Options¶
The Options screen allows you to configure application-wide settings including media folder (output directory), topics, default presenter, logo directory, YouTube integration, and syndication.
Screen Preview¶
Configuration Sections¶
Media Folder¶
Save to: Path / File Browser
Specifies the root directory where all recordings will be saved. Each recording creates a subfolder within this directory.
Default Location:
Changing the Media Folder:
- Navigate to the "Save to" field
- Press Enter to open the directory browser
- Navigate to your desired folder
- Press S to select the current directory
- Save your settings
Reset to Default:
Press C while on this field to reset to the default location.
Topics Management¶
Topics are categories for organizing your recordings. Each topic creates a separate folder in your output directory.
Topic List¶
Topics
Displays all configured topics. Use Up / Down to navigate.
Default Topics:
- QGIS sketches
- GIS development tutorials
- Open source workflows
- General tutorials
Add Topic¶
New topic: Text Input
Enter a new topic name and press Enter or select [ Add ] to add it.
Rules:
- Maximum 50 characters
- Must be unique
- Becomes a folder name (avoid special characters)
Remove Topic¶
[ Remove Selected ]
Removes the currently selected topic from the list.
Recordings Not Deleted
Removing a topic only removes it from the configuration. Existing recordings in that topic's folder are preserved.
Default Presenter¶
Default Presenter: Text Input
Sets the default presenter name used in recording metadata and YouTube uploads.
Used in:
- Video metadata
- YouTube video description
- Recording history display
Logo Directory¶
Logo Directory: Path / File Browser
Specifies the folder containing logo images for video overlays.
Selecting a Directory:
- Press Enter on [ Browse... ]
- Navigate using the file browser
- Select the directory containing your logos
- Press Enter to confirm
File Browser¶
Supported Logo Formats:
| Format | Extension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | .png |
Recommended for static logos |
| GIF | .gif |
Animated logos supported |
| SVG | .svg |
Vector graphics |
| JPEG | .jpg, .jpeg |
Not recommended (no transparency) |
Background Color¶
Background: Color Selector
Sets the background color for the lower third branding area in vertical videos. Use Left / Right or Enter / Space to cycle through available colors.
Available Colors:
white (default) · black · #62A4C7 · yellow · orange · red · green · blue · cyan · magenta
This color is saved per-recording so that reprocessing uses the same setting.
YouTube Integration¶
YouTube: Status / Configuration
Shows YouTube connection status and provides access to setup.
Status Indicators:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ● Connected | YouTube API configured and authenticated |
| ● Not configured | API credentials not set |
| ● Auth expired | Need to re-authenticate |
Press Enter on [ Configure YouTube ] to open the YouTube Setup screen.
Recording Presets¶
Recording Presets
Configures the default recording settings used by systray quick-record. These toggles control which recording sources and features are enabled when starting a recording from the system tray icon.
| Toggle | Description |
|---|---|
| Audio | Record microphone audio |
| Webcam | Record webcam for picture-in-picture |
| Screen | Record monitor screen capture |
| Vertical | Create vertical (9:16) version (requires webcam or screen) |
| Left Split | Use left half of screen for vertical video (requires vertical) |
| Logos | Add logo overlays to the recording |
Each toggle shows Yes (green/orange when focused) or No (gray/orange when focused). Press Enter or Space to toggle.
Vertical Video Constraint
The "Vertical" toggle is disabled (greyed out) when both Webcam and Screen are turned off, since vertical video requires at least one video source.
Left Split Constraint
The "Left Split" toggle is disabled (greyed out) when Vertical Video is turned off.
Systray First-Run
The first time you attempt to start a recording from the system tray, the application opens directly to this section so you can configure your preferred defaults before recording. After saving, the TUI automatically closes and subsequent systray recordings use your saved presets.
Save Button¶
[ Save ]
Saves all configuration changes to disk, including recording presets.
Configuration File Location:
Keyboard Shortcuts¶
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Tab / Down | Next field |
| Shift+Tab / Up | Previous field |
| J / K | Navigate topic list |
| Enter / Space | Select / Confirm / Toggle |
| C | Clear/reset directory (on media folder or logo directory) |
| D / Del / Backspace | Remove selected topic |
| Esc | Cancel / Back |
Field Navigation Order¶
- Media folder (output directory)
- Topic list
- Add topic input
- Remove button
- Default presenter input
- Logo directory browse
- Background color selector
- YouTube setup
- Syndication setup
- Preset: Record Audio
- Preset: Record Webcam
- Preset: Record Screen
- Preset: Vertical Video
- Preset: Left Split
- Preset: Add Logos
- Save button
Configuration File¶
Settings are stored in JSON format:
{
"output_dir": "/home/user/Videos/Screencasts",
"topics": [
{"id": "qgis-sketches", "name": "QGIS sketches"},
{"id": "gis-dev", "name": "GIS development tutorials"},
{"id": "open-source", "name": "Open source workflows"},
{"id": "general", "name": "General tutorials"}
],
"default_presenter": "Tim Sketcher",
"logo_directory": "/home/user/Pictures/logos",
"bg_color": "white",
"recording_presets": {
"record_audio": true,
"record_webcam": true,
"record_screen": true,
"vertical_video": true,
"left_split": true,
"add_logos": true
},
"presets_configured": true,
"youtube": {
"client_id": "...",
"client_secret": "..."
},
"syndication": {
"accounts": []
}
}
Workflow Position¶
This screen is accessed from:
- Main Menu → Select "Options"
- System tray → First recording attempt (opens directly to Recording Presets)
- CLI →
kartoza-screencaster --presets(opens directly to Recording Presets)
From here you can navigate to:
- YouTube Setup → Configure YouTube API
- Main Menu → Save and return
Related Pages¶
- Main Menu - Return to navigation
- YouTube Setup - Configure YouTube credentials
- Recording Setup - Uses topics and logos