VBR/CBR | FourCC Code | Keyframe Interval

Bandicam optimizes recording performance by using a hardware-accelerated H.264 encoder. So users of Bandicam can enjoy high quality and high speed recording.

If you use the H.264 codec, please carefully view the manual below:

Bandicam, h264 FourCC code, CBR, VBR



VBR vs. CBR

- VBR (Variable bitrate) allows a higher bitrate to be allocated to more complex segments of media files, while less space is allocated to less complex segments. If you check VBR, you can get a better quality-to-space ratio compared to a CBR (Constant bitrate) file of the same data.


FourCC Code: H264 and X264

- H264: H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 or AVC (Advanced Video Coding) is one of the most commonly used video formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition videos.
- X264: x264 is a free software library for encoding video streams into the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format.

If you choose H264, you can play the recorded video on most media players. However, if you want to edit the recorded video with Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere with the AVI file type, you must choose the "X264" option.
- You may install the X264 codec from https://sourceforge.net/projects/x264vfw/files/ (Install both x264vfw and x264vfw64). If you don't use Sony Vegas or Adobe Premiere, you may not choose the X264 option.


Keyframe Interval: 1 to 300

- If the Keyframe Interval is set to 150, keyframes will be created every 150 frames.
- If the Keyframe Interval is set to 1, every single frame will become a keyframe.
- When you want to edit the recorded video, you may choose "1" as the Keyframe interval. (When you choose "1," the recorded file size will be larger than others.)

* What's the difference between a frame and a keyframe.

fram and keyframe

  - Frame: A frame is a single shot of a series of still transparent pictures that form a video. (A frame contains partial information of a still scene.)

  - Keyframe: A keyframe is a frame used to indicate the beginning or end of a change made to the signal. A video file has a limited number of keyframes - not every frame is a keyframe. (A keyframe contains full information of a still scene.)

Other advanced user tips»

  1. How to start Recording Automatically - Scheduled Recording
  2. How to record 24 hours & 365 days - Computer Blackbox
  3. How to record dual/multiple monitors
  4. How to record webcam view and microphone
  5. How to record capture card video and audio
  6. How to edit the recorded video with editing programs
  7. How to add your face on your gameplay or video tutorial
  8. How to upload videos to YouTube from Bandicam
  9. How to upload videos to Vimeo from Bandicam
  10. How to use Chroma Key - Green Screen Recorder
  11. How to choose the best video codec for recording software
  12. How to record "computer sound" and "your voice"
  13. How to Draw on Your PC Screen
  14. How to record Windows Games/Apps (UWP) in MS Store
  15. How to Use Command-Line Parameters with Bandicam
  16. How to Record Remote Desktop Computer
  17. How To Record a Video with Better Quality
  18. How to use Nvidia NVENC encoder - HEVC vs H264
  19. How to use Intel Quick Sync Video encoder - HEVC vs H264
  20. How to use AMD VCE(APP) encoder - HEVC vs H264