Zoom: Tips for Reducing File Size and Upload Times for Local Recordings

If you have a slower connection to the internet, it can take additional time to upload local recordings to Kaltura. Use the following tips to reduce the amount of time it takes to upload a Zoom recording to Kaltura.

Note:  If you are not part of the Health Care Component (HCC) then you can use the Zoom Cloud Recording to Kaltura Integration to have the recording sent straight to Kaltura from Zoom automatically, allowing you to skip these steps all together. 

In this article: 

• Make Shorter Recordings
  • Using Playlists to Group Topic Recordings Together
• Reduce Screen Resolution Before Recording
• Compress Recording Before Uploading

If you record multiple class sessions over the duration of an academic term with the Zoom for Canvas Integration, use Record on this Computer rather than Record to the Cloud. When the recordings are finished, upload them to Kaltura and share them in Canvas using these steps:

• Canvas: Add Media Using Kaltura with the Rich Content Editor, or
• Canvas: Add Kaltura Videos to Media Galleries
  • This option allows users to complete a text search across recordings

Make Shorter Recordings

Lengthy recordings (e.g. 50 minutes or more) take longer to upload and are challenging for students or viewers to navigate. Follow the suggestions at Use Zoom to Chunk Video for your Canvas Course Site to make shorter recording "chunks" which take less time to upload. Aim for 10-minute chunks delineated by topic.

Using Playlists to Group Topic Recordings Together

Reassemble video chunks using playlists in Kaltura:

1. Record your lecture in Zoom by choosing Record on this Computer and break your recording into chunks by topic. 
2. In the Media Gallery of your Canvas course, create a playlist
   1. Give the playlist a descriptive name such as Week 2 - Lecture 2
   2. Add each of the topic recordings to the playlist.
3. Viewers will then be able to view that group of recordings sequentially from the Media Gallery, or you can post the playlist to a page in Canvas using the Rich Content Editor > Embed Media from Kaltura.

Reduce Screen Resolution Before Recording

If you plan to share your screen while recording in Zoom, reduce the resolution of your display before you start the meeting and begin recording. Reducing resolution decreases the amount of information Zoom has to capture, resulting in a smaller file.

Note: Lowering screen resolution makes text and objects bigger in the recording. Make a test recording to see if important content fits comfortably in the viewable area.

Reducing Screen Resolution on Windows 10

1. From the Start menu, select the Settings icon.
2. Select System, then Display.
3. Under Display Resolution, choose a lower value. 
   • For example, the resolution selected is 1920 x 1080 (Recommended); change it to 1440 x 900.
     
4. Close the Settings window, then start/record your Zoom meeting with your new selection.

Reducing Screen Resolution on Mac

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences. 
2. Select Displays, then the Display tab.
3. Next to Resolution, select Scaled. 
4. Choose a setting that results in larger text.
   
5. Close System Preferences, then start/record your Zoom meeting with your new selection.

Compress Recording Before Uploading

Use these steps to compress a recording file on your computer, so it takes less time to upload:

1. Download and install ScreenPal for Mac or Windows.
2. From the main screen of ScreenPal select Import. 
3. From the file selection box, select the video you wish to make smaller.
4. In ScreenPal, select the imported file to open the detail view.
5. In the Options box in the lower right, select Save as Video File.
6. Set Quality to Normal.
7. Choose Publish, then OK. ScreenPal saves a compressed file to your desktop that is significantly smaller than the original. Use this file to upload to Kaltura.

Note: Compression reduces the clarity/fidelity of objects and text. Review the new file to ensure important content remains readable.