Zencastr is a modern web-based solution for high-quality audio and video podcast creation. When you record on Zencastr you get separate tracks (i.e. separate audio and video files) for each participant that are ideal for your post-production process.
đ Recording in the âRecord Audio and Videoâ recording mode is described below. The overall process for the other two modes is the same, but only audio files are recorded in both the âRecord Audio Only, Show Videoâ and âRecord Audio Onlyâ modes and no video feed is shown in the âRecord Audio Onlyâ mode.
In this article:
Benefits of Recording in Zencastr
How Participants Are Connected in Zencastr
How Participants Are Recorded in Zencastr
How Files Upload/Complete After Recording in Zencastr
Downloading Files After Recording in Zencastr
Benefits of Recording in Zencastr
High-Quality Audio and Video
Local recording by your computer means if you or your guests experience issues with your internet connections (drops, disconnections) the quality of the recorded audio and video will not be impacted by those issues.
Both plans currently record high-quality audio. The free Hobbyist plan records MP3 files and the Professional plan records both MP3 files and 16-bit 48k WAV files.
Both plans currently record high-definition video, up to 1080p. Video recording is in extended trial on the Hobbyist plan.
Local Backups
Local recording also means each participantâs audio and video is backed up in their local browser storage. So if a participant experiences an issue with their internet connection while recording, such as a disconnection, what was recorded is safe.
Separate Tracks
Separate tracks, i.e. separate audio and video files, for each participant help save your time and effort in your editing process. For example, letâs say you are recording with two guests and one guestâs phone starts ringing loudly in the background while the other guest is speaking, creating a noisy distraction. With a single, combined file you couldnât easily silence the ringing phone without also silencing the speaking guest. But with separate files, using an editing software, you can easily silence the phone ringing in the one guestâs track without silencing the speaking guestâs track.
How Participants Are Connected By Zencastr
When you and your guests meet on a Zencastr Recording Page, you are connected to one another via an encrypted VoIP call. The VoIP call allows everyone to hear and see each other.
How Participants Are Recorded In Zencastr
The VoIP call is what allows participants to hear and see each other but it is not what is recorded by Zencastr. Instead, when the host starts the recording each participantâs audio and video feed is recorded locally by their computer and stored in their local browser storage.
While the recording is in progress, in the background Zencastr progressively uploads each participantâs audio and video files from their local browser storage to our servers. The upload is done progressively, i.e. in pieces, so that it doesnât disrupt the VoIP call and also so that participants have a shorter wait time after the recording is finished.
How Files Upload/Complete After Recording on Zencastr
When the host stops the recording, each participantâs files finish uploading to our servers. Each participant should keep the Recording Page open until they each individually see a confirmation popup that their files have finished uploading.
The host sees this confirmation pop-up when their files have finished uploading:
Guests each see this confirmation pop-up when their files have finished uploading:
The hostâs Recording Page will show that a guestâs files have finished uploading when on the guestâs track all files turn solid blue with download arrows.
Downloading Files After Recording on Zencastr
When participantsâ files finish uploading, they are available for the host to download from the Recording Page and/or run through Zencastrâs Automatic Postproduction.
Related Questions
How long does it take for a participantâs files to finish uploading?
On average, it takes just a few seconds to a few minutes after the recording is stopped for a participantâs files to finish uploading provided the participantâs computer and internet speed meet the system requirements.
My/my guestâs file wonât finish uploading. What do I do?
See these instructions for âError: Unfinalized trackâ or these instructions for file stuck at '100% uploaded'.