Screen Recording Best Practices: Setup, Capture, and Export
High-quality screen recordings require proper setup before hitting record. Resolution, frame rate, audio, and cursor visibility all affect the final result.
Key Takeaways
- Record at the resolution your audience will view at.
- Move the cursor deliberately and slowly.
- For web delivery, export as MP4 with H.264 codec, CRF 20-23, and AAC audio at 128 kbps.
- Pause briefly before clicking important elements.
Pre-Recording Setup
Resolution and Scaling
Record at the resolution your audience will view at. For tutorials, 1080p (1920x1080) is standard. If your display is higher-res (Retina/4K), set recording to output at 1080p to avoid unnecessarily large files.
Frame Rate
Use 30fps for tutorials and presentations. Use 60fps only for gaming or UI animations where smoothness matters. Higher frame rates double file size.
Desktop Preparation
- Hide desktop icons and personal bookmarks
- Close notification apps (Slack, email)
- Use a clean browser profile without personal extensions
- Set a neutral wallpaper (solid color)
- Increase cursor size for visibility
During Recording
Cursor Movement
Move the cursor deliberately and slowly. Viewers need time to track cursor position. Pause briefly before clicking important elements.
Audio
Use an external microphone — built-in laptop mics capture keyboard noise and fan sounds. Speak in a consistent, measured pace. Record system audio separately if needed.
Export Settings
For web delivery, export as MP4 with H.264 codec, CRF 20-23, and AAC audio at 128 kbps. This produces the best compatibility across browsers and devices.
For maximum quality archival, use ProRes or H.265 at CRF 18 — you can always re-encode later.