Zencastr Editing is a paid feature that enhances and combines your separate recorded audio and video files into a polished, mixed file. When editing video recordings, you can define the aspect ratio to set the overall shape of your video and choose a video layout to control how participants appear within that shape. These options let you optimize your video mix for the platform(s) where it will be shared and reflect your distinctive brand or style preferences.
In this article:
Aspect Ratios
What are Aspect Ratios?
Aspect ratio is the width-to-height ratio that determines a video’s orientation and shape. Selecting the appropriate aspect ratio ensures your video displays optimally on your chosen platform.
Available Aspect Ratios
Zencastr offers three aspect ratios:
Landscape (16:9)
Video has a horizontal, landscape orientation.
Ideal for videos viewed on computers or laptops, and the standard for most video platforms like YouTube.
Vertical (9:16)
Video has a vertical, portrait orientation.
Optimized for mobile-first platforms like TikTok, especially when viewed on devices held upright.
Square (1:1)
Video is square.
Commonly used for social media posts, such as Instagram feeds.
Changing a Video’s Aspect Ratio
When customizing your video with Zencastr Editing, always select the aspect ratio first, before selecting the video layout, to define the canvas for your content.
To change the video’s aspect ratio:
Click the Preview button on a Recording page or next to the recording name within a session to open Preview.
On the Preview page, click the Edit button in the top right corner to open the Editor.
In the Editor, on the Audio & Video tab, click Aspect Ratio.
Select Landscape (16:9), Vertical (9:16) or Square (1:1).
Click Back.
Result: The video preview will update to reflect your selection, showing how your content fits within the new aspect ratio.
Working with Multiple Aspect Ratios
If you need to produce videos with different aspect ratios for multiple platforms (e.g., YouTube and TikTok), Zencastr allows you to create up to three separate videos with different aspect ratios in a single postproduction run. Each video will have its own audio and video settings but will share transcript edits and AI filter changes made on the Content & Clips tab.
Add a Video with a Different Aspect Ratio
To add a new video with a different aspect ratio:
Click the Preview button on a Recording page or next to the recording name within a session to open Preview.
On the Preview page, click the Edit button in the top right corner to open the Editor.
In the Editor, on the Audio & Video tab, locate the shape icon to the right of the video preview.
Click the plus (+) symbol below the shape icon.
Select the aspect ratio you want to add by clicking Add next to it.
Result: A new video with the selected aspect ratio will be created, and the video preview will switch to this new video so you can customize its audio and video settings.
Remove a Video with a Different Aspect Ratio
To remove a video that has an aspect ratio you don’t want:
Click the Preview button on a Recording page or next to the recording name within a session to open Preview.
On the Preview page, click the Edit button in the top right corner to open the Editor.
In the Editor, on the Audio & Video tab, locate the shape icon to the right of the video preview.
Click the plus (+) symbol or (x) symbol below the shape icon.
Click Remove next to the aspect ratio you no longer need.
Result: The video with the removed aspect ratio will be deleted, and the video preview will switch to another video with a different aspect ratio.
Video Layouts
What are Video Layouts?
Video layouts determine how participants’ videos are arranged within the aspect ratio you’ve selected.
Available Video Layouts
Zencastr provides a variety of video layouts so your video mix reflects your style preferences.
Solo Layout
Available for recordings with: 1 participant
Description: Displays the solo participant’s video.
Zen Layout
Available for recordings with: 2 to 6 participants
Description: Uses AI to detect the active speaker and displays that participant in a larger frame, with other participant(s) in smaller frames. The larger frame switches automatically when a different participant speaks.
Note: The active speaker switching effect is not visible in the editor Preview at this time. The effect is applied when the postproduction is actually run and will be seen in the final mix.
Active Speaker Layout
Available for recordings with: 2 to 6 participants
Description: Uses AI to detect the active speaker and displays that participant in a larger frame. The larger frame switches automatically when a different participant speaks.
Note: The active speaker switching effect is not visible in the editor Preview at this time. The effect is applied when the postproduction is actually run and will be seen in the final mix.
Horizontal Layout
Available for recordings with: 2 participants
Description: Arranges the videos in a horizontal, side-by-side orientation and crops them (i.e. removes the left and right spacing) as needed for the selected aspect ratio.
Vertical Layout
Available for recordings with: 2 participants
Description: Arranges the videos in a vertical, stacked orientation and crops them (i.e. removes the left and right spacing) as needed for the selected aspect ratio.
Cover Art Layout
Available for recordings with: 1 to 6 participants
Description: Uses your show’s cover art as the video image instead of the participants’ videos.
Side Grid Layout
Available for recordings with: 3 to 6 participants
Description: Arranges videos asymmetrically so one participant’s video is larger and the rest of the participants’ videos are smaller and equally sized.
Side Grid 2 Focused Layout
Available for recordings with: 5 to 6 participants
Description: Arranges videos asymmetrically so two participants’ videos are larger and the rest of the participants’ videos are smaller and equally sized.
Symmetry Layout
Available for recordings with: 4 or 6 participants
Description: Arranges the videos symmetrically with all participants’ videos equally sized.
Upload Layout
Available for recordings with: 1 to 6 participants
Description: Uses an uploaded image, GIF, or video as the video image instead of the participants’ videos.
Note: When uploading a video, it will use the uploaded video's visuals but retain your Zencastr recording's audio for the final mix.
Changing the Video Layout
When customizing your video with Zencastr Editing, always select the aspect ratio first, before selecting the video layout, to define the canvas for your content. This ensures the chosen layout displays correctly with the video’s shape.
To change the video layout:
Click the Preview button on a Recording page or next to the recording name within a session to open Preview.
On the Preview page, click the Edit button in the top right corner to open the Editor.
In the Editor, on the Audio & Video tab, click Layouts.
Select your desired layout.
Click Back.
Result: The video preview will update to reflect your selected layout, showing how participants will appear in the final mix.
Related Questions
Where can I learn more about editing my recording/running my postproduction?
To use editing to run a postproduction for a recording done in the ‘Record Audio, No Video’ or ‘Record Audio, Show Video’ modes, see this guide. To run a postproduction for a recording done in the ‘Record Audio and Video’ mode, see this guide.
How long does it take for the postproduction to finish?
Postproductions normally finish in under an hour. The exact time can vary depending on the recording length and the number of participants selected.