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How to use Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes?

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You can use 5 different video recording modes in Galaxy Note 4: normal mode, fast motion mode, slow motion mode, smooth motion mode, and limited for MMS mode. This guide explains the details of these 5 modes and shows you when and how to use them.

Update 1: added a new section of How to set Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes after Android Lollipop update? If you are looking for smooth motion mode, slow motion mode, fast motion mode and limited for MMS mode after Android Lollipop update for Galaxy Note 4, please check this section.

This guide shows you how to use  and when to use different Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes: Normal mode, Smooth motion mode, Slow motion mode, Fast motion mode, and Limited for MMS mode.

If you want to change video size (resolution), please check this page.

Although this guide was written for Galaxy Note 4, it also applicable for Galaxy S5.

Table of Contents hide
1) Why you may try different Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes?
2) How to set Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes?
2.1) Step 1: Start Camera app in your Note 4.
2.2) Step 2: Tap Settings –More (…) as shown below.
2.3) Step 3: Tap Recording mode as shown below.
2.4) Step 4: Select one of the recording mode for Galaxy Note 4 as shown below.
2.5) Step 5: Save the settings for Galaxy Note 4 video recording mode.
3) How to use Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes, and when?
3.1) 1. Normal mode
3.2) 2. Limited for MMS mode
3.3) 3. Slow motion mode
3.4) 4. Fast motion mode
3.5) 5. Smooth motion mode
4) How to set Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes after Android Lollipop update?

Why you may try different Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes?

Galaxy Note 4 has one of the best smartphone cameras (in 2014). The 16M camera with  optical image stabilization (OIS) can not only take high quality photos, but also shoot nice videos.

But you may not know, in addition to the Normal model (default), Galaxy Note 4 also gives you 4 other video recording modes so that you can record impressive videos.

For example, you can use the slow motion mode to capture the important moments in detail with higher frame rate.  You can shoot a video that can easily be shared through MMS  with very small file size using the limited for MMS mode.

How to set Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes?

By default, the Normal mode is used. You can change Galaxy Note 4 video recording mode by following these steps.

Step 1: Start Camera app in your Note 4.

Step 2: Tap Settings –More (…) as shown below.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_1_settings

Step 3: Tap Recording mode as shown below.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_2_recording_mode_setting

Step 4: Select one of the recording mode for Galaxy Note 4 as shown below.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_3_5_recording_modes

Step 5: Save the settings for Galaxy Note 4 video recording mode.

Tap anywhere on the screen to save the settings and return to camera interface.

The video recording mode will be always used untill you manually change it again.

How to use Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes, and when?

In Galaxy Note 4, you are provided with 5 different video recording modes:

  • Normal
  • Limited for MMS
  • Slow motion
  • Fast motion
  • Smooth motion

Each of them is good for specific scenarios. Now, I will explain to you the usage of each video recording mode.

1. Normal mode

Normal mode is the default option. In this mode, you can use all features of the camera, e.g., video stabilization, dual camera, ISO, white balance setting, all video sizes from VGA to UHD (for video size and photo size, please check this guide).

One limitation of the normal mode is that you can only record videos in a fixed frame rate at 30fps (frames per second).

The video usually is in good quality and can be used for all scenarios.

2. Limited for MMS mode

If you just record the video for sharing through MMS (not for a full HD TV), you can choose this mode.

When this video recording mode is selected, Galaxy Note 4 will record the video in QCIF format (Quarter Common Intermediate Format).

The advantage of this format is  small file size and therefore, it is easy to share the video through MMS. Remember your phone company always has a stingy size limit for MMS.

Of course, the video resolution corresponding to the Limited for MMS mode is only 176 × 144. So, it is definitely not good for TV or a computer monitor. But usually it is ok if you watch it on the smartphones.

You will notice once you choose Galaxy Note 4 video recording mode to Limited for MMS, you cannot set the video size, and you cannot enable video stabilization (usually not necessary for such a resolution) as shown below.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_8_limited_to_mms_qcif

3. Slow motion mode

Slow motion mode allows you to record the video in a higher frame rate, but play the video in the normal frame rate (30fps). So,  you can watch the 10-sec action in 20, 40 or 80 seconds.

The slow motion mode is perfect for recording videos for sports and fast moving objects.

When you select slow motion, you are prompted to select the speed scale. In Galaxy Note 4, you can choose 3 different speeds: 1/2x, 1/4x and 1/8x as shown below.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_4_slow_motion_settings

When in slow motion mode, Galaxy Note 4 need record more frames and therefore, it cannot record in full resolution of the camera. It is limited to HD (720p) actually.

This means all videos recorded in Galaxy Note 4 with slow motion mode are in 720p (1280×720, 30 fps) only. You have no option to change the resolution.

When you choose 1/8 speed in slow motion mode, the recording frame rate is 30*8=240fps. With this frame rate, Galaxy Note 4 camera actually struggles to get the 720p resolution. So, in this scenario, the video resolution is scaled up to 720p from a lower resolution.  When you watch the video, the slow motion works as expected, but the resolution may be not comparable to a normal 720p video.

