Is there a screen recording software that is simple and creates low file sizes?

Question

My workplace is a school adapting to the pandemic. We need a tool on Windows that will let teachers record their voices while they show the screen, either showing a slide presentation or showing how to use an application.

The tools we have available require too many complicated steps to use, so aren't accessible to all teachers, and create a huge file size that are hard for students with slow internet to download.

At the moment, the file size is ~20 GB for a presentation of 40 slides, where technically it only needs to store 40 pictures plus audio. We get disk space problems after 30 minutes of recording.

We need something that will optimize the file size, for instance, if a slide doesn't change in minute, it doesn't need to save thousands of frames of footage, but should continue to save the audio.

At the moment we use Powerpoint 2016 for the presentation or VLC to record the screen, which needs even more steps to capture audio as well.

The actual saving steps for VLC with audio are even more complex, requiring selecting codecs, etc. which is far too complicated for most of my co-workers, even with a picture guide to follow along with.

What software can allow teachers to easily make screen recordings and creates small file sizes?

Answer 1

I recommend OBS Studio. While it is probably used mainly for streaming, it can also record the screen to disk.

For your requirements:

• it works on Windows (Windows 8 or higher). I use it on Windows.
• it can record your screen
• it can record audio
• it compresses to MP4, H264 Codec, which produces small file sizes

The initial setup may take some time, but it will be saved, so all subsequent recordings are much easier.

One time setup

1. download and install OSB Studio

2. create a profile. Profiles define the resolution and hotkeys you work with. I create one named FHD for a full HD recording.

   

3. Go to settings

   

4. Define the resolution you want to work with. Here I choose 1920x1080 for FullHD. Ideally choose the same resultions to no scaling is required.

   

5. Create a new scene collection. That's just a name. I use different names for different purposes like private versus commercial projects. You might only need one scene collection. I'll name it SR Demo here.

   

6. By default, there's one scene called Scene. That's probably sufficient for you at the beginning.

7. Add a source by clicking the + Icon, choose Display Capture

   

8. Select the screen that you want to record.

   

9. Add an audio capture source

   

10. Select the audio device that shall be used, likely a microphone

    

11. Go to settings

    

12. For ease of use, assign a hotkey to "Start recording" and "Stop recording". This makes it possible to use OBS without having it in front. Otherwise you'll always see a bit of OBS at the beginning and the end of the recording. If you want to avoid video editing, a hotkey is a good idea. Note that you can use the same hotkey for starting and stopping, which is convenient.

    

13. Set up the output format for recording. Here's what I use:

    

    You might prefer Average bitrate (ABR). Note that you also set up the output path in this dialog.

14. Start the presentation in full screen mode.

15. Press the hotkey to start recording.

16. Press the hotkey to stop recording. Make sure you don't close OBS too early before it finishes processing of the video.

Next time recording

1. Start OBS

2. Start the presentation in full screen mode.

3. Press the hotkey to start recording.

4. Press the hotkey to stop recording.

If that ain't simple ...

Result

I have recorded 45 seconds in Full HD with ABR, which gave me a 8 MB file. For 2 hours, that's an estimated 1.3 GB file size. I hope it suits your needs.