Problem
Snagit is supposed to record at 60 or 30 frames per second (FPS). Why is my video showing less than 60 or 30 frames per second?
Solution
Snagit Only Captures the Necessary Frames
Snagit 2021 and later offers five different options for video recording quality. Each quality setting captures at a different frame rate. To change the quality setting, open the Snagit capture window and select File > Capture Preferences > Capture. Then, select the desired setting from the Video Quality dropdown.
| Quality Setting | Recording Resolution | Capture Frame Rate (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| Very Low | 4K/1080P | Snagit 2021 and later: 5 FPS |
| Low | 4K/1080P | Snagit 2021 and later: 10 FPS |
| Med | 4K/1080P | Snagit 2021 and later: 15 FPS |
| High | 1080P | Snagit 2021 and later: 30 FPS |
| High | 4K* |
Snagit 2021 - Snagit 2022.1.5: 20FPS Snagit 2023.0.0 and later: 30FPS |
| Very High | 4K*/1080P |
Snagit 2024.2.0 and later: 60 FPS |
Snagit is taking pictures (frames) of the screen with X (X being the frame rate chosen) many times per second. However, if there is no change on the screen from one frame to the next, then that duplicate frame is not recorded at all (with exceptions for when audio is being recorded). For example, if an application window is recorded but the window does not change at all, then there is no need to record additional frames for the same content.
Snagit Records at a Variable Capture Frame Rate
Snagit uses variable frame rates to capture. This means the frame rate may change as you record to optimize performance. As a result, even if the Very High quality setting is chosen for a 1080px recording, the final video may not show as a constant 60 FPS video. Instead it may vary throughout the video, up to 60 FPS. It all depends if the content on the screen is moving or refreshing at the desired frame rate you have chosen (60,30, etc.)
Why Not Just Capture Everything?
By utilizing this smart method of screen recording, Snagit is able to record high quality videos while maintaining very efficient video files. This allows for faster saving and faster sharing of content.
*4K and 60FPS: If the content on your screen is refreshing at 60FPS and you also want to capture at 4K resolution, you will need a discrete GPU. Integrated graphics are unable to capture true 4K 60FPS content.
