Understand screen recording, video hosting, sharing, and analytics with 50 definitions and practical business examples.
Screen recording and video sharing software helps people explain a process, demonstrate a product, train a team, and answer customer questions. This glossary explains the vocabulary you will encounter when choosing tools or making recordings for work.
Start with screen recording, video hosting, and video sharing, then explore captions, privacy settings, editing, and viewer analytics. The examples cover owners, marketers, salespeople, trainers, support teams, and anyone communicating through recorded video.
The concepts reflect workflows found in tools such as Loom and Vimeo. Definitions are independent of any provider's plan. For a quick explanation of common questions, see the video sharing FAQ.
Playback quality that adjusts to a viewer's connection.
Adaptive bitrate streaming switches between encoded versions of a video as network conditions change. It can reduce buffering, but requires the hosting service to prepare multiple quality levels.
Business example: A training video switches to a smaller stream when an employee moves onto a slower connection.
The relationship between a video's width and height.
Aspect ratio describes the shape of the video frame, such as 16:9 for widescreen or 9:16 for vertical video. Matching the destination helps avoid unwanted cropping or empty borders.
Business example: A marketer uses a widescreen product walkthrough on a website and makes a separate vertical version for mobile placements.
Recorded video people watch and respond to at different times.
Asynchronous video, often called async video, lets someone record a message without arranging a live meeting. It works well for updates and explanations that do not require an immediate conversation.
Business example: A project lead records a weekly update that teammates in other time zones watch when they start work.
Timed text for speech and meaningful sounds that viewers can turn on or off.
Closed captions communicate dialogue, speaker information when needed, and relevant sounds such as an alarm. They support viewers who cannot hear the audio or are watching without sound. Review automatically generated captions for accuracy.
Business example: A customer support team captions a setup tutorial so viewers can follow it with their speakers muted.
A setting that limits which websites may embed a video.
For video hosting, domain restriction means allowing the player to appear only on approved website domains. It controls embedding, and should not be treated as a substitute for viewer authentication or other access controls.
Business example: A course publisher allows videos to be embedded on its learning site and checks viewing permissions separately.
The number of individual video frames shown each second.
Frame rate is measured in frames per second, or fps. Higher rates can make motion smoother but may increase processing and file size. A mostly static screen walkthrough usually needs less motion detail than fast animation.
Business example: A trainer tests whether 30 fps keeps a software demonstration readable before choosing a larger export.
A common container format for storing video and audio.
MP4 is a file container, not a video codec. It can hold encoded video, audio, and other information. Whether an MP4 plays on a particular device also depends on the codecs inside it.
Business example: A sales team exports a demo as an MP4 and checks that the chosen audio and video codecs work in its delivery tool.
A video that asks viewers to enter a shared password.
Password protection adds a password check before playback. A shared password can be forwarded and does not identify each viewer; account-based permissions offer a different level of control.
Business example: An agency shares a draft campaign video with a client using a password, then changes it after review.
Storing and delivering videos with controls over who can watch.
Private video hosting combines online video storage and playback with access settings. Controls may include invited users, passwords, or organization access; the options depend on the provider and plan.
Business example: An operations team limits internal training videos to employees rather than publishing them for everyone.
A recording that shows how a product works for a particular task.
A product demo video explains a product through visible actions and outcomes. A useful software demo follows a realistic workflow and helps the viewer judge whether the product meets a need.
Business example: A software company shows how a customer creates and sends an invoice, from start to finish.
Capturing what appears on a device's display.
Screen capture is an umbrella term that can mean a still screenshot or moving screen recording. Clarify which output you need when comparing tools or requesting help.
Business example: A support agent requests a screenshot for a single error message and a screen recording for a problem with several steps.
A video of activity on a computer or mobile screen.
Screen recording captures changes on a display over time. Depending on the tool and permissions, it may also include microphone narration, device audio, or a camera view. It differs from live screen sharing because the result can be watched later.
Business example: A business owner records the steps for approving an expense so new staff can repeat the process.
A screen recording that includes microphone sound, device sound, or both.
