Introduction

Are you tired of trying to explain a concept or process over a video call, only to have your audience misremember or misunderstand important details? One solution to this problem is screen recording, which allows you to capture a video of your screen and audio as you present. In this blog post, we will delve into the various screen recording options available in Google Meet and provide tips for creating high-quality recordings.

Google Meet's Built-In Screen Sharing and Recording Functionality

Google Meet has a built-in screen sharing and recording feature that allows you to share your screen with meeting participants and save a recording of the session to Google Drive. To use this feature, click on the "Share screen" icon in the bottom toolbar during a call and select the window or application you want to share. You can also choose to share your entire desktop or a specific tab in your browser.

Once you have started sharing your screen, a new toolbar will appear at the top of the screen with options to pause or stop sharing, as well as a "Record" button. Clicking this button will start recording the call, including any audio and any screens that are being shared. The recording will be saved to Google Drive in the "Meet Recordings" folder.

Using Third-Party Tools for Advanced Screen Recording

While the built-in screen sharing and recording feature in Google Meet is useful for basic needs, there may be situations where you need more advanced features such as the ability to edit the recording or add annotations. In these cases, you can use a third-party screen recording tool such as OBS Studio or Screencast-O-Matic.

OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording and live streaming software that allows you to record your screen, webcam, and audio. You can use OBS Studio to record Google Meet calls by adding the Chrome browser as a source and selecting the Google Meet tab as the capture window. OBS Studio also has a variety of customization options, including the ability to add overlays, effects, and annotations to your recordings.

Screencast-O-Matic is another popular screen recording tool that offers a free and paid version. The free version allows you to record your screen, webcam, and audio, while the paid version includes additional features such as the ability to edit and annotate recordings. To use Screencast-O-Matic to record a Google Meet call, simply launch the app and select the Chrome browser as the source. Then, select the Google Meet tab as the capture window and click the "Record" button.

Tips for Creating High-Quality Screen Recordings

Whether you are using the built-in screen sharing and recording feature in Google Meet or a third-party tool, there are a few key things you can do to ensure that your screen recordings are of the highest quality:

• Use a high-quality microphone: The audio quality of your screen recording will largely depend on the microphone you are using. Investing in a good quality microphone can make a big difference in the clarity of your audio.

• Choose the right resolution: The resolution of your screen recording can impact the quality and size of the final video. Choose a resolution that is appropriate for your needs, keeping in mind that higher resolutions will result in larger file sizes.

• Test your setup before recording: It's always a good idea to test your screen recording setup before you start the actual recording. This will allow you to ensure that everything is working correctly and make any necessary adjustments.

• Use good lighting: Poor lighting can make your screen recording difficult to see, so make sure you have good lighting in the room where you are.

Best Practices for Using Screen Recordings in Google Meet

Now that you know how to use screen recording in Google Meet, it's important to consider best practices for using these recordings. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Inform participants before recording: It's always a good idea to inform participants before you start recording a Google Meet call. This can be done by announcing it at the beginning of the call or by using the "Announcement" feature in the chat window.

• Obtain consent for recording: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be required to obtain consent from participants before recording a call. Make sure you are familiar with the laws and regulations in your area and obtain any necessary consent before recording.

• Protect sensitive information: If you are sharing sensitive information during a screen recording, make sure to redact or obscure any personal or confidential information.

• Use a clear and concise title: When saving your screen recording to Google Drive, make sure to use a clear and concise title that accurately describes the content of the recording. This will make it easier to find and organize your recordings in the future.

• Share recordings with relevant parties: If you are using screen recordings as a teaching or training tool, make sure to share the recording with the relevant parties. This could be done through a link in an email or by sharing the recording directly through Google Drive.

Common Issues with Screen Recording in Google Meet

Despite their usefulness, screen recordings can sometimes encounter issues. Here are a few common problems you may encounter when using screen recording in Google Meet and how to troubleshoot them:

• Recording not starting: If the "Record" button is not working when you try to start a recording, make sure that you have granted Google Meet permission to access your microphone and camera. You can check and adjust these permissions in your browser settings.

• Audio not recording: If the audio is not being recorded during your screen recording, make sure that your microphone is turned on and properly configured. You can also try restarting your browser or computer to see if that resolves the issue.

• Poor quality recording: If the quality of your screen recording is poor, there could be a number of issues at play. Make sure that you have a strong internet connection and that you are using a high-quality microphone. You may also want to try reducing the resolution of your recording or using a different screen recording tool.

Setting up screen recording in Google Meet

To use screen recording in Google Meet, you'll need to make sure you have the right equipment and settings. Here's what you'll need:

1. A computer with a microphone and webcam (most laptops have these built-in)

2. The latest version of Google Chrome

3. The Google Meet screen sharing extension, which you can download for free from the Chrome Web Store

Once you have all of these things, you're ready to start screen recording in Google Meet. Just follow these steps:

1. Open Google Meet and join a video call.

2. Click the "Share screen" button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

3. In the pop-up window that appears, select the "Advanced" tab.

4. Click the "Install" button next to the Google Meet screen sharing extension.

5. Follow the prompts to install the extension.

Starting a screen recording in Google Meet

Now that you have everything set up, it's time to start your screen recording. Here's how to do it:

1. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click the "Share screen" button.

2. In the pop-up window that appears, select the "Advanced" tab.

3. Click the "Start recording" button.

4. A notification will appear asking if you want to record audio and microphone. Click "Allow" to include these in your recording.

