# Select a video device

## Aim

To select the cameras for recording.

## Prerequisites

- Your devices are connected to the computer with MediaRecorder, and, if applicable, switched on.
- MediaRecorder is open.
- You opened the **Video Settings** window. To do so, choose **File > Video Settings**, or click **Video Settings** in the main window.

[![image.png](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/scaled-1680-/x2RT1DotWuGFBokx-image.png)](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/x2RT1DotWuGFBokx-image.png)

**<span class="FM_All_caps">tip</span>** If the **Video Settings** button is not visible, the recording properties may be closed. Click **Recording Properties** at the bottom of your window. By default the recording properties are open.

[![image.png](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/scaled-1680-/Iwunm6oipT5b7Arj-image.png)](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/Iwunm6oipT5b7Arj-image.png)

## Procedure

In the **Video Settings** window:

1. Select your camera from the **Video device** list.  
    [![image.png](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/scaled-1680-/U62KU3wyH2OzsJbV-image.png)](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/U62KU3wyH2OzsJbV-image.png)  
    **<span class="FM_All_caps">IMPORTANT</span>**  
    <span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have IP cameras see </span>[Set up IP cameras](https://bookstack.noldus.com/link/476#bkmrk-page-title)<span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;"> how to set these up and select them in MediaRecorder.  
    </span>If you<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> use the</span> Screen Capture <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">tool,</span> see[ Use of the Screen Capture tool](https://bookstack.noldus.com/link/419#bkmrk-page-title) <span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">on </span></span>how to select the built-in screen capture device.
2. Select the preferred frame rate and resolution. The options depend on your type of camera.[![image.png](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/scaled-1680-/4pWp8alq97i6uJtX-image.png)](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/4pWp8alq97i6uJtX-image.png)
3. For advanced camera settings, click the video symbol next to the name of your camera. The available options depend on your camera. For some cameras you can zoom and adjust settings for brightness and contrast. [![image.png](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/scaled-1680-/XToTfiHpljrUkfq6-image.png)](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/XToTfiHpljrUkfq6-image.png)
4. Optionally change the names in the **Video name** column, to, for example, Webcam, or IP camera.
5. To record audio as well, continue with [Select an audio device](https://bookstack.noldus.com/link/422#bkmrk-page-title)
6. Optionally adjust [Video file options](https://bookstack.noldus.com/link/423#bkmrk-page-title)
7. When satisfied with the settings click **OK** to return to the main window and record your videos (see [Record your videos](https://bookstack.noldus.com/link/424#bkmrk-page-title))

## Note

### Frame rate and resolution

By default, the optimal combination of frame rate and resolution for the camera is selected. If you increase the frame rate, the maximum resolution available goes down and vice versa. If you select an impossible combination of frame rate and resolution and format, MediaRecorder gives a warning (see below).

[![image.png](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/scaled-1680-/j3JGyxgrenG2H5Iv-image.png)](https://bookstack.noldus.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/j3JGyxgrenG2H5Iv-image.png)