Guidelines for Creating Operational Videos

Video Recording and Preparation

Resolution and Quality

• Record videos in high resolution (at least 1080p, ideally 1920x1080 or above).
• Maintain stable bitrate and avoid compression artifacts (recommended format: MP4, H.264 codec).

Frame Rate

• Record at standard frame rates (30 fps recommended), ensuring smooth video playback and clearer frame extraction.

Lighting and Contrast

• Use high contrast between text, buttons, and backgrounds for clearer OCR results.

Screen Capture and Layout

Clear Screen Layout

• Ensure that the video contains only relevant screens.
• Minimize unrelated or sensitive information from appearing on the screen.

Stable Capture Area

• Keep the capture area stable and static if possible, reducing unnecessary movement or scrolling.

Cursor Movement

• Move the cursor clearly, deliberately, and avoid rapid or erratic cursor movements.

Step-by-Step Actions

• Clearly separate individual operational steps with brief pauses (2-3 seconds).
• Allow time to capture each operation distinctly.

Text Clarity for OCR

Readable Font and Size

• Use large, legible fonts (minimum 14pt recommended).
• Sans-serif fonts (Arial, Verdana, Calibri) provide better OCR results.

Avoid Overlapping Elements

• Maintain enough whitespace around the text to improve OCR accuracy.

Highlight Important Elements - Optional

• Use visual indicators (arrows, highlighting, or colored boxes) around critical steps or text in your video if possible.

Video Duration and Segmentation

Segment Long Operations

• Divide extremely long operations into logical segments (recommended segments: 5-10 minutes per video).

Pause Between Steps

• Allow brief pauses (3-5 seconds) between critical operational steps for clear segmentation.

Privacy and Sensitive Information

Avoid Sensitive Data

• Ensure sensitive information (like passwords, keys, personal data, PII) is not displayed or is blurred.

Sanitization

• Prepare the environment (test accounts, dummy data) to avoid exposing confidential information.

File Naming and Metadata

Clear File Naming

• Name files clearly and descriptively (e.g., EC2_Creation_Operation_v1.mp4).

Provide Metadata

• Include additional metadata such as operation name, timestamp, and creator's name if possible.

Environment and Tool Preparation

Clean Desktop

• Keep your desktop or recording environment clean and free of distractions.

Prepared Environment

• Validate the operational environment (e.g., AWS Console, JP1 Job Server, Remote Systems) before recording to avoid troubleshooting mid-operation.

Testing and Iteration

Initial Short Test

• Perform short video tests first and verify outputs before recording lengthy operations.

Iterative Feedback

• Use the application’s feedback loops iteratively to refine video content.