ISO recording gives you much more freedom in post-production!
You can play around with different camera angles and transitions to create a smoother and more interesting final video. You may think an ISO recording setup is complex, but it doesn’t have to be.
We’ll show you how ISO recording works and how you can use it to improve the production quality of your podcast and pull viewers in.
What Is ISO Video Recording?
An ISO recording is a clean, isolated recording from a single camera used in a multi-camera production. Using a switcher with multiple inputs and ISO recording software, you can add production value to your podcast video and increase the editing power once you've finished recording.
There are many reasons someone might use ISO recording:
- ISO recording gives you the power to customize your program in post-production.
- It can give you additional content that you can use and repackage.
- Switch cameras during live video recording, in case a camera fails and you need backup.
- ISO recording opens new doors when it comes to making edits.
- Many podcasters use ISO recording and multiple cameras on platforms like Twitch, Facebook Live, and YouTube Live in order to make their programs more dynamic and engaging for viewers.
With live video production, you record your main program output to use for distribution. Most recording software will let you create ISO recordings of both your audio and your video, so you can make edits to both independently in post-production.
ISO Settings And File Size
Understand the limitations of your system and your software before you start using ISO recording. Although most recording software has a minimum bitrate of 25 Mbps, you won't get great quality using this setting. Recording speed impacts both your video quality and the file size of your video recording. The higher bitrate you choose, the better quality you’ll get (but you'll also get larger file sizes.)
ISO Recordings Vs. Regular Video Recordings
A regular video recording using a single camera limits footage that you can capture and subsequently, the content that you can produce. With an ISO recording, you can record video and audio from multiple separate sources. Then, with software like Riverside, you can record individual ISO video tracks for each participant and produce clean feeds ideal for editing.
Instead of using a regular recording and having one stationary shot, or setting up multiple times to get shots from multiple angles, ISO recording lets you record multiple angles from numerous video inputs simultaneously. This form of recording will give you a clean feed of all inputs, both audio and video—immensely useful and invaluable for editing.
Why Would You Want To Record An ISO?
With ISO recording software, you literally see your live recording in a new way. Take a look at some of the advantages of using ISO recording to discover how it can benefit your podcast.
Have Multiple Recordings to Navigate Around Technical Difficulties
As the saying goes, "even the best plans of mice and men often go awry". Anyone who has been in the streaming game long enough knows that no matter how much you plan and prepare, technical difficulties happen.
ISO recording has your back. Recording ISO files, you have multiple video feeds. If one of your cameras goes out, it's not as big of a deal. You can switch cameras and change shots and avoid downtime. Your viewers may not even notice the interruption.
Easily Fix Mistakes and Glitches in Post Production
With a live podcast, you're going to make mistakes. It's unavoidable. With ISO recordings, you can fix these mistakes during playback in post-production. If you mispronounce something while speaking or your guest says something they want to be cut, you can edit it out after you've recorded. Similarly, if you notice that one of your cameras was set up at an unflattering angle, you can simply use the recording from another camera.
What The Suitable Applications For ISO Recording Are
The sky's the limit when it comes to ISO recording applications. Check out some of the valuable applications for podcasting:
Get More From a Single Recording Session
Using ISO recording, you can repackage and reuse your content in many different ways. The same recording can have more life across many different projects - you can use different camera angles and transition points to create additional content like behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, or even completely different productions.
Podcasters use ISO recording for promoting their show, and more specifically, upcoming episodes. Instead of recording additional promotional material, you can use what you already have. With different camera angles and production effects, you can create promotional material that won't leave your viewers feeling like they're watching the same thing over again between your ad and program.
Recording Professional Interviews With Guests
The next time you watch a podcast interview, notice the camera switches, cuts, and transitions to see how much they impact quality. ISO recording is a total game-changer when it comes to recording interviews. ISO recording gives you separate audio and video recording of your guest, so you get that clean recording that you can edit in post-production. You can view yourself and your guests from multiple angles. Then switch between cameras to capture key moments.
Add Post Production Effects to Increase Production Value
ISO recording gives you more control over your recordings in post-production. You can add things like graphics and special effects. While you don't want to overdo it to the point of distracting your viewers, placing the right amount of effects can easily amp up your show. Your production will look more professional and engaging if you can find the right recipe for post-production effects.
