Resolution, frame rate and quality explained EN

Three separate settings that are routinely confused, with what each one costs you.

Resolution, frame rate and quality are three separate settings. Each one changes how your recording looks, and each one makes the file bigger or smaller. You'll find all three on the Video tab of the extension's settings.

What each setting does

Resolution is the size of the picture. A higher resolution is sharper, especially for small text, but the file is bigger.
Frame rate is how many pictures per second the video shows (FPS). A higher frame rate makes motion look smoother. It also makes the file bigger and uses more of your computer's processor.
Quality is how much data Rekorder spends on each second of video. Higher quality means a better picture and a bigger file. It doesn't change the size of the picture or how many frames per second you get.

The defaults are 1080p, 30 frames per second and High quality.

Resolution

You can choose one of four sizes. Each one is a maximum, and the picture is fitted into it.

Option	Size in pixels
1080p (16:9)	1920 × 1080
720p (16:9)	1280 × 720
480p (16:9)	854 × 480
320p (16:9)	569 × 320

Choose 1080p or 720p if viewers need to read small text. 480p and 320p are for when a small file matters more than a sharp picture.

Frame rate

Option	Best for
15	Slides and other low-motion content, low-end computers, small files
24	Film-style motion
30	A balanced choice, and the recommended one
60	Fast motion such as games, at the cost of bigger files

For a normal demo or walkthrough, 30 is plenty. Screens that mostly sit still don't gain much from 60.

Quality

Quality has three options: High (the default), Medium and Low. It changes only the video. Audio isn't affected.

Medium uses about 70% of the video data that High uses.
Low uses about half.

If your computer records video in software instead of using dedicated hardware, a lower setting can also help keep the recording smooth. See Encoder preference and when to change it.

How much each combination costs

Resolution, frame rate and quality all feed into the file size. The table shows the approximate video size per minute at High quality. Real files vary with what's on your screen, and audio adds a little more.

Resolution	15 fps	24 fps	30 fps	60 fps
1080p	23 MB	34 MB	45 MB	75 MB
720p	12 MB	18 MB	23 MB	38 MB
480p	5 MB	8 MB	10 MB	19 MB
320p	3 MB	4 MB	5 MB	9 MB

Medium takes roughly 30% off these figures, and Low roughly half.

Change the settings

Click the Rekorder icon in your toolbar to open the popup.
Click the Settings icon.
Open the Video tab.
Choose a Resolution, a Frame rate and a Quality.

Your choices apply to the recordings you make afterwards. To have the same values every time, see Set defaults so you do not reconfigure every recording.

Which one to change

Files are too big: lower the quality first, then the frame rate to 15 or 24. Lower the resolution last, because it's the change viewers notice most.
The picture is blurry or text is hard to read: raise the resolution, and check that quality is set to High.
Motion looks jerky: raise the frame rate. If the recording stutters, a lower frame rate or lower quality may help instead. See Video is blurry, stutters or drops frames.