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Why record a streaming video?
Knowing how to stream live events and recording them is an essential skill for remote learning, businesses, and remote event attendance. But before we proceed further in learning the methods and tools to record streaming video, let’s explore why you need to record a streaming video.
Some of the reasons why you need to record a streaming video are:
1. Reach a Larger population of your targeted audience
The most significant advantage of recording a streaming video is reaching a wider audience. With live events, recording is invaluable. This is because only a tiny fraction of your targeted audience can likely tune in to the live event in real-time due to their schedule or other difficulties.
Given this reality, recording your live event and publishing it after the stream has long ended has the potential to double and even triple your total audience. In addition, this gives viewers who do not have a fast internet connection the opportunity to watch the streamed event at their convenience.
2. Revenue Generation
If you are looking to generate more revenue from your skills and knowledge, recording streams for on-demand playbacks is a great way to start. As earlier stated above, the majority of the views for any given event are more likely to come long after the event has ended.
Hence, having a recorded video of the streamed event is essential if you must generate or optimize your revenue.
3. For Promo reels and Previews
Another reason why you should record streamed events is for you to have an archive of your previous works. This is very helpful in creating footage for commercials or promo reels. It can even be used as a “b-roll” or background shots.
Continued engagement even after the live event has ended is another good reason to record streamed events. Even if no other reason than the possibility of referring to recorded events in the future, we recommend keeping old streams for future use.
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Recording a streamed video and sharing it with family, friends, and coworkers, to watch at their convenience is a fast and easy way to bring order to the chaotic media landscape.
How to record a streaming video
Now that you know why it is important to record a streaming video, it is essential to note that live-streamed videos are not automatically recorded; you must manually start and stop recording (1). Hence, knowing how to record them is the next thing you need to know.
There are three primary methods to record live streaming videos; online streaming capture, video capture software for computers, and video capture software for mobile devices.
A. Online streaming record tools
When it comes to recording a streamed event, the first thing that comes to mind is to use a dedicated website for downloading media from the internet to copy the stream. So we would begin by explaining the best tools to use and capture streaming video online.
Recording a streamed event online is easy and faster because it doesn’t require downloading or any installation. It just requires opening a web page, setting up your recording parameter, and record the live stream.
Here are some reliable online services which offer good quality screen and sound recording:
- Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
This is one of the best free online screen recorders for recording and editing videos in real-time. With this tool, you can even edit videos while recording. This feature enables you to highlight interesting parts of the stream and add annotations.
Apowersoft enables you to export recorded videos in many formats. It’s simple, easy-to-navigate interface also allows you to upload your recorded video directly to YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, and Dropbox.
Although, you are required to install a special launcher to activate this recorder. It is the best online solution you can find when it comes to recording a streaming video online.
2. Screen Capture
The screen capture interface is so simple; you don’t need to learn how to use it. Moreover, it affords you to record non-stop streams at high-quality resolutions even when using incognito mode.
The downside of using screen capture is that you lack a choice in the output format. A watermark is also embedded on all videos, except you are using the premium package.
B. Video capture software for computers
An online recording is fast and easy, but it’s not always reliable because of your data’s potential risk, which may affect your privacy. Hence, PC software is more reliable.
Due to additional features and fewer bugs, installing video capture software is the best way to record streaming video on PC.
Some of the options available to you when using PC software are:
- Ability to schedule the recording of a streamed program
- Ability to rip streaming video before saving
- Ability to personalize shortcuts for easy use of the interface
The downside of using video capture software on a PC is the long launch process and the high cost of purchasing the full versions of the software.
Best streaming video recorders for PC
1. Movavi screen recorder
The interface of Movavi Screen Recorder is designed in a user-friendly way, so it is easy to use. In addition, the advanced recording settings allow you to record separate streams either simultaneously or separately with various export formats.
Here is the kicker; with this PC software, you can schedule a recording session should you forget to record the video when streaming manually. Movavi Screen Recorder has two packages; free and paid. No much difference exists between the two except the watermark on the recorded streaming videos where the free version is used.
2. OBS
OBS is essentially for professionals. As a result, the user interface is a bit difficult to navigate. However, it offers advanced editing tools you can use to create notable films and snippets from your streamed recordings.
It also offers you the opportunity to edit both the video and audio with advanced tools, add transitions, and choose to export your recorded streamed video in different media formats.
3. Screencastify
Screencastify is a chrome screen recorder that you can use to record streaming video on PC efficiently and fast. It also provides you the opportunity to edit the streaming video to your taste and save the output to Google Drive automatically.
Most PC users have reviewed this tool as the most accessible tool to record live stream videos. It can record any tab on your browser, embed webcam images, add voice with the microphone, draw on videos with a pen tool, and download the file in any format of your choice.
Below are few steps to use Screencastify:
- Step 1: Download Screentify from its official website
- Step 2: Install this chrome screen recorder. After installation, you will see the icon beside the URL bar of your Chrome browser.
- Step 3: Sign in to your Google account to start using it\
- Step 4: Play the live stream video you want to record, click the record button on the Screencastify icon, and everything on your PC screen will be recorded, including the streaming video.
- Step 5: Once the live stream video is over, click the stop sharing button at the bottom of the screen to stop the recording process. A pop-up window will emerge where you can either choose to watch the video or download it on your PC.
Stream recording on your MAC
Generally, MAC OS has a built-in application for recording its screen. This can be used to record streaming video on MAC. If you have an updated MAC, then following the steps below is all you need to record streaming video on MAC.
- Step 1: Open the recording controls by pressing Shift-Command-5
- Step 2: Select the recording area. If you desire to record the entire screen, then you should click the full-screen icon. But if you only want to record a specific area, you need to click the region and drag across your screen to select the capture area.
- Step 3: to add voice comments, click Options, and select Microphone
- Step 4: when done recording the live stream, click the thumbnail at the bottom right corner of the screen to edit, save, and share your live stream recording.
Recording tools for streaming video on mobile devices
More internet users watch streaming videos using their phones. You may even be one of them. If so, do you know how to record streaming videos on your mobile device?
Many mobile users don’t know how to record live stream videos with their devices. That is why the last thing we would talk about is video stream recording on mobile devices.
Most mobile devices, especially Android 10 and iOS devices have in-built video recorders. But should you not find them, here are some of the best apps to record streaming videos on mobile operating systems.
1. RecordIT
This is an iOS-enabled app that can record any chosen tab on your iPhone. The downside of using this app is that it records the entire screen with the background and icons.
This app allows you to add voice comments and edit the video before saving it. One cool feature on the app is adding facecam reactions. This is a great way to add and share your reactions on the stream.
2. AZ screen recorder
This screen recorder is for android users. It enables you to record your mobile screen with a high resolution and save the video in full HD. Advanced settings and recording options such as countdown timer, frame rate setting, clicks display, and microphone grabber makes it the best tool to record streaming video on android.
Yes, you can record a streaming video on your desktop with the use of desktop software. In addition, browser extensions installed on your desktop browser can also be used to record any streaming videos on your desktop.
Yes, you can record streaming TV by installing a third-party app on the TV. The app will help you stay up-to-date with your series.
Conclusion
Recording a streaming video helps your content not be lost in the internet void. In addition, it enables you to share unique content with family, friends, potential audience, and coworkers for later viewing.
Have you recorded a live stream before? What device and method did you use? We would love to hear from you in the comment section.
References:
- Google Meet Help. (2021). Live Stream a Video Meeting. Retrieved from https://support.google.com/meet/answer/9308630?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en