Screen recording with audio combines captured screen activity with one or more audio sources. Microphone narration and system audio are separate inputs, and support varies by recorder, device, browser, and permissions. Make a short test before recording the full explanation.
Business example: A trainer checks that both spoken instructions and the application's notification sounds are audible.
A screen recording made to explain or demonstrate something.
A screencast usually combines recorded screen activity with narration or text guidance. The word describes a common format for software lessons, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting videos.
Business example: An accountant makes a narrated screencast showing clients where to find a monthly report.
Timed text that displays spoken words, often in another language.
Subtitles usually focus on dialogue and may translate it for viewers. Captions also represent meaningful sounds and speaker information. Product labels vary, so inspect the actual text track when evaluating accessibility.
Business example: A company adds Spanish subtitles to an English product introduction and separately reviews captions for sound information.
A video omitted from a platform's public discovery areas but accessible through its link.
An unlisted video generally does not appear in the host's public browsing or search features. Anyone with access to the link may still be able to watch or forward it, depending on the platform's other settings. Unlisted does not mean confidential.
Business example: A team distributes a non-sensitive event recap by link and uses stricter access controls for internal financial updates.
Helping search engines discover and understand pages containing video.
Video SEO includes clear page content, useful titles and descriptions, accessible supporting text, and appropriate technical signals. A glossary can explain the concept, but adding a video or structured data does not guarantee rankings or a special search appearance.
Business example: A business publishes a useful demo page with a descriptive title and supporting explanation instead of an unexplained player.
Making video content usable by people with different access needs.
Video accessibility can involve accurate captions, transcripts, descriptions of important visual information, and a keyboard-accessible player. Captions alone do not convey every visual step in a software demonstration.
Business example: A trainer narrates the names of buttons being selected and provides captions and a text version of the instructions.
Measurements of how people find, play, and watch videos.
In video hosting and marketing, video analytics measures viewing behavior such as plays, watch time, and completion. It is distinct from camera surveillance analytics. Check how each provider defines a view and handles repeated plays before comparing reports.
Business example: A marketer checks where viewers stop watching a demo before deciding which section to shorten.
Text, shapes, or other visual notes placed on a video.
Video annotations draw attention to information with arrows, labels, highlights, or similar overlays. Some review tools also use the term for comments attached to moments in a video; these are not necessarily part of the final export.
Business example: A support specialist adds an arrow pointing to a small settings icon in a recorded walkthrough.
The amount of encoded video data used per second.
Video bitrate is commonly measured in kilobits or megabits per second. More data can preserve detail, but does not guarantee better quality: codec, source quality, resolution, and motion also matter. Higher bitrates increase delivery and storage needs.
Business example: A team compares two exports to find a smaller file that still keeps spreadsheet text readable.
Loading video data ahead of playback.
A player buffers video so it has data ready to show. Playback can pause when data arrives too slowly, although network speed, device performance, and hosting delivery can all contribute. Adaptive bitrate playback can help on changing connections.
Business example: An employee's training video pauses on a weak connection, so the player lowers the streaming quality.
A prompt that tells a viewer what to do next.
A video call to action, or CTA, asks the viewer to take a specific step, such as booking a demo or reading a guide. It may be spoken, shown in the frame, or presented as a clickable player feature when supported.
Business example: A product introduction ends with a link to schedule a consultation.
Named sections that let viewers jump to parts of a recording.
Video chapters divide a longer recording into navigable sections, usually associated with timestamps. They help people find a specific task without watching the whole video. Available chapter features depend on the host or player.
Business example: An onboarding video includes chapters for creating an account, inviting colleagues, and setting permissions.
A method for encoding and decoding video data.
A video codec compresses a video into a form that a compatible player can decode. H.264, VP9, and AV1 are examples. A codec is different from a file container such as MP4, and compatibility depends on the playback environment.
Business example: A team checks its export codec when an MP4 works on one device but fails in a client's browser.
Using video and shared feedback to work with other people.
Video collaboration can involve recorded explanations, shared libraries, comments, and review workflows. In this glossary it refers to recorded video collaboration rather than live meetings.
