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Record · 7 minute read

# Record a clean take to the Mac

Viewfinder writes the incoming HEVC video directly into a QuickTime movie and adds synchronized AAC audio from the phone.

4K HEVC + AAC No second video encode

## Before recording

1. Choose the destination. Use Viewfinder → Settings for the default. Once a phone is connected, click its window's folder button or press `⇧⌘O` to assign that phone a persistent destination.
2. Confirm a stable live preview. Verify orientation and composition and check that CONNECTED remains visible.
3. Check phone audio. The VU meter must react and the intended input name should appear beside MIC.
4. Make a slate or spoken sync check. A short proof take catches the wrong input, a nearly full disk, or a bad route before the important recording.

## Recording states

Indicator | Meaning | What to do
--- | --- | ---
ARMED | Waiting for the next HEVC keyframe so the movie starts cleanly. | Keep the connection steady; this should be brief.
REC 00:00 | Video and synchronized phone audio are being written. | Record the take. Press `⇧⌘R` to stop.
SAVING… | The MOV container and tracks are being finalized. | Do not unplug the phone, unmount the destination, or force-quit.
RECORDING ERROR | The take stopped because continuing was unsafe. | Read the alert, check the folder and route, then make a test take.

## The finished movie

Movies use the name `After2AM yyyy-MM-dd HH.mm.ss.mov`. If a name already exists, Viewfinder adds `-2`, `-3`, and so on instead of replacing it.

Use Show Recording or `⌥⌘R` to reveal the last completed take in Finder. Open the file and confirm picture and sound before clearing a camera setup or storage card.

## What is and is not recorded

Recorded Incoming 3840×2160, 30 fps HEVC camera video
Recorded Phone audio encoded to synchronized AAC
Track metadata Phone orientation at the start of the take
Preview only Mirrors, grid, battery, level, VU, and prompt

Approximate video storage is 150 MB per minute at 20 Mbps, 263 MB per minute at 35 Mbps, and 375 MB per minute at 50 Mbps, plus AAC audio and MOV overhead.

## Interruptions and quitting

If the camera route disappears, the current take is finalized; one movie never crosses from USB to Wi-Fi or back. After the new route has live video and phone audio, begin another take.

Wait for SAVING…

Quitting during a take asks Viewfinder to stop and finalize cleanly before it exits. Never force-quit or remove the recording disk while saving is active.