Record a session that analyzes well
How to record a good session
- Pick one task and record 2 to 5 minutes of one person doing it. Record the full screen so switches between apps remain visible. Start just before the task and stop right after it: time on task is the length of the recording, so a detour such as checking email counts unless you cut it in the editor. Recorded several tasks? Split the recording into parts.
- Think aloud: say what you are doing and what you expect to happen. Lighter Journeys reads the narration; a silent recording gets no transcript or narration sentiment.
- Use test data. Close email, chat and anything else showing other people's information, and never show real passwords or payment, health or ID details.
- Get consent from anyone who can be seen or heard. Our participant notice template can help.
Recording tools that work
- Windows: Snipping Tool (Record; select an area covering the full screen, with the microphone on).
- macOS: the Screenshot toolbar (Shift+Command+5), Record Entire Screen, with a microphone chosen under Options. So far we have measured accuracy on Windows recordings only.
- Anywhere: OBS Studio, or a full-screen Loom recording you download.
For accurate clicks, add Camtasia's click rings before you export. Click highlights from other recorders have not been checked yet, and the macOS Show Mouse Clicks circle is not read. How to turn them on
- Formats: MP4, MOV, WebM or M4V. Your plan's length limit is shown when you upload.
- Language: narrate in English. Other languages are not transcribed correctly yet.
- After you upload: a quick check tells you whether the session can be analyzed, before you use an analysis. It takes about a minute once it starts. On the Free plan, it may wait in a queue first.