Brightspace Video Note Technical Specifications

Max Resolution Captured:

320 x 240 pixels

This results in a max resolution of 240p regardless of the capture device capabilities.

Key points about the 320 x 240 resolution:

  • Legacy of VGA monitors:

    Early computer monitors, particularly VGA, had limitations on the resolutions they could display, and 320 x 240 was one of the most readily available options. 

  • 4:3 aspect ratio:

    The 4:3 aspect ratio is considered visually pleasing for many applications and is a common standard for older displays. 

  • File size efficiency:

    Compared to higher resolutions, 320 x 240 creates smaller file sizes, which can be beneficial for situations where bandwidth or storage is limited. 

Conversion codec:

H.264 (AVC)

Key points about the H.264 (AVC) codec:

  • Excellent compression:

    It can compress video significantly without noticeable quality loss, making it suitable for online streaming services.. 

  • Wide device compatibility:

    Most devices, from smartphones to smart TVs, have native support for H.264, ensuring smooth playback across different platforms. 

  • Flexibility in bitrates:

    H.264 can be adjusted to different bitrates depending on the network conditions, making it suitable for both high-quality and low-bandwidth streaming. 

  • Industry standard:

    Due to its widespread adoption, H.264 is considered the de-facto standard for video compression. 

Bitrate:

The bitrate is set to 640 kbps

This compresses the source file and exports the file within an MP4 container.

Key points about using the 640kbps bitrate:

  • Good for surround sound:

    When encoding multi-channel audio, a 640kbps bitrate allows for a noticeable improvement in sound quality compared to lower bitrates, especially for complex audio elements. 

  • Perceptible quality with minimal size increase:

    While not considered "lossless" audio, at 640kbps, most listeners would find the audio quality very close to the original source with a reasonable file size. 

  • Streaming compatibility:

    Many streaming platforms support 640kbps bitrates for high-quality audio options, making it a practical choice for distributing content. 

  • Optimal for Video Capture Dimensions:​​​​​​​ 

    The capture parameters setting the frame dimensions influence the selected bitrate. Because of the specific codec, and content type the recommended bit rate to reduce overhead and output an acceptable quality dictates the configuration.  

File Size:

The compression reduces a 30-minute recording into approximately a 150 MB file.

High compression saves space on the server and also provides the opportunity for more expedited playback through a faster conversion process.