Prepare the actual recording before choosing highlights. Play the file locally, confirm that it contains picture and sound, and check the upload limits shown in CastCuts. Keep the original, then make a compatible working copy only when needed. A clean source and a short test clip can reveal problems before you edit a whole episode.
Inspect the beginning, middle and end
Open the completed recording in a local player. Check the first spoken sentence, a passage in the middle and the final answer. Listen for missing microphones, delayed audio and an export that stops early. Verify that the intended camera or screen share is visible. A file that opens successfully can still contain a silent guest track or an unfinished recording; a new extension will not repair those problems.
Make one useful working copy
CastCuts accepts MP4, MOV and WebM sources with both video and audio. MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is a practical compatibility choice when an original does not preview reliably. Keep your recording master and avoid repeatedly compressing copies. Check the library’s current file-size, duration and storage limits before exporting; the standard source ceiling is 512 MiB and two hours. Reduce or split an oversized source externally.
Remove material that should never reach the clip
Review visible notifications, private chat messages, confidential slides and names before upload. Prepare redactions in an appropriate editor when needed; CastCuts does not provide a blur or redaction tool. Keep a note of any removed introduction because timestamps in the prepared file will differ from the original. Confirm that you have permission to use the recording and any included music, slides or guest contributions.
Render a representative test before batching
Upload the prepared video and wait for validation to finish. Select a short passage containing a face, movement and a difficult spoken term. Compare full-frame and fixed-crop composition, review available English captions, then download the rendered MP4 and play it locally. Save your originals and finished files yourself: CastCuts retains media for 24 hours, and clips expire with their episode. Publishing remains a manual step.
A fictional remote interview with two source files
Illustrative example. The people, recordings and results described here are fictional.
A creator receives a large camera master and a smaller meeting recording. The camera file has a sharp picture but no guest audio; the meeting file contains both voices. The creator returns to the editing project, combines the intended picture with the complete audio and checks synchronization before exporting one working MP4. They test a 25-second exchange before selecting the remaining moments.
Choose a source for complete, trustworthy content before optimizing its size.
Check before you finish
- Picture, both voices and synchronization work at three points in the file.
- The working copy fits the displayed upload and storage limits.
- Permission and visible private information have been reviewed.
- A downloaded test clip plays correctly and will be saved before expiry.
Practical questions
Should I convert every video to MP4 first?
No. Try a valid supported source first. Convert when you need better compatibility or a smaller working copy, and keep the original so another lossy export does not become your only master.
Can I upload an MP3 podcast?
CastCuts requires video and audio in the source. Prepare a video with suitable visuals in another editor before uploading an audio-only recording.
Does a Pro subscription increase source limits?
Pro removes CastCuts branding from new renders. It does not add higher-resolution output or longer media retention; check the current limits displayed in your account.
Use this workflow in CastCuts
Start with an uploaded podcast video
CastCuts selects continuous 1–90 second excerpts and exports 9:16, 720 × 1280 H.264/AAC MP4 files. Automatic transcription and transcript-based suggestions support English and require review. Free exports include CastCuts branding; Pro removes it from new renders for $9 USD/month, with the same processing and storage limits. Episode media is retained for 24 hours. Keep your originals and download finished clips before expiry. Publishing is manual.