Creating a quality video from your desktop PC can be done easily but takes preparation and preplanning. Always plan out what you are going to record and say before you make the actual recording. Sometimes if the recording is lengthy, a rehearsal will help smooth out some of the awkward moments. Below are some audio and video recording tips to help you with some of the subtleties of creating a quality video that will take your video from OK to great.

Audio Recording Tips

Do not rely on the microphone built into the PC for recording audio. Go out and purchase a quality microphone or mic/headphone set. There are significant differences in the quality of mic/headsets so take extra time to shop, expect to pay about US$50.

Ensure the recording volume level is not too high or too low. There is usually a way to test the volume level built in the recording program, be sure to use it.

On reviewing the audio recording, if you hear loud pops when you say "P" or "T", try repositioning the microphone slightly to avoid a direct angle to the mouth. For example, drop the mike down about 1 inch from your lower lip, or change the angle so it is not directly in front of your mouth.

If possible, make your recordings in a quiet room. Turn off fans and or other objects that can cause background noise. Closing the door is a good way to reduce or eliminate uncontrollable outside noises.

Something that is often overlooked is the ringing of phones. Make sure all phones in the room including cell phones are turned off.

Avoid drinking liquids or eating, including chewing gum, during recording. These activities result in very annoying sounds that have no place in a recording.

Plan what you are going to say ahead of time. Stumbling around with your words or restating your topic multiple times will annoy the listener.

Video Recording Tips

Try to limit video training modules to 5 - 8 minutes in length. It is difficult for adult learners to maintain focus for longer periods.

If a topic needs more than 8 minutes, break the material up into several smaller sections to maintain a 5 - 8 minute criteria.

Organize your material in outline format. This makes it easier for the audience to follow and provide excellent cue’s for the conversation.

Slow your speech down. Normal conversational speech is a bit too fast when providing new material in a learning environment. Slowing down will allow better comprehension by the viewer. NOTE: Keep in mind this is likely the first time your viewers are seeing this material so they will need extra time to absorb the visual and audible conversation being presented.

Move the mouse and cursor at a slow and deliberate pace, avoid quick jumps. When fast cursor movement is reproduced in the video, the action becomes an annoying blur. Rely on post-production editing and highlighting to draw the viewers’ attention, as appropriate. Avoid circling the cursor around the field you are pointing out. At 10 frames per second, this frantic movement is useless.

Deliberately place the cursor near fields or screen elements you want to refer to. The arrow cursor should be pointed at the element and can rest there as you describe it. This will aid the audience in locating the visual material.

If you make an error in a spoken phrase, simply stop and pause for a couple of seconds, then say the whole phrase over again. When editing, you can see these pauses on the timeline and cut the pause and error from the video production.

When you make an error, maintain the cursor at the current location where you made the error. This will eliminate a distracting jump when the gaps are edited out.

If you properly prepare the material for the desktop recording session and follow the tips above you can make a quality video that will enlighten and entertain your audience, good luck and enjoy.