> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openrecorder.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Video export options: resolution, frame rate, format

> Every export setting in Open Recorder — resolution presets from 480p to 4K, frame rate choices, MOV format details, and background styling options.

Open Recorder's export dialog exposes a focused set of options that let you trade off between file size, visual quality, and compatibility. Understanding what each setting does helps you pick the right combination for your use case — whether you're sharing a quick screen walkthrough in a chat thread or preparing a high-quality tutorial for a video platform.

## Resolution

Resolution controls the output canvas size. For the standard presets, the setting targets the **short edge** of the output in pixels; the long edge is calculated from the aspect ratio preset active in the editor. For 2K, the long edge is targeted instead.

| Option                | Description                                          |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **480p**              | Scales the short edge to 480 px                      |
| **720p**              | Scales the short edge to 720 px                      |
| **1080p** *(default)* | Scales the short edge to 1080 px                     |
| **4K**                | Scales the short edge to 2160 px                     |
| **Source**            | Keeps the original recording dimensions              |
| **Custom**            | Uses the exact pixel dimensions from the crop dialog |

All output dimensions are rounded to even numbers to satisfy video codec requirements.

<Note>
  The **Source** option preserves the dimensions of the raw recording file. The **Custom** option is set via the crop dialog in the editor and reflects whatever crop size you defined there.
</Note>

## Frame rate

Frame rate controls how many frames per second appear in the exported file. Lower frame rates produce smaller files; higher frame rates are smoother and better for recordings with rapid motion.

| Option                 | Description                             |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **15 FPS**             | Smallest file size                      |
| **24 FPS**             | Cinematic motion                        |
| **30 FPS** *(default)* | Smaller file, smooth playback           |
| **60 FPS**             | Best for fast cursor movement           |
| **Source**             | Keeps the original recording frame rate |

<Tip>
  For sharing in chat or on social media, **1080p at 30 FPS** is the best default. Switch to **60 FPS** if your recording contains fast cursor movements or animations, as these can look choppy at lower frame rates.
</Tip>

## Format

Open Recorder currently exports in **MOV (QuickTime Movie)** format only.

* The file is encoded using `AVAssetExportPresetHighestQuality`, which targets the highest quality the export session supports.
* `shouldOptimizeForNetworkUse` is enabled, which moves the `moov` atom to the front of the file (sometimes called "fast start"). This means the file begins playing in a browser or media player before it has fully downloaded.
* The file extension is `.mov`.

<Note>
  MP4 and GIF export are not yet supported. These formats were available in an earlier version of Open Recorder and are planned for a future release.
</Note>

## Background styling

The background you configured in the editor is baked into every exported frame at render time. This includes:

* **Background style** — gradient, solid color, wallpaper image, or transparent
* **Padding** — the gap between the recording canvas and the outer edge of the frame
* **Border radius** — rounded corners on the recording window
* **Shadow** — drop shadow behind the recording window
* **Inset** — an inner border or letterbox area around the recording

Because these settings are composited during rendering, the same MOV file carries the styled background wherever it is shared. There is no separate "background layer" that can be turned off after export.

## Aspect ratio and crop

The aspect ratio preset in the editor — 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, or others — determines the shape of the output canvas. The recording is fitted inside that canvas, with background styling filling any remaining space.

When you use the crop dialog to set a specific crop region, the cropped area becomes the source content for export. If you set a custom pixel size in the crop dialog, Open Recorder sets the resolution to **Custom** and uses those exact dimensions as the output size. If the crop dialog uses a named resolution preset (such as 1080p), the resolution picker in the export dialog updates to match.

## Cursor overlay

When the cursor overlay is enabled in the editor, a stylized animated cursor is composited into the exported video. The cursor position is sampled from the telemetry recorded during capture and mapped frame-by-frame to the correct position in the output.

The cursor overlay is only available when:

1. **Accessibility permission** was granted before the recording started — this is what allows Open Recorder to capture the cursor position during recording.
2. The recording contains cursor telemetry samples.

If Accessibility was not granted at the time of recording, no cursor data was captured and the overlay option is unavailable for that recording.