Wondering how to record Vidyard videos with the highest resolution quality?
This guide aims to help you understand what output quality you should expect when recording videos with Vidyard. It also explains how your hardware setup (your webcam, computer’s display settings, etc) may also affect the final output resolution of the videos you record.
In general, there are 2 primary factors that influence the output resolution of videos that you record:
- The Vidyard application you are using to create the video (browser extension, desktop app, etc).
- The allowable resolution quality of your input source (your webcam, your computer’s display settings, and other aspects of your hardware setup).
Choosing the right recording tool (browser extension, desktop app, + more)
Vidyard has several applications that allow you to record videos, including:
- the browser extension (Chrome & Edge)
- the mobile app (iOS & Android)
- the desktop app (Windows and MacOS)
- Vidyard for Gmail, Vidyard for Outlook (+ other integrations)
Understanding the maximum output resolution of each recording app is important, especially if you want to record with a high resolution webcam or capture your screen on a high resolution monitor.
For example: because the browser extension has a maximum output resolution of 1080p, you may end up with a blurry video if you record your screen on something like a 1440p (UHD) or ultra wide (3440x1140) monitor. Instead, try the Vidyard desktop app because it can produce a higher output resolution.
Here’s a breakdown of the output resolution for each recording app.
| Recording tool | Output resolution |
| The browser extension (Chrome & Edge) | Up to 1080p |
| Integrated apps (Vidyard for Gmail, Outlook) — screen recording | |
| Integrated apps (Vidyard for Gmail, Outlook) — camera recording | Up to 720p |
| The mobile apps (Android & iOS) | |
| The desktop apps (Windows & MacOS) |
If your device allows it, recordings match the resolution of your input source (up to 4k). For example, if we can receive a 1080p resolution from your webcam, the maximum possible resolution will be 1080p. |
Get to know the resolution specs of your hardware
If your device allows it, Vidyard’s desktop app can record videos in Full HD—that means from 1080p (1920 x 1080px) and up to 4K (3840 x 2160px).
It all comes down to your hardware and the allowable resolution quality of your input source. The input source refers to whatever you are using to record the video:
- for camera only recordings → input source = your webcam (built-in camera or external webcam)
- for screen recordings → input source = the resolution of your computer’s operating system + the display settings of your monitor(s)
What resolution does my webcam support?
Whether you are using the built-in camera for your computer or an external webcam, you’ll want to look up its technical specs to understand the camera’s maximum resolution capability.
| Camera type | Details |
| Built-in camera (MacBook computers) | Go to Apple’s technical specification page to look up your laptop’s details
The built-in camera for most MacBook computers is typically a 720p FaceTime HD camera |
| Built-in camera (Windows computers) | Refer to your computer’s user guide or look up its specifications online |
| External webcams | Refer to your webcam’s user guide or look up its specifications online |
A note about using professional photography cameras as webcams
If you are using a professional photography camera as a webcam (for example, the Canon EOS RP), be mindful of the other components in your end-to-end setup that may affect the final output resolution of the video:
- 👉 The cable(s) that connect your camera to the computer. For example, a USB 2.0 cable may not have the bandwidth to carry 4k resolution.
- 👉 Any software or camera capture card that you’re using to convert the video signal from your photography camera into a webcam (for example, Canon’s EOS Webcam Utility). Ask yourself: might the software or firmware in your camera alter the resolution quality as it's delivered to your computer?
What is the display resolution of my computer’s operating system?
When you use Vidyard's desktop app to record your screen, your computer’s display resolution determines the output for the video. You can find the display resolution in your computer’s system settings or you can look up its specifications online.
For screen recordings on external monitors, make sure to check the resolution you have set for the monitor in your computer’s display settings.
| Display type | Details |
| Built-in display (MacBook computers) | Go to Apple’s technical specification page to look up your laptop’s details
A MacBook Pro 13”, for example, has a display resolution of 2560 x 1600. You can also find the display resolution on your computer:
|
| Built-in display (Windows computers) | Refer to your computer’s user guide or look up its specifications online |
| External monitors |
The desktop app records external monitors at whatever resolution is set for that monitor in your computer’s display settings. For example, on a MacBook, you can go to System Preferences > Displays, then select Scaled to set the resolution.
|
How to check the final output resolution of your video
After you’ve recorded a video, you can check the final output resolution in 2 ways:
- 👉 Check the download options for your video. The download menu lists the different resolution qualities of your video.
- 👉 Check the quality options on your video's player controls. These settings show you (or the viewer) the different resolutions that you can watch the video in.
Check the video’s available download resolutions
- Open the menu next to the video in your library
- Select Download
- Note the maximum resolution available to download
Check the quality settings on the video’s player controls
- Copy and paste the sharing page link for your video into a new browser tab
- Select the settings menu on the player (⚙️), then open the Quality dropdown menu
- Note the maximum resolution available to select from the menu
