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Vertical video is available on more and more platforms, and even when a platform isn’t an official vertical-video platform – like Instagram or TikTok are – a vertical video still can work. But how do you record a vertical video on a Mac? (The exact same tips even work on PCs.)
I discuss that in this article, including:
- What is vertical video?
- Why vertical video is a thing
- Is video that is vertical better?
- How to create video that is vertical?
What is vertical video?
Video that is vertical shows in a higher, not wider, dimension – like horizontal video. Here’s an example:
The horizontal video version of this same recording looks like this:
Why are some videos vertical?
This kind of video has been a thing since the iPhone launched. People held their phones as they would when making phone calls to start recording video. It just happened and caused some visual content creators to complain that video should be held horizontally, not vertically.
They had a valid argument at that point, as YouTube and other video services didn’t support this new video orientation. Then Instagram and TikTok started rolling out this orientation for all their videos. And now even YouTube plays that video orientation just fine.
Read next: How to easily resize horizontal video to fit vertically in Instagram Stories and Reels
Is vertical video better?
Is vertical better than horizontal video? It depends on how you are going to use it, I suppose. It’s better when TikTok and Instagram Reels are your primary platforms. On the other hand, if you are doing a podcast that also goes on TV, the horizontal video seems to be better.
Some video content is harder to see on a vertical layout than on a horizontal one. Think of youth sports – like softball. Vertical doesn’t work well here. Other times, a vertical framing is better.
Read next: How to do a video blog (How-to tips)
How to create vertical videos from your laptop
Traditionally, creators would shoot these videos with their phones. And that remains an option, but we can now shoot these vertical videos directly from our computers as well. One option is to use Restream.io, a streaming and recording software you can use from your browser. You can now switch the stream’s orientation or recording below the video preview window in the live and recording studio. Note that once you are live or are recording, the orientation cannot be changed without stopping the recording.
Choose the best setting on the right after setting the orientation and the video will completely fill the screen like this:
So shooting vertical video from your webcam and with Restream is easier than ever.