If you plan to have a Zoom recording edited by a video editor (or you plan to clean it up yourself using Screenflow or Camtasia) there are some simple settings for you to checkoff before your meeting time.

The instructions below are for a Mac, but a PC should have very similar options.

First, check for updates to make sure you’re running the most current version of Zoom software on your computer.

Start Zoom, click on zoom.us in the upper left corner, then select Check for Updates and run the update if available.

Click again on zoom.us in the upper left corner, then select Preferences. On the Video tab, make sure that HD is checked in the camera section.

For Cloud Recordings.

If you are recording two or more people, you should record to the cloud (unless you have the free version of Zoom.) Cloud recording allows you to record a separate video for each participant.

  1. Start Zoom, click on zoom.us in the upper left corner, then select Preferences.

    On the General Tab, scroll to the bottom and choose “View More Settings.” This will open your Zoom account in a web browser. Click on the Recordings tab
  2. On the Recordings tab, set the checkboxes according to the image below. The important settings are highlighted. Note that it’s important for some to be turned ON and for others to be turned OFF.

For meetings of three or more people, you can record in HD if this feature is enabled in your account. If you have a Pro account, you must contact Zoom tech support to request this feature. More expensive plans have it automatically enabled.

This setting is in the website version (not the application on your computer.) You’ll select Settings, then Meetings, then In Meeting (Advanced) then check Group HD video.

Local Recordings

If you are using Zoom to record just yourself, then you should record locally to your hard drive to get the best image quality.

  1. Start Zoom, click on zoom.us in the upper left corner, then select Preferences. On the Recording tab
  2. On the Recording tab, set the checkboxes according to the image below. The important settings are highlighted. Note that it’s important for some to be turned ON and for others to be turned OFF.