Instructional Design & Online Course Support

University of Wisconsin

  • Home
  • Contributors
  • Course Design
  • Online Teaching
  • Tools & Technology
  • Policies & Procedures

Tips for Improved Video Resolution

Posted: April 6, 2016 | Last Modified: October 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

When producing videos for classes, especially instructional / demonstration videos, getting a resolution for both the embedded and full screen versions without too much degradation is important and can be tricky. Basically, it comes down to consistency in the dimensions of the capture, editing, and production. The following tips apply if you are using Camtasia to capture the video.

Select the Area

In Camtasia, when defining the recording area, set the Select Area Dimensions to 1280 X 720. This provides the best resolution for online videos.

Select Area

Set dimensions for the area to be captured

Focus

You’ll now see the boundary of the area that will be recorded. You can move that area, but don’t resize it. If you need to focus on an area, zoom the software you’re demonstrating. For example, in Excel, use the zoom tool – lower right corner of the Excel window.

Zoom tool

Zoom tool in Excel

Edit

Once you’ve recorded your video, if you need to edit it (in Camtasia), make sure to use the same dimensions as those with which you recorded (1280×720).

Editing dimensions

Editing dimensions in Camtasia

Produce

Finally, when producing your video (File > Produce & share), select MP4 only (up to 720p), thereby maintaining the dimensions.

Dimensions for production of video

Dimensions for producing video in Camtasia

Filed Under: Tools & Technology Tagged With: Multimedia

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About This Blog

Through the partnerships we form with our instructors, we develop engaging and interactive online courses. Here you’ll find ideas on course design informed by the latest research and teaching strategies that build community and instructor presence. We’ll also we share our experiences with technology, with Canvas, and with administering our online educational programs.

Affiliations



Tags

Academic Integrity Accessibility Announcements Assessment Canvas Copyright Design Fundamentals Discussion EDI Evaluations Extra Credit Feedback Fundamentals Grades Groups Instructor Instructor Presence Kaltura Kaltura Capture Learning Materials Learning Objectives Multimedia Notifications Open Educational Resources (OER) Quick Tips Quizzes Reflection Rubrics Social Presence Student Syllabus Troubleshooting Turnitin Written Assignments

iDocs · Schneider Social Science Hall 115 · University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College of Business · BIZHELP@uwec.edu

Copyright © 2014-2023 UW-Eau Claire and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in