Therefore, it is recommended to use 1/2x or 1/4x speed in the slow motion mode.

4. Fast motion mode

Fast motion mode is opposite to slow motion mode.  When fast motion mode is selected for video recording, the play time will be shorter than the actual time. This is achieved through recording  at lower frame rate.

Sometimes, it is fun to record videos in fast motion mode. It may also reduce file size of the video.

Similar to slow motion mode, Galaxy Note 4 allows you select the speed for fast motion. You can choose 3 speeds; 2x, 4x and 8x as shown below.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_6_fast_motion_settings

When fast motion mode is selected, the video resolution is limited to full HD (1080p, 30fps). You have no option to change the resolution.

5. Smooth motion mode

Smooth motion mode allows you to record video in 60fps in full HD (1080p) resolution. The video quality can be significantly improved if you watch it on a UHD TV.

Although you can record 4k UHD video with Galaxy Note 4 in the Normal mode,  the frame rate is limited to 30 fps. When you compare the UHD video (recorded with normal mode in Galaxy Note 4) and the smooth motion FHD video (recorded with smooth motion mode), you very likely will feel the smooth motion video better.

Of course, compared to FHD video in normal mode, the final video size will be almost doubled. This is the drawback of smooth motion mode.

Another popular usage of smooth motion mode videos is to convert these videos to slow motion video.  In slow motion mode, the video resolution is limited to 720p, which is not good for a 4K TV.

But with a smooth motion video, you can convert it to FHD slow motion video (1/2 speed).

How to set Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes after Android Lollipop update?

Android Lollipop update for Galaxy Note 4 brought a new camera and simplified app.

Video recording mode settings were removed.

To set set Galaxy Note 4 video recording modes after Android Lollipop update, please follow this:

  • Fast motion is now under Galaxy Note 4 camera modes settings. Tap Modes to activate fast motion if you need this recording mode.
  • Slow motion is also under Modes.
  • Smooth motion is now under video size settings. You can choose FHD/60P 1920×1080 (16:9) to get smooth motion mode as shown below. Thanks to John Davies for pointing this out.
  • Limited for MMS mode is also under video size settings. You can choose QCIF limit for MMS in video size settings.

use_galaxy_note_4_video_recording_modes_9_smooth_motion_lollipop_update

Do you know how to use and when to use different Galaxy Note 4 videos recording modes?

If you have any problems or questions on how to use and when to use different Galaxy Note 4 videos recording modes,  please post them in the comment box below.

We will try to help you find a solution.

More how-to guides , tips and tricks for using Samsung Galaxy Note 4 are available at Galaxy Note 4 how-to guides page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Optimistic Walkerr says

    A great informative post about Samsung Galaxy Note 4 stock camera video recording capability.

    As of March 2021 FHD (1920X1080) video recording at 60 fps is found under SPORT MODE. In case this mode isn’t available by default, one has to download it tapping download button available under MODE option in default stock camera app.

    Reply

  2. Thaiphong says

    I don’t think so, they remove ” recording mode ” when you update 5 . You press the button ” MODE ” you see Slow motion & Fast motion

    Reply

  3. theTechLord says

    Hello.
    First of all, when I saw the Note 4, I was shocked about that it is no longer possible to scroll down in the all-settings view. Features have been removed to make the user interface cleaner again. That’s not good at all in my opinion. But unlike the Galaxy S6, where actually everything was messed up, the Note 4 still had a costumizable camera user interface. Since S6, thanks to Hyun Yeul Lee, who started with a less logical structure and reduced the stuff to the menus and settings ON A FLAGSHiP DEVICE, I am forced to enter the settings just to change video resolution.

    Additonally, the Lollipop Update causes even more mess. The slow motion mode pretends to be in real time finally, but the video file is still saved at 1/8.

    And Lollipop causes the screen to black out for 0,1 seconds, to simulate the camera shutter. This effect looks horrible. The fact that Samsung did not have this effect was a great advantage over iPhone. But now, Samsung implemented it too. Facepalm. But Samsung forgot to implement this effect for still photos being recorded during a video record However, that was implemeted on TouchWiz Nature UX 5.

    The burst shot limit. The Samsung G900X Demo phone was not limited to thirty shots in row but to 1000. This proves, that this limit could have been higher, if they used the hexadecimal system for limiting to thirty. The it would be 48. And iPhones are not limited to thirty shots in row. That’s just a software-based and unnecessary limitation.

    Additionally, the 60fps mode at Lollipop needs less space? Only 85%? And I can just take 1080p still pictures during a video record instead of full 5312×2988 pixels. And playing it back, it looks like ordinary 30fps footage! I was pretty shocked, when I looked at the code information. It says 29fps and 15 Mbit/s (normal FHD is 30fps and 18 Mbit/s)

    The Lollipop-Update kills the 60fps mode!!! That’s not excusable! And I was even jealous to the 1080p@120fps of the 6s!

    Sent from my father’s G910F.

    Reply

    • theTechLord says

      Don’t get me wrong please! The Note 4 is still a superior phone. But I am always the first one to recognize those minor flaws.