Business example: A designer records a prototype walkthrough and teammates leave feedback before the next planning session.
The share of video starts that reach the end under a defined measurement rule.
Video completion rate commonly divides completed plays by video starts and multiplies by 100. Providers may use different end thresholds or counting rules, so check the denominator. Completion measures viewing behavior rather than comprehension or a sale.
Business example: If 60 of 100 video starts reach the defined end point, the completion rate is 60%.
Reducing the amount of data needed to store or deliver a video.
Video compression makes video files smaller using encoding techniques. Lossy compression discards some information, which can reduce clarity if settings are too aggressive. Compare the exported result rather than judging only by file size.
Business example: An agency reduces a demo's upload size while checking that small interface labels remain readable.
Saving a copy of a video file to a device.
A video download creates a local copy for offline use or reuse where permitted. This differs from watching through a hosted player. Download availability depends on the owner's permissions, and disabling a download button cannot prevent every form of copying.
Business example: A trainer offers an authorized download so field staff can watch a safety lesson without a reliable connection.
Displaying a hosted video player inside another webpage.
Video embedding uses the host's player or embed code to show a video on your website while the host handles delivery. It differs from a link that opens the video's hosting page. Playback permissions and allowed domains can affect whether an embed works.
Business example: A marketer places a hosted product demo on a service page so visitors can watch without leaving it.
How viewers interact with a video and its message.
Video engagement can include watching, replaying, commenting, reacting, or clicking a call to action. There is no single universal engagement formula, so choose measures that match the video's purpose and the platform's definitions.
Business example: A support team tracks whether customers watch the troubleshooting steps and whether repeat questions fall afterward.
The file structures used to package recorded video and related media.
Video file formats such as MP4, MOV, and WebM organize media streams and metadata. The file extension alone does not tell you which video codec is inside or guarantee playback in every tool.
Business example: An editor checks both container and codec requirements before sending a video to a client's publishing system.
A visual report of viewing activity across a video's timeline.
A video heatmap uses color to show where viewers watched, skipped, or replayed, depending on the tool. Some reports describe one viewing session while others aggregate many viewers. Read the legend before drawing conclusions.
Business example: A trainer notices repeated viewing of one setup step and adds a clearer explanation there.
Storing video online and delivering it through a player or shareable page.
Video hosting provides infrastructure for uploading, processing, and playing videos online. Services differ in storage limits, playback delivery, privacy controls, and analytics. Hosting is the delivery layer; recording creates the content.
Business example: A business uploads a finished training video to a host, then shares a playback link with staff.
An organized collection of videos that people can find and reuse.
A video library groups recordings using folders, titles, tags, search, or other organization features. Useful libraries also have ownership and access rules so outdated or restricted recordings are handled consistently.
Business example: An operations manager organizes training recordings by department and reviews them when a process changes.
Sending a recorded video as a message someone can watch later.
Video messaging conveys an explanation or update through a short recording, often combining screen capture and camera. Unlike a video call, the participants do not need to be present together.
Business example: A salesperson sends a brief recorded answer to a prospect's question instead of arranging another meeting.
Using video to help people get started with a product, role, or process.
Video onboarding introduces the tasks a new customer or employee needs to complete. Short recordings tied to specific actions are easier to revisit than one long general presentation.
Business example: A software business sends new customers a short lesson on setting up their first project.
The interface and software used to play a video.
A video player presents playback controls such as play, pause, seeking, volume, and captions. Some hosted players add quality selection, speed controls, branding, or interactive features. Check accessibility and device behavior when choosing one.
Business example: A course provider tests whether learners can operate the player with a keyboard and turn on captions.
Settings and practices that control access to video content.
Video privacy covers who can watch, share, embed, or download a recording. A private account permission, a shared password, and an unlisted link provide different controls. Check the actual viewing experience as an unauthorized visitor.
Business example: A manager tests an internal recording in a signed-out browser before distributing it to a team.
The pixel dimensions of a video frame.
Video resolution describes frame width and height in pixels, such as 1920 by 1080. More pixels can preserve fine detail when the source supports it, but cannot restore detail absent from the original recording. Text readability also depends on compression and display size.
