# Configure recording settings, file size, and type

*Applies to: Pearl-2, Pearl Mini, Pearl Nexus, Pearl Nano*

Recordings are saved as MP4 files by default. Each channel (and, on multi-channel devices, each recorder) also has a file size limit set to 500 MB and the maximum file length set to 30 minutes by default. When a recording reaches the file length of 30 minutes or 500 MB (whichever comes first), the system closes the current recording file and immediately opens a new one. No recorded data is lost.

If you don't know what size to select, do some test recordings to get an idea of the file sizes you can expect. If you want to guarantee the recording lasts to a given time limit, select a file size that is far larger than you saw in your tests.

**Important considerations**

- You cannot change the recording settings, file size, and type for channels used with Kaltura events.
- The file recording type for a channel you are controlling and recording using Epiphan Edge must be set to MP4 and the maximum file size supported is 500 MB.

The following table describes the recordings configuration settings.

| **Label** | **Description / Options** |
| --- | --- |
| Time limit | Specifies the length of time the system waits before the recording file is saved and a new one is started (assuming the size limit has not yet been reached). Values range from 5 minutes to unlimited. The MOV file type is limited to a maximum duration of 13h15m, regardless of the value set in the UI. |
| Size limit | Specifies the maximum file size a recording can reach before it is saved and a new recording is started (assuming the time limit has not yet been reached). See Device differences below for the numeric range per device. |
| File type | Specifies the recording file type. Select from AVI, MP4, MP4-Fragmented, MPEG-TS, or MOV. **AVI**: Generally used for playback on Windows. **MP4**: A progressive version of MP4... **MP4-Fragmented**: A newer MP4 format. Fixed 10 second intervals... **MPEG-TS**: Does not support PCM audio encoding. **MOV**: A progressive version of MOV. Generally used for playback on Mac OS. |
| Filename prefix | Specifies how the recordings are named. Recording files start with the given prefix followed by the date and time of the recording, set by the system. The channel or recorder name is used if no prefix is given. Allowed characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, _, , #, -, [], (). Avoid using spaces in recording file names; use underscores or hyphens instead. |
| Automatic file upload | Select this if you want this channel or recorder to be part of any scheduled automatic uploads. |

**Change the recording configuration using the Admin panel**

- Log in to the Admin panel as **admin**.
- Open the Recording page. Do one of the following:
  - For a channel, select **Recording** from the Channels menu.
  - For a recorder, select a recorder from the Recorders menu.
- Under Recorder Setup, select **change**. The recorder settings open.
- Change the default recording file settings:
  - **Time limit**: Select a value from 5 minutes to unlimited.
  - **Size limit**: see Device differences below.
  - **File type**: AVI, MPEG-TS, MOV, MP4, or MP4-Fragmented.
- (Optional) Enter a prefix for the recordings.
- (Optional) Check the check box to exclude this channel or recorder from automatic file uploads.
- Click **Apply**.

**Device differences**

- **Pearl-2 and Pearl Nexus:** Size limit range is 50 MB to 64 GB (fixed).
- **Pearl Mini:** Size limit range is 50 MB up to a maximum of one quarter the capacity of the installed SD card (or SSD).
- **Pearl Nano:** No fixed size-limit ceiling — select from listed options; the available range depends on the size of the installed SD card or M.2 SSD. Nano has only one channel and no "For a channel/For a recorder" branching step.
- **Single touch control** applies to all four devices, but works differently per device. On Pearl-2 and Pearl Mini, this Admin panel setting adds a recorder or streamer (publisher) to the touch screen Launcher; it's enabled by default for every recorder and streamer, and can be disabled individually by unchecking the option for that recorder or streamer (a channel can have multiple streamers, so this is set per recorder/streamer, not per channel). The Single Touch API call only starts and stops recorders and streamers that have this option enabled. Pearl Nano has no Launcher, so this same feature macros the record and stream controls together — pressing either one starts both recording and streaming. Pearl Nexus has no touch screen or display, but the underlying Single Touch API call works the same as on the other Pearl devices.

> product: pearl-family · topic: recording · source: pearl-family-common.md · updated: Oct 13, 2026