Screencast-o-matic is a very affordable software that y'all can use to create screencasts, screen recordings, and instructional videos. I've used SOM for years and highly recommend it. It's pretty easy to apply and nigh folks become up and running pretty quickly. Still, some users may find that their first few videos aren't as practiced every bit they expected them to be. Hither are some tips to meliorate the quality of the recordings.

Utilize Maximum Resolution Available

If you program to upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or any other online host, information technology'due south likely that viewers will want to view your video in total screen mode, particularly if you are recording a spider web folio with text. If you tape at a depression resolution, and so the video will be fuzzy when viewed full screen.

If you're recording on a laptop, check the maximum resolution of your laptop screen in your computer'southward brandish settings. Many business concern class and inexpensive personal laptops ofttimes have maximum resolutions such as 1366 x 768, which is non Full Hard disk. If you can only record on a laptop, brand sure you apply the "Full Screen" setting in Screencast-o-matic (both total screen . While full screen is only a few pixels more than the 720p setting, you lot'll be capturing as much resolution as possible. Information technology volition still be a flake fuzzy when played total screen, simply perhaps not as bad since you are capturing every bachelor pixel on your screen.

the Fullscreen option in Screencast-o-matic
Select "Fullscreen" for optimal resolution

Employ an external monitor or Boob tube

If you have ane of those laptops with a low-res screen, you can increase the resolution past plugging into an external monitor or Tv set. As an example, my laptop only has a max of 1366 x 768, but when I plug into an external monitor, the resolution is 1920 ten 1080 (total Hard disk drive). This means that if I record on the external monitor in full Hard disk drive, Screencast-o-matic captures the monitor resolution and the video will non be fuzzy when played on full screen fashion on YouTube.

Once you plug into an external monitor, check and adjust your display settings. You can probably increment the resolution to full Hd (1920 x 1080) on about mod monitors.

Become a amend photographic camera

If y'all are using an cheap or business form laptop, your webcam probably stinks. It might have a maximum resolution of 720p, that is okay for Teams and Zoom meetings, but it merely won't cut it if you want well-baked on-camera video of yourself.

Use an external webcam

One choice is to use an external webcam. My preferred make is Logitech. They accept a diversity of webcams at dissimilar cost points, but simply choose one that is Full Hd — y'all don't need 4k for instructional video. I use the Logitech C920. I specially appreciate that you tin can use either the LogiCapture or G-Hub software to customize your camera settings. This keeps yous from looking like a Smurf if the white balance is off, or like yous are in a witness protection program due to poor camera exposure.

Customize your camera settings with Logitech G-Hub
Customize your camera settings with Logitech G-Hub

Use your telephone's video camera

If you don't have a better webcam (or they are sold out due to a global pandemic and everyone's working from dwelling house) you can also apply your telephone to record yourself. I suggest using a tripod to hold your telephone and avoid shaky footage. While nearly phones have both a front end-facing (selfie) photographic camera and a rear-facing camera, the rear-facing photographic camera is generally a better camera and offers a higher maximum resolution. While information technology may seem easier to run across yourself while recording on the selfie camera, you'll have much better results using the rear-facing camera on your phone. Brand sure you ready the camera settings to Full HD (1920 x 1080).

In one case you tape your video, you demand to get the video file on the computer that has Screencast-o-matic installed. The file will be too large to email, then you'll need to either transfer via USB or a deject service (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc. ). Use the Import button in Screencast-o-matic to import the file into the editor. If you lot are importing the phone file into a video y'all recorded of your estimator screen, , yous will probably need to adapt the audio volumes to lucifer since they are from two different audio sources.

Use an external microphone

Typically the mics on our laptops are not very good. If you desire to get ameliorate sound, I suggest using an external microphone. This tin can exist equally simple as a briefing call headset or your phone's earbuds. If you desire to go more than elaborate, the Blue microphones are highly recommended and easy to use.

If you are using an external webcam, that sound is generally better than you computer's mic, but it will selection up extra noises around the business firm/office.

If yous want to capture ameliorate audio when using your telephone's video camera, I suggest either a lavalier mic or a phone-specific shotgun mic.

Cheque out some tutorials

I hope this mail helps you improve the quality of your videos. I've plant the Screencast-o-matic tutorials useful in building my skills likewise. Finally, cheque out other blog posts on abode role and video production setups. I especially similar this post that offers suggestions for setups at different price points. Good luck!