want to capture.
  • You need to be sure that any window that opens during the capture will be visible in the window or region being recorded.
• It some cases it may be best to record the video as a series of short videos. Shorter videos will have smaller file sizes than longer videos. Recording shorter videos also makes it easier to redo a video if changes are made or errors are made during capture.
• The media type of the final produced file will also have an effect on the overall file size. We recommend using the Real Player for Camtasia option for streamed videos and Macromedia Flash for other videos.
• Finally, you can lower the file size by capturing the video at a lower color depth. Techsmith recommends using a 256 colors setting to reduce the size of large files.

Video Quality Issues

To avoid problems with video quality it is important to pay attention to both the screen resolution the video was recorded at and the screen resolution settings of the users viewing the video.

Many problems with blurry video playback are related to screen resolution and scaling of the video to a different size during the production process. If the person viewing the video has a lower screen resolution than the screen resolution at which the video was recorded, the video may be blurry and text unreadable. In some cases it may be necessary to use lower resolution when recording to accommodate users who use lower resolutions (800x600).

To determine your screen resolution open the windows control panel and click on the display option. Click on the settings tab to display both your screen resolution setting and your color depth (quality) setting as seen at right.

Click here for a complete discussion of the factors which cause blurry or distorted video and methods for avoiding them recommended by TechSmith.

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