Business example: A software trainer records at a size that keeps menu labels readable on the viewers' likely screens.
How much of a recording viewers continue to watch over its timeline.
In audience analytics, video retention describes where viewing continues or drops off. This differs from a data retention policy, which governs how long files are kept. Skips, replays, and chapter navigation can influence how a retention report looks.
Business example: A marketer investigates a sharp drop before the pricing explanation and tests a shorter introduction.
Checking a recording and collecting feedback before approving it.
In a production workflow, video review means examining a draft for accuracy, clarity, and required changes. Review tools may attach comments to timestamps and track versions. It is different from a consumer's product review video.
Business example: A client comments at the exact moment a draft demo displays an outdated price.
Giving other people access to a recording through a link, embed, or file.
Video sharing distributes a recording to viewers. A hosted link can be easier to update than an email attachment, but its privacy settings determine who can open it. Test the link with the intended audience's access level.
Business example: A consultant sends a client a playback link to a recorded proposal walkthrough.
The preview image shown before a video plays.
A video thumbnail helps viewers recognize the recording and decide whether it is relevant. A clear, accurate image sets expectations; a misleading one can attract clicks from people who will quickly leave.
Business example: A training library uses thumbnails showing the relevant application and task rather than a random frame.
Turning spoken content in a video into written text.
Video transcription produces a text version of speech. A transcript can be read separately, while captions require timing and may include meaningful sound information. Automatically generated text should be reviewed, especially for names, numbers, and specialist terms.
Business example: A support team checks a walkthrough's transcript before adapting it into a help article.
Removing unwanted material from the beginning, end, or sections of a recording.
Video trimming shortens a recording by cutting footage. It can remove setup time, pauses, or mistakes, but should preserve the steps and context needed to understand the task.
Business example: A trainer removes the first 20 seconds spent finding a browser tab before sharing the lesson.
A recording that teaches someone how to complete a task.
A video tutorial explains a process through a sequence of steps. It works best when the viewer knows the goal, can see the relevant actions, and can pause or revisit difficult sections.
Business example: A support team records a lesson on adding a new user and links it from the corresponding help article.
A guided recording that explains a process, interface, or result.
A video walkthrough takes viewers through something in context. A tutorial primarily teaches a task; a walkthrough may also explain decisions, review a report, or introduce a workflow.
Business example: An analyst walks a client through a dashboard and explains what each chart means for the business.
The amount of time viewers spend watching video.
Watch time measures viewing duration rather than simply counting plays. Reports may show total watch time or average time per play or viewer; those measures answer different questions. Use the platform's definitions when comparing results.
Business example: A team compares average watch time with a lesson's length to see whether most viewing reaches the main explanation.
A recording made using a device's camera.
Webcam recording captures a presenter's camera image and usually microphone audio. It can be used alone or alongside a screen recording. A camera view can add personal context, but should not obscure the screen details the viewer needs.
Business example: A consultant adds a small camera view to a proposal walkthrough and checks that it does not cover the figures.
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Video hosting stores a recording online and delivers it through a player or shareable page. Recording tools create the video; hosting tools make it available to watch. Some products combine both functions.
For many business workflows, upload the recording to a video host and send a playback link instead of a large attachment. Choose the audience permissions first, then test the link as a recipient. For sensitive content, use access controls that match the intended audience.
Subtitles usually display dialogue, sometimes translated. Captions also represent meaningful sounds and speaker information when needed. Closed captions can be switched on or off. Check what a tool actually produces, because product labels vary.
Use a host's free tier if its current storage, upload, playback, branding, and privacy limits fit your use. Check whether recipients need accounts and whether your chosen sharing settings are included. Test a non-sensitive recording before relying on it for a business workflow.
For hosted business video, analytics measures behavior such as video starts, watch time, completion, and interactions. Use it to identify confusing sections or assess whether viewers reach the main message. Definitions vary between platforms, so compare the same measures.
The best fit depends on your workflow: short recorded explanations, public product demos, private training, or client review. Compare recording needs, privacy, embedding, captions, accessibility, storage limits, and analytics using a representative video.