Screen recording workflow
Compress a screen recording on Mac
Cut the unused seconds, reduce the dimensions, and choose H.264 or AV1 based on where the recording needs to play. Neocodec handles the job locally.
The short answer
Remove pixels and seconds you do not need
There is no fixed compression percentage for every recording. A quiet slide deck, a fast interface demo, and a webcam presentation encode differently. Start with the changes you can control.
Trim
Remove setup and waiting time
Scale
Choose 360p, 480p, 720p, or 1080p
Compatible
H.264 MP4
Compact option
AV1 MP4
Recommended start
Try half-size H.264 first
Select H.264 Half Size
This built-in preset reduces the source dimensions while keeping H.264 MP4 output.
Trim the recording
Set the start and end points so the final file contains only the useful part.
Compare the result
After conversion, Neocodec shows source and output sizes. Play the result before sharing it.
Choose the output
Compatibility and size pull in different directions
H.264 MP4 is the practical default when the recording must open in many apps and services. The hardware H.264 preset prioritizes encoding speed.
AV1 MP4 is the built-in option named Smallest. Test the target player or upload service before you make it your delivery file.
WebM VP9 with Opus is useful when a website or browser workflow specifically calls for WebM.
Tune the result
Save the settings you use every week
Open Settings ▸ Presets to adjust quality, scale, and an optional frame-rate cap for H.264, AV1, or VP9. H.264 software presets also let you choose encoder speed.
When you edit a built-in preset, the saved version is used by its app chip, Finder Quick Action, and command-line preset. Neocodec labels it (edited) and keeps Revert to Default close by.
Keep expectations honest
Compression is content-dependent
A preset name does not guarantee a particular final size. Text sharpness, cursor motion, frame rate, source dimensions, and clip length all matter. Keep the original recording until you have checked the converted copy.
Current codec limit: Neocodec 1.0.4 does not accept H.265 or HEVC input. Export an H.264 copy first if your recording uses that codec.
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