Introduction
Introduction
Finding your way around
Things I care about
Will you get rich?
Content Planning
Who are you teaching?
Researching your topic
Stair-stepping knowledge
Your audience wants your style
Addressing viewer objections
The ideal video length
Do it wrong on purpose!
Should you use a script?
Using a teleprompter
Recording at the same time
Dictating your content
Post-it note management
Equipment
Introduction to equipment
Picking a microphone
Deciding if you want to be on camera
Picking lights
Picking a camera
Considerations for your monitor
Recording
Ensuring consistency in your videos
Preparing yourself to record
Preparing your space for recording
Preparing your desktop for recording
Preparing your monitor for recording
Preparing your applications for recording
Screenflow for recording
Workflow process
QuickTime for recording
How to do your intros and outros
Recording in chunks
Example chunks from this course
Handling mistakes
Maximizing the longevity of your videos
For when you mess up
Editing
Editing introduction
A tour of the editor
The first pass: rough cutting
Fine tuning: covering camera cuts
Editing talking head videos
Punch head: another option to cover cut
Saving time with presets
Cropping mistakes out of your videos
Freeze frames: your secret weapon
Freeze frames: even more power
How to draw on screen
Publishing
Export settings
Exporting workflows
Hosting your videos
A few marketing ideas
Goodbye, for now (maybe!)
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Recording
Preparing your monitor for recording

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Also just bought your screen casting course and love it! You’re a natural teacher, and I’m really gifted in teaching too, and now I’m realizing I should’ve started YouTube YEARS ago. Hoping it helps me grow @DidactPlatform 🤞
Daniel M
Daniel M

Summary

Setting the right monitor resolution is key to creating clear and readable screencasts. This course explains how using a 1280x720 resolution with high DPI on Apple displays can produce sharp 2K videos that upscale easily to 4K. Learn how tools like Better Display Pro can help manage brightness for consistent, professional-quality recordings.

Video Transcript

Setting the right resolution for screencasting

Setting your monitor's resolution wisely can ease your work significantly as a screencaster. There are different ways to adjust this, but personal preference plays a key role. Let's explore the options together.

Avoiding cumbersome monitor setups

One option is to work with a very high-resolution monitor, capturing only a part of the screen. However, this approach can be cumbersome because you repeatedly have to consider your recording area, ensuring each window is adjusted correctly. Many find it simpler to set their monitor so everything visible on it becomes part of the final video output.

Using Apple's resolution settings

First up is Apple's built-in resolution tool. Navigating to system settings and displays, you can adjust the resolution for your monitor. For example, I adjust my 32-inch Dell monitor to a resolution of 1280x720. This resolution might seem low, but due to the high DPI (dots per inch), it effectively provides a crisper 2K video, ensuring readability and clarity on small screens like cell phones without needing to constantly adjust font sizes or application settings.

Upscaling for quality

The 1280x720 resolution is advantageous because it transforms into 1440p, meaning we get clear 2K video quality. This resolution easily upscales to 4K in ScreenFlow, resulting in a smooth and clean looking final product, focusing crucially on readability.

Going beyond the built-in tool with Better Display Pro

For those seeking more flexibility, Better Display Pro is a valuable third-party application. This tool not only provides positive confirmation of the high DPI but allows users to control monitor brightness beyond the manufacturer's limitations. This feature can dramatically impact the lighting captured in videos, avoiding changes in monitor display that can affect the lighting setup, and helps maintain consistent quality throughout the video production process.

Achieving optimal video clarity

To ensure your screencasts have the best clarity and readability, set your resolution to 1280x720 with high DPI for 2K output. Control monitor brightness effectively to complement your lighting setup, as this maintains a consistent scene without the hassle of manual menu navigation. With these settings, you can produce high-quality, visually appealing screencasts effortlessly.