Recording vs. Live Video Calls: Why Settings Differ
Why exposure, bitrate, and compression behave differently in calls vs. local recording.
9/1/2025
7 min
QualityExplainer
Recording vs. Live Video Calls: Why Settings Differ
Bitrate & Compression
- Live calls adapt to bandwidth; quality rises/falls dynamically
- Local recording can use higher, stable bitrates for cleaner detail
Exposure & White Balance
- Call apps may adjust exposure/WB to keep faces visible
- Recording apps often respect your manual settings more strictly
Practical Setup
- For calls: prioritize stable lighting and bandwidth
- For recording: fix exposure + WB, use 1080p/30 or 4K/30 if your PC can handle it