recording / record
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recording
The act of capturing information, sounds, or images on a medium so they can be played back or viewed later. Often refers to audio or video recordings.
Die Aufzeichnung des Interviews dauerte eine Stunde.
The recording of the interview lasted one hour.
'Die Aufzeichnung' (the recording/record) is the nominalization of the separable verb 'aufzeichnen' (to record). The verb describes the action, and the noun describes either the action itself or its result.
Der Journalist will das Gespräch für seine Notizen aufzeichnen.
The journalist wants to record the conversation for his notes.
Context tells you whether a media recording or a written record is meant. Words like 'Kamera' (camera), 'Mikrofon' (microphone), or 'Sendung' (broadcast/program) point to an audio or video recording. Terms like 'historisch' (historical), 'Tagebuch' (diary), or 'Protokoll' (minutes/record) refer to written notes.
Die Kamera lief für die Aufzeichnung des Konzerts.
The camera was running for the recording of the concert.
When the result of recording is meant, the word is often combined with the medium. Typical compounds are 'Videoaufzeichnung' (video recording), 'Tonaufzeichnung' (audio recording), or 'Fernsehaufzeichnung' (television recording).
Ich habe die Tonaufzeichnung des Meetings an alle Kollegen geschickt.
I sent the audio recording of the meeting to all my colleagues.
In the plural ('die Aufzeichnungen' — the records/notes), the word very often refers to a collection of notes, historical documents, or scientific data.
Historiker studieren die alten Aufzeichnungen aus dem Mittelalter.
Historians study the old records from the Middle Ages.
video
'das Video' and 'die Aufzeichnung' can both mean something that you can watch or play back later. 'Video' usually means moving images, often with sound, on a screen. 'Aufzeichnung' is more general: it can be a video, but also audio or stored data. 'Aufzeichnung' can also mean the process itself, that is, that something is being recorded. Learners can confuse the words when talking about filmed content. As a practical rule: if you mean the film on your phone or computer, 'Video' is more natural. If you want to emphasize that something was recorded and saved, 'Aufzeichnung' fits better.
Wegen des wichtigen Vortrags speichert meine Schwester die Aufzeichnung auf ihrem Laptop.
Because of the important lecture, my sister saves the recording on her laptop.
Vor dem Termin schaut er sich ein kurzes Video zur Vorbereitung an.
Before the appointment, he watches a short video to prepare.