Video Mode and Basic Video Settings

Pressing the red record button is easy. Getting clean, steady, well-exposed video takes a few settings that work differently from photography. In video the camera records continuously, so settings that change by themselves in the middle of a clip, such as automatic white balance or exposure, can spoil the shot. This lesson walks you through the basic video settings found on almost every camera and phone, explains what each one does, and gives a simple starting setup you can use today.

What is video mode?

Video mode is the part of your camera that records moving images instead of single photos. On many cameras you switch to it with a dial, a switch or a menu, and some cameras keep separate settings for photo and video so you can change between them quickly. On phones, you simply swipe to the video option. Video mode has its own menu for resolution, frame rate, sound and file format.

Why video is different from photography was explained in photography and videography.

The basic video settings

Resolution and frame rate

• 1080p (Full HD): 1920 × 1080 pixels. Smaller files, easy to edit, fine for most phones and social media.
• 4K (Ultra HD): 3840 × 2160 pixels. More detail and room to crop in editing, but larger files and more work for your computer.
• Frame rate: 24 fps gives the classic film look; 25 or 30 fps is common for online video and television; 50 or 60 fps makes fast action look smoother and can be slowed down later.

Remember:Some regions traditionally use 25 and 50 fps and others 30 and 60 fps, linked to the local electricity frequency. Lights can flicker on video if your frame rate does not suit the local power supply. If you see flicker, try the other family of frame rates.

Resolution and file quality are explained further in video resolution, bitrate and codecs.

Exposure in video

Video uses the same exposure controls as photography, explained in understanding exposure and the three exposure controls. The big difference is shutter speed. In video, the shutter speed is usually kept near double the frame rate, because this gives each frame a natural amount of motion blur. This is called the 180-degree rule, explained in exposure for video.

Because the shutter speed is fixed, you control brightness with the aperture, the ISO, or a neutral-density (ND) filter, which works like sunglasses for your lens. ND filters are explained in neutral density filters.

Tip:Automatic exposure can change brightness in the middle of a shot, for example when a person in a white shirt walks past. For steady results, use manual exposure, or lock the exposure once it looks right.

White balance, focus and sound

• White balance: set a preset such as Daylight, or measure it with a gray card, so colors do not shift during a clip, as in white balance settings.
• Focus: modern face and eye autofocus works well for video; for careful shots, use manual focus. Focus for video is explained in focus for video.
• Sound: the built-in microphone is fine for practice, but it records camera noise and sounds far away. Set the audio level so voices are clear but never too loud. Sound is explained in why sound matters in video.

Memory cards and recording limits

Video creates a large, constant stream of data, so the memory card must be fast enough to keep up. The SD Association's Video Speed Class tells you the minimum speed a card can write without slowing down:

Camera video quality is often written in megabits per second (Mbps), while cards are rated in megabytes per second (MB/s). One byte is 8 bits, so divide Mbps by 8. For example, video recorded at 200 Mbps needs about 25 MB per second, which a V30 card can handle.

Warning:Some cameras stop recording after a certain time or when they get too hot. Check your camera's limits before an important event, and carry spare batteries, because video uses power quickly.

A simple starting setup

1. Switch to video mode and choose 1080p or 4K.
2. Choose a frame rate: 24 or 25 fps for a film look, or 30 fps for general online video.
3. Set the shutter speed to about double the frame rate, such as 1/50 s at 24 or 25 fps, or 1/60 s at 30 fps.
4. Choose the aperture for the depth of field you want, then set ISO for correct brightness.
5. Set white balance to a fixed preset that matches the light.
6. Choose focus: face or eye tracking autofocus, or manual focus.
7. Check sound levels and turn on stabilization if you are handheld.
8. Record a short test clip and play it back before the real recording.

Common mistakes

• Very fast shutter speeds: make movement look jerky, like a flip book.
• Automatic white balance: colors change in the middle of a clip.
• Slow memory cards: recording stops or files are lost.
• Never checking sound: clips are unusable because the voice is too quiet or distorted.
• Mixing frame rates by accident: clips do not match when edited together.

How professionals set up for video

Professional videographers decide resolution and frame rate before a project starts and keep them the same for every camera, so all clips match in editing. They use manual or locked exposure, fixed white balance, fast and tested memory cards, spare batteries and separate microphones. They always record a test clip and check it before the important moment.

Practical examples

Key points

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Good video starts with the right settings: resolution, frame rate, shutter speed, fixed white balance, suitable focus, checked sound and a fast memory card. Next, you will put these settings to use with simple practice exercises.

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