What Is Zoom Cloud and How Does it Work?

Virtual meeting apps have made it easier than ever for people to connect from anywhere, and Zoom is the biggest player in the game, holding 55% of the market. What sets Zoom apart are its easy-to-use interface, high-quality video, and generous cloud recording storage.

How The Zoom Meeting Cloud Works

First up, What is the Zoom Meeting Cloud?

It is a platform that helps users to keep records of the video, audio, and chat aspects of their meetings for future reference.

This feature can be accessed on IOS, Android, and PC devices. Users can either download the files from the cloud to their devices for offline use or stream them on the Zoom Web Portal.

The Recording layout which refers to the screen view of the Recorded meeting can be altered by the Host. There are 3 in number: Active Speaker, Gallery View, and Shared Screen.

A user can only get access to a cloud record after doubling its duration. For instance, if a virtual meeting was recorded for 2 hours, it cannot be watched until 4 hours after the recording ended.

Depending on the settings, Zoom will notify the host via email once the recording is ready for viewing. The mail will contain 2 links, one for the host to manage the recording and the other for sharing with the participants for viewing.

What Are The Requirements For Using The Cloud?

For starters, Cloud services are not free. To access them, you need a paid license. You can get it on the Zoom Web Portal.

Secondly, you need a Zoom Premium Account. There are 3 types: Pro, Business, and Enterprise accounts. The subscription costs and benefits increase from the former to the latter.

Cloud Recording Mode is automatically activated after subscription. The Cloud Storage available to Licensed Users differs with each Subscription plan. The Enterprise account has unlimited Cloud Storage.

Another requirement is that Users adjust the Cloud Recording settings to their taste. Modifying the settings can be done in groups or for personal accounts. In the group, the admin has full control over the settings once he locks them.

For Linux, Windows, and MacOS software, Cloud Recording functions on at least version 3.5.

On Android and IOS software, it also functions on at least version 3.5.

The last requirement is the Progressive Web App (PWA). A PWA is a website that has the appearance and functioning of an app. It runs on different search engines and can be operated on multiple devices.

What Isn't Covered By Cloud Recording?

Like every cool feature, this one has its constraints. Cloud Recording doesn't apply to Emoji Reactions or Non-Verbal Feedback Features like the Raised Hand.

Accounts with HIPAA security cannot access this feature unless they reach out to the Account Executives.

To ensure tight security of user data, these recordings cannot be uploaded on other websites.

Users are restricted to 150 recordings per meeting. Simply close the meeting and start another if you need more recordings.

How To Start Recording On The Cloud?

Cloud Recordings can only be done by Hosts and Co-Hosts in meeting rooms. Participants can only do Local Recording, which is recording to their devices.

Although Cloud Recordings have an automatic option, they can also be done Manually.

Here's how:

• Begin your meeting

• Hit the Record ⏺️ Button. Ensure you're not muted.

• Click the Record to the Cloud Option.

• You can end the recording by either Selecting Stop Recording or End Meeting.

There's a Pause ⏸️ option in case you want to pause the recording.

Immediately after the meeting ends, the recordings begin to process.

Common Issues Users Encounter With The Cloud And How To Resolve Them

Cloud Recording Link Not Working:

Sometimes the participants are unable to access the video via the link. The fault could be from the share settings. Some of which are:

1. The recording has an expiry date.

2. The participants are not among the people allowed to view because:

3. They signed into Zoom via restricted domains. In simpler terms, their IP addresses are banned from viewing.

4. They are not signed in to the host's account.

5. They're not External Single Sign On (SSO) users. An SSO is an authentication process that enables people to log in to multiple platforms with one ID.

6. The video is locked with a password.

The solutions to these problems are:

1. Increase the expiry date.

2. For a-c, simply click on the 'Everyone with the Recording link' option in the viewing settings.

3. Add the password to the link when sharing. There's an option that can help with that.

Delayed Processing Of The Cloud Recording:

The time taken to process Cloud recordings is usually double the duration of the recording. If people try to play the recordings during this time, it would show that they're still processing. In cases where the files are heavy, processing could take 24 hours.

Improving Your Zoom Meetings with Happy Scribe

If you’re using Zoom to host important meetings or webinars, transcribing Zoom recordings can make a huge difference in accessibility and engagement. That’s where Happy Scribe comes in. It’s a reliable and easy-to-use solution for transcribing your Zoom meetings, offering fast and accurate transcription services. Whether you need to capture every word or just the key points, Happy Scribe helps you turn your recorded content into easily searchable text, saving you time and effort. You can even summarize the transcript or create meeting minutes easily.