Recorder to get smaller video sizes?

briankoz · 02-23-2009, 03:31 PM

Hey all,

I was hoping someone good at video recording could help me out here. I've been trying to do a bunch of video tutorials on a few things (recording my screen while talking into my microphone), but even a 10 to 15 minute tutorial turns out to be a HUGE file -- upwards of 500 to 650 mb or so.

I've used a few different software tools like camstudio, camtasia, etc., but even when I try to downsize the quality, it's still HUGE.

But I know others are making large size tutorials that aren't that big file size wise.

Any help / suggestions?

Brian

JayMartins · 02-23-2009, 04:06 PM

Hi Brian,

I'm trying to record some screencasts for my website visitors to stream and I want it perfect.

So far if I use Camtasia Studio 6.0.0 and export as MP4 at 590 x 440 (which is quite small but has the zoom feature on Camtasia) with a Bitrate OF 500 kbps and a frame rate of 5 and audio bitrate of 56 kbps

2 minute video turns out at 5 MB.

Does that sound about right?

Is this going to seriously alienate my visitors?

What else can I do if it is?

jonhel · 02-23-2009, 05:11 PM

Brian,

I found a Youtube video sometime ago which gives an excellent rundown on how to keep your videos to a reasonable size using Camstudio - it may have come from a post on this forum but I can't recall.

Correct Settings for Audio/Video Sync CamStudio Problems | DEVTRENCH

Hope it's helpful to you.

Jonathan

LonNaylor · 02-23-2009, 07:01 PM

Couple of things...

If the file you are talking about is the recorded source file...Yes...it WILL be huge. It's an uncompressed source file.

You should use compression in your software (i.e. Camtasia) to squish it down. In Camtasia 6, MP4 or Camtasia 5 FLV are good choices.

The best compression however comes from software that does one thing and one thing only...take really big files and make them as small as possible like Sorenson Squeeze or Flix from On2.

Other tips for smaller file size:

Don't record the whole screen unless you have to...only the window or area you need.

Play with settings: lower frame rate, bit rate, quality setting until you get something you can live with. Use the Preview Manager in Camtasia to save time here.

02-23-2009, 03:31 PM	#1
briankoz Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Madison, WI , USA. Posts: 3,836 Thanks: 0 Thanked 23 Times in 17 Posts	Recorder to get smaller video sizes? Hey all, I was hoping someone good at video recording could help me out here. I've been trying to do a bunch of video tutorials on a few things (recording my screen while talking into my microphone), but even a 10 to 15 minute tutorial turns out to be a HUGE file -- upwards of 500 to 650 mb or so. I've used a few different software tools like camstudio, camtasia, etc., but even when I try to downsize the quality, it's still HUGE. But I know others are making large size tutorials that aren't that big file size wise. Any help / suggestions? Brian
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02-23-2009, 04:06 PM	#2
JayMartins Offline Marketer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 85 Thanks: 7 Thanked 79 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Recorder to get smaller video sizes? Hi Brian, I'm trying to record some screencasts for my website visitors to stream and I want it perfect. So far if I use Camtasia Studio 6.0.0 and export as MP4 at 590 x 440 (which is quite small but has the zoom feature on Camtasia) with a Bitrate OF 500 kbps and a frame rate of 5 and audio bitrate of 56 kbps 2 minute video turns out at 5 MB. Does that sound about right? Is this going to seriously alienate my visitors? What else can I do if it is?

02-23-2009, 05:11 PM	#3
jonhel HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 239 Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Recorder to get smaller video sizes? Brian, I found a Youtube video sometime ago which gives an excellent rundown on how to keep your videos to a reasonable size using Camstudio - it may have come from a post on this forum but I can't recall. Correct Settings for Audio/Video Sync CamStudio Problems \| DEVTRENCH Hope it's helpful to you. Jonathan
	Warrior For Hire - Freelance web developer/troubleshooter/fixer etc. - Affordable website help

02-23-2009, 07:01 PM	#4
LonNaylor HyperActive Warrior Join Date: May 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 426 Thanks: 31 Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking	Re: Recorder to get smaller video sizes? Couple of things... If the file you are talking about is the recorded source file...Yes...it WILL be huge. It's an uncompressed source file. You should use compression in your software (i.e. Camtasia) to squish it down. In Camtasia 6, MP4 or Camtasia 5 FLV are good choices. The best compression however comes from software that does one thing and one thing only...take really big files and make them as small as possible like Sorenson Squeeze or Flix from On2. Other tips for smaller file size: Don't record the whole screen unless you have to...only the window or area you need. Play with settings: lower frame rate, bit rate, quality setting until you get something you can live with. Use the Preview Manager in Camtasia to save time here.
	Lon Naylor Learn Camtasia FAST Create Killer PowerPoint Videos Screencast Profits: Make MORE money with your Camtasia videos.