Resolution Guide: Choosing the Right Video Quality
Understand video resolution, aspect ratios, and quality settings for screen recordings. Learn when to use 1080p vs 4K and how to optimize for different platforms.
Choosing the right resolution for your screen recordings affects file size, quality, and compatibility. Here’s everything you need to know about video resolution for screen capture.
Understanding Resolution
Resolution describes the number of pixels in your video. Higher resolution means more detail, but also larger files.
Common Resolutions
| Resolution | Name | Aspect Ratio | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920x1080 | 1080p / Full HD | 16:9 | Most common for web |
| 2560x1440 | 1440p / QHD | 16:9 | YouTube quality sweet spot |
| 3840x2160 | 4K / UHD | 16:9 | High-end production |
| 5120x2880 | 5K | 16:9 | Pro displays (iMac) |
| 6016x3384 | 6K | 16:9 | Pro Display XDR |
Retina Considerations
Mac Retina displays have higher pixel density. When recording a Retina screen:
- A 1440p Retina display can record at 2880p (2x)
- Consider your target audience’s displays
- Downscaling in post can improve quality
Choosing Your Resolution
For YouTube
YouTube recommends uploading at the highest resolution available, as it transcodes to multiple qualities. However:
- 1080p: Good for tutorials where file size matters
- 1440p: Sweet spot for quality vs file size
- 4K: Best for detailed content, future-proofing
For Social Media
Different platforms have different optimal resolutions:
- Twitter/X: 1280x720 (720p)
- Instagram Feed: 1080x1080 (square) or 1080x1350 (portrait)
- Instagram Reels/TikTok: 1080x1920 (9:16 vertical)
- LinkedIn: 1920x1080 (16:9)
For Internal Use
For training videos or documentation:
- 1080p is usually sufficient
- Prioritize clarity of text and UI elements
- Consider bandwidth for streaming within organizations
Frame Rate Considerations
Resolution and frame rate work together:
| Frame Rate | Best For |
|---|---|
| 24fps | Cinematic look |
| 30fps | General content, tutorials |
| 60fps | Gaming, smooth motion |
Higher frame rates at higher resolutions require more processing power and storage.
File Size Implications
Resolution significantly affects file size. Approximate sizes for 1 minute of video (H.264):
| Resolution | Low Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ~50 MB | ~150 MB |
| 1440p | ~90 MB | ~270 MB |
| 4K | ~180 MB | ~540 MB |
Codec Selection
Your codec choice affects quality at any resolution:
H.264 (AVC)
- Universal compatibility
- Good quality at reasonable file sizes
- Supports up to 4K
- Best for delivery and sharing
H.265 (HEVC)
- 50% smaller files at same quality
- Requires more processing power
- May have compatibility issues with older software
- Excellent for 4K content
Practical Recommendations
Tutorial Creators
Record at your display’s native resolution, then export at 1440p or 1080p. This gives you flexibility in post while keeping final files manageable.
Software Demos
Match your target audience’s common display resolution. Recording at 4K then downscaling provides crisp text even at lower final resolutions.
Gaming Content
Record at the game’s resolution, preferably at 60fps. Games often run at 1080p or 1440p, making file sizes manageable.
PixelRecorder Settings
PixelRecorder supports recording at any resolution your Mac can capture:
- Native display resolution
- Multiple monitors at different resolutions
- Camera input at various resolutions
- Independent quality settings per stream
With multi-stream recording, you can capture your high-resolution display while recording your camera at a lower resolution optimized for picture-in-picture.
Conclusion
Choose resolution based on your content type, distribution platform, and storage constraints. When in doubt, record at a higher resolution than you need - you can always downscale, but you can’t add detail that wasn’t captured.