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How to Record Meetings in Jitsi Meet

9 min Avkash Kakdiya

Jitsi Meet is a hit with many developers, businesses, and agencies. It’s a free, open-source platform for video conferencing that’s customizable and cares about privacy—what’s not to like? If you’re always in video calls with Jitsi, it’s handy to know how to record those sessions. This guide walks you through just that, covering built-in tools, using Dropbox, dealing with limitations, exploring alternatives, and keeping best practices in mind.

Built-in recording options

One pretty cool feature of Jitsi Meet is its built-in recording capability. It lets you save both video and audio right from the interface. Here’s what you need to know:

How to record with the built-in tool

To record in Jitsi Meet, you’ve got to host your own Jitsi server or use one with recording support, like the official meet.jit.si or your own configured server with Jibri enabled (the magic component for streaming and recording). On the meet.jit.si platform, recording is available but not always.

  1. Start your meeting as you usually do in Jitsi Meet.
  2. Find the ‘Record’ button—it’s in the bottom toolbar and looks like a red circle.
  3. Hit that Record button; you’ll get a prompt to choose between saving the video recording to Dropbox or live streaming (if that’s an option).
  4. Pick Dropbox or any storage option available for your recording.
  5. Stop the recording when the session’s done by clicking the red stop button.

The recording captures everything on screen plus the audio, handy for training or compliance. But remember, if you want this feature on your own server, Jibri needs to be installed and running.

Real-world insights

In a project where a software agency used Jitsi Meet for client workshops, built-in recording was a game-changer. They got Jibri configured on their server for auto-recording technical chats. It saved loads of time on post-meeting notes, making client communication better.

However, when you rely on the hosted meet.jit.si, there are hiccups: recording may not always be available, and users might face delays in receiving files, which is a pain for time-sensitive jobs.

Using Dropbox integration

Not keen on setting up your own recording server? The Dropbox integration is your friend for recording Jitsi calls. With meet.jit.si, you can hook up your Dropbox account for direct cloud saves. The perks are plenty:

  • Simple setup: No need to fuss over server or storage configurations.
  • Cloud backup: Safe storage on Dropbox, accessible from anywhere.
  • Automatic uploads: Recordings magically appear in Dropbox with zero effort.

How to set up and use Dropbox for Jitsi recordings

  1. Sign in to your Jitsi Meet account on meet.jit.si.
  2. Go for the recording feature by clicking the Record button.
  3. Follow the prompt to connect your Dropbox account.
  4. Once linked, start the recording; it’ll save to a folder named “Apps/JitsiMeet” in your Dropbox.
  5. Post-meeting, you’ll get an email with a Dropbox link to your recording.

Case study of Dropbox integration use

Consider a digital marketing agency that resells white-label video tools for client chats. They find Dropbox essential, recording each call for quality assurance and sharing with clients through Dropbox. This removes manual work and boosts productivity.

Security considerations

Dropbox uses encryption and data privacy measures meeting standards like SOC 2 and GDPR. Just be sure to get consent from participants before recording, especially in areas where laws apply.

Limitations

While there are definite perks to recording in Jitsi, there’s some baggage too.

Dependency on server setup

  • You need Jibri for built-in recording: No Jibri on a self-hosted instance, no recording. Folks using meet.jit.si face limitations if resources dry up.
  • Dropbox only on meet.jit.si: Your own server? You’re out of luck with Dropbox unless you customize settings.

Storage and accessibility concerns

  • Recording files size matters: Videos are usually hefty, which can max out your storage quickly. Free Dropbox plans cap at 2 GB.
  • Recording delay blues: Some users have to wait minutes or longer for recordings to show up in Dropbox—a bit of a downer.

Quality and reliability issues

  • What hosts see is what you get: Screen shares or multiple cams might not show up perfectly.
  • Dodgy networks can spoil recordings: Bad connections lead to incomplete or messed-up files.

Always get everyone’s okay before recording on Jitsi. Laws differ by region, like GDPR in Europe or laws in U.S. states.

Alternatives

If Jitsi Meet isn’t cutting it for you, other solutions might do the trick. Some popular platforms offer solid recording features right off the bat.

Zoom

Zoom handles local and cloud recording with automatic transcripts and highlights. It’s packed with controls, great for businesses needing compliance and detailed archiving.

Microsoft Teams

Teams fit right into Office 365, enabling seamless recording. It supports automatic transcripts, retention policies, and easy sharing within organizations.

Google Meet

Google Meet stores recordings in Google Drive, available to everyone in the meeting. Handy for groups already using Google Workspace.

Third-party tools

Try OBS Studio or Camtasia for screen recording Jitsi calls independently—perfect for those wary of server ties or needing custom setups.

Best practices

Recording Jitsi calls is powerful, but you need to take precautions to ensure quality, security, and compliance.

  • Tell participants: Let everyone know the recording’s started and ask for consent.
  • Do test runs: Test recordings before big calls to check audio and video capture.
  • Keep an eye on storage: Regularly check Dropbox or server space so you don’t run out.
  • Organize efficiently: Use clear labels and a proper folder structure for recorded sessions.
  • Limit access: Restrict viewing to protect sensitive data.
  • Review recordings soon: Verify files right after meetings to make sure they’re okay.
  • Stay updated: Follow Jitsi’s updates and docs for changes in features or policies.

Conclusion

Recording Jitsi Meet meetings can boost productivity, improve compliance, and safeguard valuable call information. Whether using built-in options, Dropbox, or other platforms, knowing your options ensures a good fit for your needs. Consider the limitations with infrastructure, storage, and legalities to plan effectively and make the most of these tools.

As a developer, business owner, or agency exploring video solutions, start by testing Jitsi recordings in your preferred setup. Tinker with server configurations, test Dropbox integration, and make sure your workflow supports secure, handy recordings.

Ready to dive into Jitsi Meet recordings? Set up your environment, inform the team, and nail down those meetings without missing a beat.


Liked the guide on Jitsi Meet meeting recording? Share it with your team or agency. If you need hands-on help setting up Jibri or cloud integration, reach out to experts with Jitsi Meet deployment experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing tool that supports meeting recording through built-in options and integrations like Dropbox.

By linking your Dropbox account to Jitsi Meet, you can save recorded meetings directly to Dropbox, ensuring easy access and storage.

Yes. Recordings rely on server-side support or third-party integration, there are storage limits, and sometimes recordings can be delayed or interrupted.

Platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet offer built-in and reliable recording features if Jitsi Meet’s options don’t fit your needs.

Always inform participants, test recording before important meetings, check storage availability, and review your recordings promptly to ensure quality.

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