In this presentation, you will learn how to dramatically increase the quality of your Zoom meeting recordings. In our last blog post and video, you can learn about the various video recording options available in Zoom. Our tests show that cloud recordings are generally less than 1 Mbps and local recordings are less than 2 Mbps. A bitrate can be used to rank the quality of a video recording in most scenarios and Zoom’s recording bitrate is quite low. Usually, a low bit-rate for video recordings can result in pixelation and general low quality. Using video production software like OBS, Wirecast, or vMix you can gain the ability to choose a higher quality bit-rate for your recordings. Video production software like OBS also allows you to enhance the quality of your videos with audio enhancements and video production features such as transitions and scene organizations. Here is a small list of the benefits of using OBS for video recordings versus Zoom.

1. How to improve Zoom Video
Quality

2. OBS
Return Video: External Output / Virtual Webcam
Zoom
Virtual Audio Cable A (Microphone in Zoom & Audio Output in OBS)
Virtual Audio Cable B (Speaker in Zoom & Microphone Input in OBS)
Video Capture:
Desktop Capture Input
Monitor #1 Monitor #2

3. 320x240
640x480
1280x720
1920x1080
Most Callers
in Zoom
Some Zoom
Recordings
Most Recordings
Use OBS, vMix or
Wirecast

4. Unscientific Video Quality Scale
1Mbps 20Mbps+
2Mbps 6Mbps 12Mbps
Zoom Local
Recordings
Most Live Streams
Full HD YouTube
Videos
4K Video
Zoom Cloud
Recordings
10X Your Video Quality

5. Type Video Bitrate, Standard
Frame Rate (24, 25, 30)
Video Bitrate, High
Frame Rate (48, 50,
60)
1080p 8 Mbps 12 Mbps
720p 5 Mbps 7.5 Mbps
480p 2.5 Mbps 4 Mbps
360p 1 Mbps 1.5 Mbps

6. Use Zoom For What it’s Good At!

7. Zoom Recording Settings Dashboard

8. Great Zoom Recording Features Include:

9. Audio Transcription is Awesome! You can also
save the chat!

10. The Results for Cloud Recordings

11. The Results for Local Recordings

12. Cloud Recording 3 Videos at Once!

13. Pros and Cons for OBS Recordings
OBS Pros: OBS Cons:
1. Play videos into Zoom
2. Create custom meeting
countdown timers in Zoom
1. Uses extra computer power
2. Can be hard for some to set up
3. Simply not as easy to use as
Zoom’s built in features
3. Record and Stream in
high quality high-bitrate
video
4. Use for tons of other solutions
once you know how

15. Pros and Cons for OBS Recordings
OBS Pros: OBS Cons:
1. Virtual Sets & Full HD Green
Screens
2. Live Stream at the same
time
1. Requires an additional piece of
software
2. Not always intuitive
3. Takes some time to learn
3. NDI support for additional
video production elements
4. Amazing plugins
including audio
enhancements

16. Pros and Cons for OBS Recordings
OBS Pros:
1. Way better for local cameras in
your space
2. Awesome video production
options for layouts and
scenes
3. Impress your friends and
co-workers

17. OBS
Return Video: External Output / Virtual Webcam
Zoom
Virtual Audio Cable A (Microphone in Zoom & Audio Output in OBS)
Virtual Audio Cable B (Speaker in Zoom & Microphone Input in OBS)
Video Capture:
Desktop Capture Input
Monitor #1 Monitor #2

19. Free Virtual Sets for
All!
Join the PTZOptics User Group and search for
Virtual Sets. There is a free download for over 20 of
our premium virtual sets.

20. HD Webcam Feature
Don’t forget to click the “HD”
button under your webcam.
This will make sure your
webcam is not zoomed in
digitally.
It will also reconnect to your
webcam in HD.

21. Turn this feature on in your Zoom dashboard

22. The New Group HD Feature!
For the time being, standard video, not HD video, will be
activated when 3 or more participants join a group
meeting. HD video (720p) will be activated for 2
participants
1. Group HD will activate 720p video quality for the
active speaker video layout in a group meeting.
2. Full high definition video, 1080p, is limited
availability for Business and Enterprise plans.
Now, there’s still more. In order to get HD video in Zoom
there are a few prerequisites.

23. Note: When using the
virtual background
feature without a
green screen, your
video will be capped
at 720p, potentially at
360p for some lower-
end Windows
computers.

24. Video Statistics
These statistics are found in the
Settings area of Zoom.

25. How to use a Countdown timer
for Zoom Meetings
Check out our other tutorials for
Zoom here!