Zoom Recording Guidelines
The following are guidelines for using Zoom to record content for editing and production. This assumes that you are moderately comfortable using the Zoom platform and its basic settings.
NEED HELP? If you have any questions or concerns, please email multimedia@smeal.psu.edu so that we can provide assistance.
General Setup
Key Points
- Given the choice, it's best to use the most powerful computer you have access to
- Use of a computer with a wired connection is preferable over one using wireless
- Recording to the cloud (default) provides the simplest workflow
Recording Manually Using Your Personal Meeting Room
This is a very simple, and our recommended, solution. You can simply enter your personal meeting room, prepare your camera and audio for recording, then record your content in 1 or more takes/segments.
How to record manually from a Zoom Room
Recording Automatically Using a Custom Meeting Room
Another option is to set up a new meeting and activate automatic recording. Please follow the link below to learn more about how to do this.
Setting Automatic Recording for an Individual Meeting
Enabling HD Video
We recommend that you enable HD in your video camera settings as this will increase the potential quality of your recorded content. You can leave this setting enabled after your recording session, or switch is back off again if you prefer.
Note: Some webcams do not produce flattering images. You can consider enabling the Touch Up My Appearance setting as well.
Location, Lighting, and Background
Key Points
- Choose a quiet location
- Even lighting from the front or slightly to the side is best
- Avoid windows or light fixtures in the background
- A simple solid colored background is best when using a virtual background (recommended)
Using a Virtual Background
We recommend using a provided virtual background image for your recordings. The instructions below will provide you with guidelines on proper lighting and location, as well as information on how to enable a virtual background.
Note: If using a virtual background with words or a logo in conjunction with the Mirror Video setting, don't worry, the video being recorded will not be mirrored.
Framing
Framing (positioning) yourself properly on camera is important for ensuring your recording looks as professional as possible.
Key Points
- Try to position your webcam at head height so you are looking straight ahead, not up or down
- When speaking, look at the camera, not other portions of the computer screen
- If you're reading a script or notes, position it in a window as close to the webcam as possible, usually the top center of your screen
- Make sure your head is high in the video, with just a little background showing above
- Move closer or farther from the webcam so that the video captures from your head down to just below your shoulders
Examples
Creating Edit Friendly Recordings
Leave Pauses for Edits
At the beginning, end, and between takes/segments, please leave 1-2 second pauses where you are looking at the camera without speaking. These provide us with the ability to add clean transitions or make other edits without difficulty.
Talk Through Your Mistakes or Retakes
If you happen to make a mistake during recording, or would simply like to rephrase a portion, you can talk us through it.
Example 1: Stop while covering a topic and say "I'm going to start that last segment over again." Pause for a second or two, then start the topic again.
Example 2: At the end of your recording say "I'm going to redo my introduction." Pause for a second or two, then give your introduction again.
Sharing Your Recordings
Please share your recordings directly from Zoom. Don't share in Kaltura. We want to receive the original files created by zoom for best quality. Below are directions for sharing the direct Zoom link to the recording, but you can also download the files yourself and share via OneDrive or Box.
Note: Please make sure the Viewers can download option is enabled prior to sharing the link to your recording.
NEED HELP? If you have any questions or concerns, please email multimedia@smeal.psu.edu so that we can provide assistance.