July 12, 2023
How To Convert A Screen Recording To MP4
Dominic Kent
How To Convert A Screen Recording To MP4
Screen recordings are useless if you can’t upload them to where you need them to be seen.
If you’re using a screen recorder that records to a format other than MP4, it’s time-consuming (and annoying) when you have to find a converter, upload your video, and wait for the online tool to do its magic.
In this article, learn how to convert a screen recording to MP4—or skip past that section and find out how to create screen recordings that are MP4 by default 👇.
Why MP4 in the first place?
Remember MP3 players? MP3 quickly became the de-facto standard for music uploads and most audio files you come across online.
MP4 is the video version of MP3. Recognised as the most suitable video file type for broadcasting, streaming, and editing, its quality, native support, and integration, make it the most common file type supported by video players.
Trying to upload in any other format really is a pain.
While every platform you wish to upload on has its own requirements for file size, using the MP4 format sets you up for the fastest route to upload.
MP4 is used on the following platforms:
YouTube
Vimeo
Dailymotion
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
MP4 is supported on the following devices:
Smart TVs (Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and TCL confirmed)
Apple TV
Apple phones and tablets
Android phones and tablets
Xbox 360 and One
Playstation 4 and 5
Windows PCs and laptops (Windows 7 onwards)
That said, there are still some video and screen recorders that create your recording in the MOV format. Proprietary to Apple devices, MOV is also supported by some online video platforms—but not all.
And, if you plan on sending your screen recording to someone without an Apple device, you or they will need to convert it to MP4 before watching it.
How do I convert a screen recording to MP4?
If you’ve done this before, you’re probably familiar with this sight:
If you never want to do this again, scroll down to the final section where we introduce a screen recorder that automatically records in MP4.
To convert an existing screen recording to MP4, use the following instructions. This method works for both Windows and Mac.
Open your web browser and go to MOVAVI and click on the Add Your Media button on the right-hand side.
Select the screen recording you need to convert to MP4.
Your video file will appear on the Added files screen. Note, you can only convert one file at a time.
By default, MP4 will be selected as the conversion type. It won’t hurt to check you haven’t accidentally clicked on something else here.
Now, click convert!
When ready, the Convert button will change to Download.
Click download and find your MP4 screen recording in your Downloads folder/tray.
You can now upload your screen recording to your favourite platform or send it to a friend/colleague to watch.
Also note the option to download the desktop app.
This will save you scrambling around for the reliable MP4 converter you previously used. You can also use the desktop app for editing functions like trimming, compressing, and adding visual effects.
You can download this free for 7 days on both Windows and Mac. After your 7-day trial, there’s a one-off cost of £51.95 for lifetime access (or £9.95 per month).
Secret tip: if you go to uninstall the desktop app, you’ll unlock 20% off the lifetime license 😉
You may also like: What Screen Recorders Do YouTubers Use? and How to Record a YouTube Video 101?
How do I convert videos to MP4 for free?
If you want to convert videos to MP4 for free, either use MOVAVI in a browser or the 7-day free trial of the desktop app.
You could also remove the video conversion step completely by recording in MP4 in the first place.
Next time you have a video to record, head to tella.tv and record your video here.
There’s no download; you just record your video (in MP4) direct from your browser.
As well as recording your screen, Tella enables video and audio recording alongside your screen captures.
Once you’ve signed up, take a look around the “Get Started” page or head straight to “New Video” in the top right-hand corner.
When you select “New Video”, you move to the recording screen.
Select whether you want to share a screen, a window, slides, and choose your camera and mic ready for recording.
Hit the big red record button in the centre of the bottom menu and begin recording your video!
You may also like: How To Record Your Screen And Webcam Simultaneously
How do I turn my screen recording into a video?
When you create a screen recording using Tella, it opens the door to a wealth of video editing opportunities.
Tella is an asynchronous video recorder that allows you to not only create a screen recording but record a professional video ready to upload to YouTube or send to a client.
Unlike other asynchronous video apps, Tella has a full editing suite that needs no training or editing experience.
When you finish recording your video, you move to the edit screen. On the right-hand side, you’ll see all your editing options.
Without any video editing skills, you can make the following changes:
Add a background (see the blue background on the below screenshot)
Change orientation (landscape, portrait, square)
Trim your video of unnecessary content
Re-record parts of your video
Mirror your camera
Add a border
See the blue background on my video? That could be a preset background or your own custom one.
Notice my head is in the bottom right-hand corner. By choosing a different layout, I can move my head to anywhere else in the video with one click.
I also changed from a circle to a square because I thought it looked neater.
None of these editing options need any coding experience or third-party apps. Just a few clicks of your mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen.
How do I record an MP4 on my laptop?
Instead of creating screen recordings that need to be converted, why not create them as MP4s to begin with?
Rather than searching for a free video converter every time you’ve got a screen recording you need to share or upload, finish recording your video and upload/send it straight away.
When you record videos in Tella, they save as an MP4 file when you download them.
Or you don’t even need to download them. If you’re recording a video to send to a colleague or client, just send them the link.
If you’re sending to a group of people, the same link is accessible by everyone.
You can even share your video link in Slack and have it play within Slack. No more app switching.
Recording videos can be a simple process.
Don’t complicate things by using a screen recorder that doesn’t support MP4.
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Ready to screen record?
If you haven't already made a screen recording, try Tella. You can record your screen, camera, or both at the same time. You can export the recording as an mp4 file, or share the video as a web link.
Tella is completely free to start with — no credit card required.
