How to Choose the Recording Compression

A codec compresses videos down to smaller sizes, or decompresses videos for playback. Here, you will learn about the codecs you can use in Morae.

The word codec stands for compressor/decompressor. A codec is the algorithm used to create a video. By default, Windows comes with different codecs you can use in Morae. Each codec has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Certain codecs are better to use in certain situations, because of the way they compress content.

There are options for selecting a screen recording codec:

  • Default
  • Custom

Use the following guidelines to choose a codec to use for recording:

Default

In most cases, select this option when recording computer screen-based sessions. This option produces the highest quality recordings, but may create extremely large files if the screen has a lot of motion (such as a video playing) or a camera is the main video source.

Custom

Only for advanced users. If you choose custom video compression settings, you may not be able to record or use the recording in Manager.

Technical Issue?Questions and Feedback
Title Category Level Format
000 - Getting Started 1: Morae Overview Getting Started I Video
001 - Getting Started 2: Recorder Getting Started I Video
002 - Getting Started 3: Observer Getting Started I Video
003 - Getting Started 4: Manager Getting Started I Video
004 - Analyze Session Data Analyze I Video
005 - Audio Notes Share III Written
006 - Change the Communication Port in Observer Observer III Written
007 - Choose and Designate the Task Logger Setup II Written
008 - Choose the Recorder Computer Name or IP Address Observer II Written
009 - Configure Wii™ Remote for Logging Setup III Written
010 - Connect Observer to Recorder Observer II Written
011 - Convert Morae Recording Files (RDG) to AVI or WMV Share III Written
012 - Create a Custom Graph Analyze II Written
013 - Create a Highlight Video Share II Written
014 - Create and Organize a Project Analyze II Written
015 - Create a Report with the Add-In for Word Share II Written
016 - Create a Table of Contents Share II Written
017 - Create a Test Recording Setup II Written
018 - Create Session Handouts Setup II Written
019 - Create Video Clips Analyze II Written
020 - Customize Observer for Your Session Observer II Written
021 - Define Recording Details Setup II Written
022 - Define Study Details Setup II Written
023 - Deliver Surveys with Observer Surveys II Written
024 - Documentation Documentation I Written
025 - Export to PowerPoint Share II Written
026 - Export Videos to Screencast.com Share II Written
027 - Finalize Observer Session Observer II Written
028 - How to Choose the Recording Compression Record III Written
029 - Log in Observer Log II Written
030 - Log in Recorder Log II Written
031 - Log with a Wii™ Remote Log III Written
032 - Marker Logging Log II Video/Written
033 - Merge Studies Analyze III Written
034 - Normalize Storyboard Audio Share II Written
035 - Record Automated Sessions with Autopilot Record II Video/Written
036 - Recorder Start and Stop Options Record II Written
037 - Record More (or Less) than the Main Monitor Record II Written
038 - Search for Data in Recordings Analyze II Written
039 - Search Profiles Analyze II Written
040 - Select Video and Audio Sources for Recording Record II Written
041 - Set Recorder Preferences Setup II Written
042 - Set up an AutoPilot Test Setup II Written
043 - Share Highlight Videos Share II Written
044 - Tasks in Manager Analyze II Written
045 - Task Logging Log II Written
046 - Template Study Configurations Setup II Written
047 - Troubleshooting Observer to Recorder Connection Issues Observer II Written
048 - Using Chat to Communicate with Stakeholders Observer I Written
049 - Video Delay in Observer Observer III Written
050 - View Search Results in the Chart View Analyze II Written
051 - View Survey Answers Analyze II Written
052 - View Your Notes and Markers Following a Session Observer II Written