Exporting Your Video
When your edit is ready, click Export in the toolbar or press ⌘+E.
Export Formats
| Format | Extension | Codec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP4 (H.264) | .mp4 | H.264 | Maximum compatibility, plays everywhere |
| QuickTime MOV (H.264) | .mov | H.264 | Apple ecosystem, same codec as MP4 |
| QuickTime MOV (HEVC) | .mov | H.265/HEVC | Smaller files, excellent quality. Requires macOS 13+ |
| QuickTime MOV (ProRes 4444 + Alpha) | .mov | ProRes 4444 | Lossless quality with transparent alpha channel. Required for Transparent background exports. Not available on all Macs — see note below. |
| Animated GIF | .gif | GIF | Animated GIF export. Not available when background is Transparent. |
| Final Cut Pro XML | .fcpxml | FCPXML 1.11 | Exports timeline structure, not rendered video. Preserves video, audio, speed changes, volume, and markers. Overlays and effects are not included. |
Final Cut Pro XML (FCPXML)
When you select Final Cut Pro XML in the format picker, the export dialog adjusts:
- The Resolution, Quality, and Framerate pickers are hidden — FCPXML exports the timeline structure, not a rendered video file, so these settings do not apply.
- An info notice reads: "Exports the timeline as FCPXML 1.11 with absolute media paths. Video, audio, speed changes, volume, and markers are preserved. Overlays and effects are not included."
- The Copy to Clipboard button is disabled for FCPXML exports.
- The watermark upgrade prompt is hidden.
The Export Summary panel shows:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | FCPXML 1.11 |
| Duration | Timeline duration |
| Media | Absolute file paths |
The exported .fcpxml file references your original media by absolute path on disk. Move or rename media files after exporting and Final Cut Pro will prompt you to relink them.
Format picker dropdown showing all available formats including Final Cut Pro XML, Animated GIF, and QuickTime MOV (ProRes 4444 + Alpha)
Transparent Background Exports
When your project uses a Transparent background, the export dialog locks the format picker:
- Only QuickTime MOV (ProRes 4444 + Alpha) is available for rendered video export. All other video formats — including MP4, QuickTime MOV (H.264), HEVC, and Animated GIF — are unavailable.
- Final Cut Pro XML remains available as a separate, non-rendered export path.
- The Copy to Clipboard button is disabled because the system clipboard does not support ProRes 4444 with alpha.
Notice states in the dialog:
- If ProRes 4444 encoding is available on your Mac, an info notice reads: "Transparent background exports require ProRes 4444."
- If ProRes 4444 encoding is not available, an orange warning reads: "Transparent background exports require ProRes 4444, but ProRes 4444 encoding is not available on this Mac." The Export button is disabled until you run the export on a supported Mac.
The Export Summary panel shows:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | QuickTime MOV |
| Codec | ProRes 4444 + Alpha |
Quick-export from the recording completion screen also routes Transparent-background projects to ProRes 4444. The format is selected automatically — no manual picker interaction required.
Export dialog with Transparent background active — format picker locked to ProRes 4444, info notice visible, Copy to Clipboard disabled
Export dialog warning state — orange warning banner when ProRes 4444 codec is unavailable on the current Mac, Export button disabled
Export Summary panel showing QuickTime MOV container and ProRes 4444 + Alpha codec for a transparent-background export
Export Size Estimate
Before you export, the dialog shows an estimated file size so you can check whether the output will fit your storage or upload limits. The estimate updates as you change format, resolution, and quality settings.
HEVC Quality Tiers
When exporting as HEVC, you can choose from adjustable quality tiers for finer control over file size versus visual fidelity. Lower tiers produce smaller files suitable for quick sharing; higher tiers preserve more detail for archival or professional handoff.
Editing-Master Export Formats
For handing off footage to a professional editor or color grading pipeline, ScreenKite offers high-quality editing-master export formats that preserve maximum detail and dynamic range.
Export Resolutions
| Resolution | Size | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Match Canvas | Matches your project canvas | Best quality, preserves exact dimensions |
| Match Recording | Uses the recorded media size | Avoids upscaling when recording is smaller than canvas |
| 4K (UHD) | 3840×2160 | Sharper output for large displays and detailed demos |
| 2K | 2560×1440 | Good balance between quality and file size |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 1920×1080 | Great for YouTube and general sharing |
| 720p (HD) | 1280×720 | Smaller file, good for quick sharing |
Dedicated 2K and 4K resolution settings give you precise control over export sharpness. Resolution and Framerate pickers are hidden when Final Cut Pro XML is selected.
Recording Output Settings
These apply to the raw recording (configured in Settings → Output before recording):
Video
- Encoder: H.264 or H.265 (default: H.265)
- Format: MOV or MP4 (default: MP4). Disabled when alpha channel recording is enabled.
- Pixel Format: YUV 4:2:0 8-bit (video/full range), YUV 4:2:0 10-bit, or BGRA 32-bit
- High Resolution Mode: Resolution multiplier (default: 2× for Retina)
- HDR Recording: Enable/disable (requires macOS 15)
- Alpha Channel: Record transparency (forces H.265 + MOV)
Audio
- Format: AAC (default), ALAC, FLAC, Opus, MP3
- Quality: Normal (128 kbps), Good (192 kbps), High (256 kbps, default), Extreme (320 kbps)
- Sample Rate: 48,000 Hz
Color Space Support
ScreenKite detects and preserves color space:
- sRGB (default for non-HDR)
- Display P3
- BT.709
- BT.2020 (HDR)