logo

Record a Video with Snagit

Learn how to capture a video and make quick edits before sharing with colleagues.

tutorial

In this tutorial:

Video Capture Overview

When a screenshot isn’t enough, record a video of the screen as an MP4 file. You can choose to record microphone audio, system audio, and a webcam. Use Snagit videos to:

  • Walk someone through a process or issue.
  • Record a demonstration or a how-to video.
  • Record a presentation with slides and video of the speaker.
  • Send someone audio and visual feedback in a video.
  • Record a small portion of an online video or animation.
  • Record and narrate a set of images with the Create Video from Images option. See Turn Your Screenshots into a Video.

Record a Video

  1. In the Capture window, select the Video tab. To learn about the settings on this tab, see Video Capture Settings.
    Video tab in Capture Window
  2. Click the Capture button or press Print Screen (Windows) or Control+Shift+C (Mac).
    Capture button
  3. The orange crosshairs appear. Click and drag to select the area to record on the screen or click the Fullscreen button to select the entire screen. For more information about selecting the recording area, see Recording Dimensions (Resolution).
    Selection crosshairs and Fullscreen button
  4. To edit the selected area, complete any of the following:
    • Drag the handles to adjust the selection.
    • To enter a specific size, type the dimensions in pixels into the Width and Height fields.
    • To move the selected area on the screen, click within the highlighted area and drag the selection to the desired location.
      Video selected area and recording toolbar
      Tip: Press G to show the video selection guidelines while selecting an area to record. See Recording Dimensions (Resolution).
  5. The Video Recording toolbar appears. Click a button on the toolbar to turn the option on or off before or during recording.
    Recording toolbar
    • Webcam: Record live video from the connected or built-in webcam. Click the dropdown to select the camera device and Picture-in-Picture or Fullscreen webcam options. See Record a Picture-in-Picture Video.
      Video recording toolbar with webcam options
    • System Audio: Record the sound from your computer such as application alerts or the audio playing from your computer speakers.
      System Audio button
    • Microphone audio: Record the audio from your computer’s built-in microphone or from a connected USB microphone.
      Microphone button
  6. To begin recording, click the Record button or press Shift+F9 (Windows) or Command+Shift+Space (Mac).
    Record button
  7. To pause recording, click the Pause button or press Shift+F9 (Windows) or Command+Shift+Space (Mac).
    Pause button
  8. To stop the recording, click the Stop button or press Shift+F10 (Windows) or Option+Shift+V (Mac).
    Stop button

The capture opens in Snagit Editor where you can preview, edit, and share the capture.

Note: To enable the webcam or microphone on Mac, you must allow Snagit access. In the System Preferences, select Security & Privacy > Privacy tab > Microphone or Camera > enable Snagit 2022. See MacOS Permissions.

Video Capture Settings

Tip: Save time with capture presets.

If you frequently use the same video dimensions or recording settings, save the settings as a preset for future use. See Save Capture Settings as Presets.

Selection

Select a recording area option: Region, Window (Windows), or Fullscreen (Mac). Click the gear icon for additional options.
Selection control

Share

Select to share the video recording to a specific destination or select None to select a destination later. For more information about sharing destinations, see Share Captures.
Share control

Record Webcam

Record a built-in webcam or other camera device.
Record Webcam toggle and arrow

  1. Toggle webcam on or off.
  2. Click arrow to select options:
    • Device: Select built-in webcam or connected device to record.
    • Placement: Select the location for the Picture-in-Picture window in your final video or select Fullscreen (Windows) or Fullscreen Webcam (Mac).
    • Shape: Select Circle, Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Square, or Rounded Square for Picture-in-Picture webcam display.

Preview in Editor

Open the capture in Snagit Editor to preview, edit, and share the video.
Preview in Editor toggle

To skip previewing and editing the capture in Snagit Editor and share directly to a destination:

  1. Toggle this option off.
  2. In the Capture window, select a Share option.

Capture Cursor

Include the cursor in the capture.
Capture Cursor toggle

Note: For video captures, it is recommended to capture the cursor with video recordings to show where the action occurs on the screen.

Record Microphone

Record audio using a microphone device during video capture.
Record Microphone control

  • Toggle microphone recording on or off.
  • Click arrow to select a microphone device.

Record System Audio

Record the system audio (sounds from applications and websites) during video capture.
Record System Audio toggle

Recording Dimensions (Resolution)

To create quality videos, you should consider the recording dimensions before starting the video recording. It is important to select the appropriate dimensions for where you plan to share the video with your audience. Snagit provides several ways to help you select the appropriate dimensions for your video recordings.

Select the Video Recording Area

Snagit offers the flexibility to record custom dimensions, a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, the entire screen, a region, or a window. Frame the screen content by selecting a recording area that only includes the relevant screen content.

Fullscreen

Click the Fullscreen button.
Fullscreen button

Window

  1. Hover the cursor over the window to record.
    Selection area crosshairs
  2. An orange border appears around the window. Click to select.

Region

Click and drag to select an area on the screen. To lock the selection to a specific aspect ratio:

  • 16:9:
    • Windows: Hold Control and drag.
    • Mac: Hold Shift and drag.
  • 4:3: Hold Shift and drag (Windows only).

Custom Dimensions

  1. Click and drag to select an area on the screen.
  2. The toolbar appears. Enter the custom dimensions into the Width and Height fields.
    Video recording dimensions

Standard Dimensions

Snagit’s video guides show standard or recommended dimensions (up to 1920×1080) for common video sharing destinations such as YouTube, websites, and mobile devices. Available video guides are:

  • 1080p: 1920×1080
  • 720p: 1280×720
  • 640×480
  • 320×240

If you plan to share your video to a location that requires specific video dimensions, it is recommended to record at these dimensions or at the same aspect ratio as the recommended dimensions.

  1. When selecting an area to record, press G to turn the video selection guides on or off.
  2. Click and drag to select the recording area. As you drag the cursor near one of the standard dimensions, the guide dimly appears.
  3. Continue to drag the cursor until the selection border highlights to match the guide.

Tip: Limit video recordings to one hour or less.

It is recommended to limit video recordings to one hour or less. Recording longer than one hour can lead to problems with the video or a failed video capture.

Note: This tutorial is for Snagit version 2022. Previous versions may look or function differently.

Up Next

Read

Edit a Video

Related Posts

3 min.

Record a Picture-in-Picture Video

3 min.

Create an Animated GIF

Categories / Tags

Capture
Get Started
Snagit