Chapter 12
Exporting Videos
You've scripted, recorded, edited, and polished — now it's time to export. Your goal is two-fold: preserve visual clarity (especially fine UI details), and keep file sizes reasonable for upload, streaming, and playback.
Goal: Deliver crisp, smooth playback optimized for web streaming — while keeping file sizes manageable.
Here's how to export your screen recording video for both quality and delivery-ready performance:
12.1 Master vs. Delivery Export
What you're creating: Two export versions — a visually lossless master for archiving, and an optimized delivery file for web streaming.
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Version 1 — Master File
Your "forever" copy for archiving, high-end platforms, or future re-edits without generational quality loss·Codec: Apple ProRes 422/4444 or Avid DNxHR HQX [note] Resolution: match your source (e.g., 1440p or 4K)
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Version 2 — Delivery File
The version most viewers will see — balance fidelity with file size·Container: MP4 with H.264, H.265, or AV1 — H.264 for compatibility, H.265/AV1 for smaller size at same quality [note] Resolution: export at your original capture resolution — don't upscale [note] Frame rate: match your source — usually 30 fps for tutorials, 60 fps if captured that way [note] Keyframe interval: 2 seconds (standard for web playback) [note] Audio: AAC, 48 kHz, 192–320 kbps for clear voice
12.2 Bitrate Guidelines
What you're creating: The right bitrate per resolution — clean web playback without bloated file sizes.
Deliverables
→1080p at 30 fps: 12–16 Mbps
→1440p at 30 fps: 18–24 Mbps
→4K at 30 fps: 30–45 Mbps
12.3 Quality Control Checklist
What you're creating: A pre-publish QC pass — watched at 100% zoom, scrubbed for glitches, and tested across devices.
Checklist
Watch at 100% zoom — check for small UI text, cursor trails, transparent overlays, and crushed blacks in dark mode UIs Scrub quickly across the timeline: look for dropped frames, editing glitches, and confirm VO sync with lip/click motion Test playback across devices — especially mobile and low-bandwidth scenarios 12.4 Aspect Ratio
What you're creating: A consistent 16:9 export — no unusual resolutions, no cropping or stretching for alternate formats.
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Default to 16:9 unless the platform demands otherwise (e.g., Instagram Stories or TikTok)
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Don't record in unusual resolutions like 1280×1024 — they won't scale cleanly
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If exporting square or vertical versions, reframe the shot — don't just crop or stretch
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Consistent aspect ratios also help with thumbnail design and end screen layout
GoalCrisp, smooth playback optimized for web streaming — preserving clarity while keeping file sizes manageable
Master codecProRes 422/4444 or DNxHR HQX
Delivery codecH.264 or H.265 in MP4
AudioAAC 48 kHz, 192–320 kbps
Default aspect ratio16:9