Pausing and stopping a screen recording in Google Meet

While you're screen recording in Google Meet, you may need to pause the recording for a moment or stop it altogether. Here's how to do it:

To pause the recording:

1. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click the "Share screen" button.

2. In the pop-up window that appears, select the "Advanced" tab.

3. Click the "Pause recording" button.

4. To stop the recording:

5. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click the "Share screen" button.

6. In the pop-up window that appears, select the "Advanced" tab.

7. Click the "Stop recording" button.

Sharing your screen recording with others

Once you've finished recording your screen, you'll probably want to share it with others. Here's how to do it:

1. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click the "Share screen" button.

2. In the pop-up window that appears, select the "Advanced" tab.

3. Click the "Stop recording" button.

4. In the notification that appears, click the "View" button to open the recorded video in a new tab.

5. From there, you can share the video with others using the sharing options in your browser (e.g., copy the link and send it via email or messenger).

Customizing your screen recording settings

Want to customize your screen recording settings in Google Meet? Here's how to do it:

1. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click the "Share screen" button.

2. In the pop-up window that appears, select the "Advanced" tab.

3. Click the "Settings" button.

4. In the "Screen recording settings" window that appears, you can customize the following options:

5. Choose whether to record audio and microphone.

6. Choose which screen or window to record.

7. Choose the recording quality (e.g., high, medium, low).

8. Choose whether to show or hide the recording controls.

9. Choose whether to show or hide the mouse cursor in the recording.

Troubleshooting common screen recording issues

If you're having trouble with screen recording in Google Meet, here are some common issues and solutions:

• "Screen sharing is currently disabled": This error message means that screen sharing is disabled in your Google account. To enable it, go to the "Security and Privacy" section of your Google Account settings and turn on the "Screen sharing" toggle.

• "Screen sharing is currently unavailable": This error message means that screen sharing is temporarily unavailable in Google Meet. This could be due to a problem with the service or a temporary issue with your internet connection. Try waiting a few minutes and then trying again.

• "The screen sharing extension is not installed": If you see this message when trying to start a screen recording, it means that you don't have the Google Meet screen sharing extension installed. To install it, follow the steps in the "Setting up screen recording in Google Meet" section above.

Advanced screen recording features

In addition to the basic screen recording features we've covered so far, Google Meet also offers a few advanced features that can be useful in certain situations. Here are a few examples:

• Record a specific window: Instead of recording your entire screen, you can choose to record a specific window (e.g., a specific application or browser tab). To do this, click the "Specific window" option in the "Share screen" pop-up window, and then select the window you want to record.

• Record audio and microphone separately: If you want to record your audio and microphone separately from your screen recording, you can do so by selecting the "Separate audio and microphone" option in the "Share screen" pop-up window. This can be useful if you want to edit the audio and video separately later.

• Record a specific region of the screen: If you only want to record a specific part of your screen (e.g., a specific application or window), you can do so by clicking the "Specific region" option in the "Share screen" pop-up window, and then dragging the selection box to cover the area you want to record.

Using screen recording in Google Meet with other applications

There are many other applications and tools that can be used in conjunction with screen recording in Google Meet, such as:

• Drawing and annotation tools: These tools allow you to draw or write on your screen while you're recording, which can be useful for explaining or demonstrating something. Some examples include Google Jamboard, Miro, and Mural.

• Video editing software: If you want to edit your screen recording after you've finished recording it, you can use a video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Best practices for using screen recording in Google Meet

Here are a few best practices to keep in mind when using screen recording in Google Meet:

• Test your equipment and settings beforehand: Before you start a screen recording, make sure that your equipment (e.g., microphone, webcam) is working properly and that you have the right settings (e.g., screen resolution, recording quality). This will help ensure that your recording is high quality and free of any technical issues.

• Keep your audience in mind: Think about who you're recording for and what they need to see. For example, if you're recording a training session for new employees, you might want to focus on the most important aspects of the training and avoid going into too much detail.

• Be aware of privacy: When screen recording, be mindful of any sensitive or personal information that might be displayed on your screen. If necessary, consider blurring or hiding this information before recording.

• Keep your recording organized: If you're recording a long or complex session, it can be helpful to break it up into smaller chunks and use section headings or markers to help keep your recording organized.

• Use good lighting and audio: Make sure that you have good lighting and that your audio is clear. This will help ensure that your recording is high quality and easy to understand.

Conclusion

Screen recording is a powerful tool that can help you effectively communicate and share information during a Google Meet call. Whether you are using the built-in screen sharing and recording feature in Google Meet or a third-party tool, it's important to follow best practices and troubleshoot common issues to ensure that your recordings are of the highest quality. With a little bit of planning and attention to detail, you can create professional and effective screen recordings that will help you get your message across.

How Hume Can Help

If you're looking for an easier way to manage and analyze your screen recordings, Hume may be the solution you've been looking for. Hume is an interview intelligence platform that helps hiring teams unlock their interview data and move faster while having access to more objective data.

One of the key features of Hume is the ability to automatically record, transcribe, and summarize your screen recordings. This means that you don't have to spend hours transcribing and organizing your recordings manually – Hume does it all for you.

In addition to automating the transcription and summary process, Hume also offers advanced analytics and insights into your screen recordings. You can use Hume's data and analytics to identify trends and patterns in your interviews, as well as to track the performance of individual interviewers.

Overall, Hume is a powerful tool that can help you get the most out of your screen recordings and use them to make better hiring decisions. Whether you're using screen recordings as a training tool or as part of your interview process, Hume can help you streamline your workflows and make more informed decisions.