      I can’t stand the feeling of not having capabilities on a device.
      But the Note 4 is a superior device. Even the Note 3 is yet good in 2016! But it’s OIS-Less camera is truly outdated and too slow.

      Reply

  5. Ken Pope says

    Note 4 w/ 5.1.1. Stock camera app will only record video for 10 minutes. How can I change the settings to allow for longer recordings? Thanks

    Reply

  6. TJ. AJ. RJ. BACKSLASHINFOURTH THE 5th says

    My Samsung Galaxy note 4 has the current update and the only settings I have under Modes are Selfie and Wide Selfie. How do I get the slow motion and fast motion modes? Every where I look says it’s all under Modes. I’ve looked and restarted my phone and looked again. I don’t have those settings at all. How do I get them?

    Reply

  7. John Davies says

    Smooth Motion is still there, it’s now in the camera settings under video size, It’s called FHD 60P. It records sound also.

    Reply

  8. Anton Attard says

    I made a video in smooth modes in the past. I believe my phone was actually on silent since it was a wedding. When I recorded the video there was no sound. I then lost these memories unless there is some way the sound was recorded and I can get it back. I then tried to record in smooth mode with sound on and it still did not work. How do you record smooth mode with sound then?

    Reply

  9. Harald says

    On playback, it doesn’t matter if I rotate 180 degrees. It still flips back to the portrait position. Do I need to flip the phone to a particular side when video recording? Doesn’t seem like it should matter.

    Reply

  10. Harald says

    I just took my first video with a Note 4. I held the phone widescreen. When I try to play it back, holding the phone widescreen, the video keeps turning sideways. It will only show widescreen if I lay the phone down on a table. How do I change this?

    Reply

  12. Jade says

    I want to take a screenshot of a slowmotion video I took; is it possible to remove the slide bar and controls so I can get a clean shot?

    Reply

  13. April says

    Yes, specifically the “recording mode” button on the menu is gone. Now I can only go into slow motion recording from the menu that pops up on the left side of the screen and when I do the quality is very poor and the play button / pause button stays in the middle of the video the entire time you are watching it. It does not give me the option to switch between 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8 record time, it simply goes into a default slow motion setting that is not the same as it used to be.

    Reply

  14. April says

    My phone was acting glitchy, so I backed up my data and reset it. Now my slow motion camera is not the same. In fact, it’s terrible. I bought this phone with this gigantic screen solely for the purpose of the high quality slow motion camera. I use it for my job daily. I am devastated. Is there any way to go back to the old system? I’m stunned that this is the update. It is shocking that such a feature would be eliminated or downgraded to this poor quality. Please help!

    Reply

  15. Lou Ann says

    I have the note 4 phone and now when i take video, ex: for text message, it is all grainy . Ive read the above comments and have cleared the cache and data with no change. Also i have started getting errors that my e mail has stopped working. Thanks in advance

    Reply

  16. Jean says

    I recorded a slow motion video but would like to have a picture out of one of the frames is ot possible to do this, if so how

    Reply

  18. flamingo says

    I’m also trying to figure out how to record videos with sound. Prior to Lollipop I had no issues. Now I can’t get sound. Very frustrating.

    Reply

  19. shok trupz says

    Hello – I just got my Note Edge from AT&T. It has 4.4.4 on it. If you need the baseband I can supply that, but the thing that I can’t find – The Slow, Fast, and Smooth Motion Recording. I only have Normal and MMS. Any ideas? (I just got the phone yesterday).

    Reply

  20. Toua says

    The recording quality and playback on the phone is good but once I post it on my FB page it is so grainy… Can you help please… I thought that it would have a better quality then that… Made me wish I never had paid so much for a phone with poor quality video recordings…

    Reply

  21. masdim says

    the slow motion mode was disaster after 5.0.1 update. Poor quality video. and i think not need that editing menu after shot that slowmo mode. kitkat mode better.

    Reply

  22. wascar says

    The same here video recording settings is missing on my note 4 . Haven’t had any issues with the phone itself like some people are , But I understand their frustrations. You pay for this high end phone we expect nothing but the best from it .The slow motion is in the main camara menu when you select it , at automatically switch over video so you can shoot slow motion videos . However the smooth motion is gone from the settings completely. I hope that the next update address that issue.

    Reply

  23. Monte Lininger says

    After the Lollipop Update, 5.01, the slow motion and fast motion is now found to the left of the camera shutter button, under the button called “MODE”. This was used to select the camera mode before but now the video modes are included in this list.

    Reply

    • nofxious says

      those same modes were on the phone before, but you had to download them. I tried it tonight and the quality is repulsive, it’s definitely not the same record mode… It’s unbelievable that they changed this.

      Reply

      • Sam says

        Totally agree!! The camera update is shocking!! Quality is soo poor from before! I used my slow motion for golf swings which was great quality. Used it today and it was terrible!! They need to sort this! I got this phone because of the bloody camera! Now it’s gone to shit!

        Reply

  27. Friedericke says

    I plan on recording a ballet recital. What would be the best recording mode? I also plan on sending the recordings to other people through messaging

    Reply

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