Recording layouts

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There are several recording layouts for local and cloud recordings depending on the video layout of your meeting.

Some recording layouts are available with local recordings, some with cloud recordings, and some that are available for both, but which video layout is captured depends on the type of recording.

In the case of local recordings, recordings capture the meeting as the participant recording sees the meeting. For example, if the host grants permission to a participant to record, and the participants starts a local recording while in active speaker view, the recording layout will be in active speaker view.

Cloud recordings can capture multiple views, such as Speaker, Gallery, and Shared content, based on the original host's cloud recording settings. These layouts are captured regardless of what views are used by the host, in contrast to local recordings. 

This article covers:

Local or cloud recording layouts (desktop client)

These recording layouts can be accomplished with local or cloud recordings:

Active speaker

If you are in active speaker view, the recording will only display the video of the active speaker.

Note: You can only display participants' names in cloud recordings.

Gallery view

If you are in gallery view, the recording will be similar to the meeting client and display a grid layout of participants' video. The gallery view recording can display a maximum of 25 participants.

Note: You can only display participants' names in cloud recordings.

Shared window

If you shared a window that doesn't take up the entire screen, you will see black bars to the right and left of the window in the recording. Participants' video will still appear in the top-right corner if you enable the active speaker thumbnail or gallery view while sharing the window.

Tip: This recording layout can be useful if you're sharing a window and don't want the active speaker window to overlay on top.

Local recording layouts (desktop client)

This recording layout is only supported by local recordings:

Shared screen with thumbnail gallery view

If a participant shares their screen, participants' video will appear in the top-right corner. If you drag or minimize the thumbnails, it will still appear in the top-right corner in the recording.

Shared screen with large active speaker thumbnail

If you share your screen with the active speaker thumbnail and enlarge it, the local recording will also display a larger active speaker thumbnail in the top-right corner. If you drag the active speaker thumbnail to another location during the meeting, the recording will still display it in the top-right corner.

Notes:

  • Cloud recordings in this layout will only display the standard active speaker thumbnail size.
  • This recording layout is not possible when dual monitor mode is enabled, and the local recording will capture the standard active speaker thumbnail size.

Cloud recording layouts (desktop client)

These recording layouts are only supported by cloud recordings:

Shared screen with active speaker

If you share your screen with the active speaker thumbnail, the recording will display the active speaker thumbnail in the top-right corner. If you drag the active speaker thumbnail to another location during the meeting, the recording will still display it in the top-right corner.

Shared screen without active speaker or gallery view

If you share your screen without the active speaker thumbnail or disabled the Record thumbnails while sharing option in your cloud recording settings, the recording will only display the shared screen.

Note: If you enabled the option to Record active speaker, gallery view and shared screen separately, you will see the active speaker video beside the recorded shared screen when viewing the recording in the Zoom web portal.

Cloud recording layouts (mobile app)

If you start a cloud recording on the Zoom mobile app, only the following recording layouts are supported.

Note: The Zoom mobile app only supports cloud recording.

Active speaker

If you are in active speaker view, the recording will only display the video of the active speaker.

Note:

  • The gallery view recording layout is not supported on the mobile app. If you are in gallery view during the meeting, the recording will still display the video of the active speaker.
  • If the active speaker is using a mobile device, you might see black bars to the right and left of the video depending on the supported aspect ratio of the camera and whether the device is in portrait or landscape mode.

Shared screen with active speaker

If you share your screen with the active speaker thumbnail, the recording will display the active speaker thumbnail in the top-right corner. Annotations are also recorded.

Shared screen without active speaker

If you share your screen and disabled the Record thumbnails while sharing option in your cloud recording settings, the recording will only display the shared screen.

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