How To Set An ISO Recording Up
Setting up an ISO recording will be different for everyone based on factors like the number of cameras and the ISO recording software. However, there are a couple of things that you should do regardless of the details of your setup:
1. Check Your Speed
Before you do anything, check to make sure your internet connection has sufficient upload rate capabilities to support ISO recording. YouTube recommends a rate of 3Mbps to 6Mbps while Vimeo recommends 4Mbps. At the bare minimum, you'll want to have a rate of 4Mbps for decent quality.
2. Position Your Cameras
You’ll want to find the best angles for capturing your podcast and making you and your guests look great. You should have a clear understanding of what you plan for your viewers to see from each camera before you hit the record button. Map out your recording space and set your cameras up in a couple of different configurations. This way, you can experiment with how your video looks as you record.
3. Choose Your Recording Location
No matter the ISO recording software, you'll have to choose where on your system you'd like for the files to be stored. Most software will default to the "Videos" folder in Windows and the "Movies" folder in Mac. Make sure you know where you're saving your recording so that you can easily keep track of your files for editing, post-production, uploading, and archiving.
4. Select Your Inputs
Prior to recording, you should select how many inputs you're using in your multi-camera set-up. The number of video inputs you can use will depend on the ISO recording software you choose to go with (see our suggestions below for a couple of great recording software options).
5. Decide on a Clean or Dirty Recording
A “clean” recording doesn’t include any kind of graphic overlays, while a “dirty” recording does. It’s up to you which works best when you’re setting up your ISO recording - clean recordings give you much more flexibility in post-production because you’re only dealing with the raw audio and video, but dirty recordings let you add more effects to your live recording.
ISO Recording Software
The ISO recording software that you use will determine a lot when it comes to setting up and post-production capabilities. The best software will enable color correction, audio remixing, and cuts, and fades. There are a number of streaming software programs that have ISO recording capabilities for users of all levels, from beginner to more advanced:
Riverside: When you want an easy-to-use ISO recording software, go with this one. Riverside records in studio quality with up to 4K video and 48kHz audio resolution. You can record individual ISO video tracks for each participant, in a single camera per participant setup. Plus, you can handle it all from your browser, so you don’t have to ask guests to download software. Riverside offers many more features, including local recording, automatic transcriptions and a text-based editor. You can find out more about us here, or you can sign up to start recording video in top-quality.
Vimeo: Setting up ISO recording in Vimeo through its Livestream Studio is pretty simple and all of the recordings that you do will be hi-resolution recording. You're given the option to record with or without graphic overlays and you have the ability to select your bitrate, from 25Mbps to 120Mbps. Vimeo allows you to use up to four high-quality video camera inputs for ISO recording.
Wirecast: Wirecast is highly versatile as it has live-switching features, great production abilities, and secure encoding features. You can easily preview and monitor your recordings using the software's multiviewer and integrate graphics using its production capabilities. You can use Wirecast with Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Twitter/Periscope.
vMix: vMix is for the more advanced user who has a little bit of practice with ISO recording. Through its MultiCorder feature, vMix lets you record any number of camera inputs you'd like to use. This ISO recording software has advanced features that allow you to merge video inputs and transition options that include cuts and fades. vMix requires that you have a powerful system setup as its advanced features can be demanding for your PC.
How ISO Recording Files Are Stored
Generally, ISO recordings are stored in two ways once they’re completed: on your computer’s hard drive or on an additional piece of hardware like a camera memory card.
The best option is to go with storing the files on your computer, as your system will always have more storage space (and it's much harder to lose a computer than it is to lose a camera card). However, camera memory cards are a great portable solution for temporarily storing ISO recordings.
Bonus: FAQs
What is ISO recording in Wirecast?
Wirecast Pro gives you clean recordings of cameras, mics, and captures cards, separate from the main program output. You have the recordings from every camera in your multi-camera set up for post-production work. Used with applications like Riverside, you can record individual ISO video tracks for each participant, in a single camera per participant setup.
In addition to recording individual sources from multiple video inputs, Wirecast also records individual shots. Wirecast allows you to mix different input sources like audio from an external mixer and video from a camera in a single ISO recording.
How do I record a live stream video?
You have many options when trying to record a live stream video, so how you do it will depend on your setup and what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’re just looking to record a live stream and you don't plan on doing a lot of editing, you can use live streaming video capture software, built-in screen capture tools, or a streaming service with recording capabilities. This is only good if you use a single camera.
For a multi-camera setup, ISO recording software is your best bet for recording live stream video. This will give you the ability to record your live stream from multiple angles and improve your editing options in post-production.
