Settings Reference
Comprehensive guide to all settings in PixelRecorder.
General Settings
Output Location
- Default: ~/Movies/PixelRecorder/
- Custom: Any folder you choose
- Click “Choose…” to select location
File Naming
- Pattern:
{date}_{time}_{stream}_{index} - Example:
2026-01-13_15-30-00_screen_001.mov
Start Behavior
- Launch at Login: Start with macOS
- Show in Menu Bar: Menu bar icon visibility
- Check for Updates: Automatic update checks
Video Settings
Resolution
- Native: Match source resolution
- Custom: Set specific resolution
- Options: 720p, 1080p, 1440p, 4K, Custom
Frame Rate
- Options: 24, 25, 30, 50, 60 fps
- Match your project requirements
- Higher = smoother, larger files
Codec
- H.264: Maximum compatibility
- HEVC: Smaller files, modern software
Quality
- High: Best quality, largest files
- Standard: Balanced
- Low: Smallest files
Audio Settings
Sample Rate
- 48kHz: Recommended for video
- 44.1kHz: CD quality
Bit Depth
- 24-bit: Professional standard
- 16-bit: CD quality
Channels
- Mono: Single channel
- Stereo: Two channels
Timecode Settings
Start Timecode
- Time of Day: Uses current time
- Custom: Set specific start time
- Format: HH:MM:SS:FF
Drop Frame
- Auto: Based on frame rate
- Force Non-Drop: Always non-drop
- Applies to 29.97/59.94 fps
Display Settings
Theme
- System: Follow macOS
- Light: Light theme
- Dark: Dark theme
Preview Quality
- Full: Native resolution
- Half: Reduced for performance
- Quarter: Maximum performance
Keyboard Shortcuts
Customize all shortcuts:
- Click shortcut field
- Press new key combination
- Click “Save”
- Click “Reset” for defaults
Advanced Settings
Hardware Acceleration
- Enable: Use Apple Silicon encoding
- Disable: Software encoding only
Buffer Size
- Default: Auto-adjusted
- Custom: Set manually for specific needs