Screen recording is an indispensable tool when it comes to gaming using a personal computer. It allows gamers to capture their gaming sessions, enabling them to playback and even share their wins with friends. It’s also invaluable for experienced gamers who want to learn from their mistakes. To help gamers get started, here’s a brief guide on how to screen record on a gaming PC.
The first step is to enable the display resolution for recording. This is a relatively simple process that can be done via the display settings on the computer. Click on your display settings and then set the resolution for recording to the desired resolution.
The next step is to decide which recording software to use. There are many options available, from free to paid versions, but the most popular applications are Nvidia ShadowPlay, OBS Studio, and Mirror’s Edge. Once you have chosen your recording software, download and install it on your gaming PC.
If you’re using Nvidia ShadowPlay, you’ll need to enable it in the settings menu. Go to the Nvidia control panel, click on the ShadowPlay tab, then click the “Enable GPU Recording” checkbox.
For OBS Studio, you’ll need to create a “scene” with your game running in it. To do this, you’ll need to use the Source Properties menu and add both your game window and your microphone to the scene.
Mirror’s Edge requires you to select the “Record” option from the settings menu in the game itself. You can also adjust the quality of the recording, as well as its framerate and resolution.
Once you have enabled the recording settings, you’re ready to start recording. You can hit the record button in the software or press a key shortcut on a gaming keyboard, depending on the application you are using. To stop the recording, simply press the same key or button.
Edit Video After Capturing
Once your recording is complete, you may need to edit the video before you share it with your friends. This can be done using a variety of video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and iMovie.
With many of these software options, you can trim your video, add transitions, color correct and enhance your footage, and even add a soundtrack or voiceover.
When you’ve completed your edits, you can export the video to various formats for sharing on popular video streaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.
Sharing Video Content
Sharing your recorded gaming session requires a few steps. First, decide which platform you want to share your video on. For YouTube or Twitch, you can find the upload or share button on your profile in either platform.
For other platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, you may need to download the video to your computer first and then upload it them to the platform.
Regardless of where you upload the video, make sure to include a title, any relevant tags, and a brief description so viewers can have a better understanding before they watch the video.
You should also consider making a thumbnail for the video so potential viewers will be motivated to click on it and watch. Designing a sharp, appealing thumbnail using software like Photoshop or Illustrator will go a long way in improving viewer engagement.
Additional Tips
If you’re recording a multiplayer game, you may need to use a microphone to communicate with other players. To prevent the audio from your microphone from being captured along with the game sounds, you can use a noise gate. This will enable you to filter out background noise or breaking audio from entering your recordings.
For large recording sessions, you may want to consider streaming your gameplay online. Many popular streaming platforms such as Twitch offer tools to allow streaming from nearly any device. Just make sure you have a good internet connection and a decent computer, and you’re ready to start streaming.
Additionally, you may find it helpful to invest in specialized gaming peripherals such as a gaming keyboard and mouse, as well as a headset with a built-in microphone, to take your gaming experience to the next level.
Hardware Considerations
Before you start recording and streaming, you’ll want to make sure your computer and peripherals are up to the task. If you’re gaming on an older machine, upgrading your hardware may be a good idea.
You’ll also want to make sure your computer has enough memory, a powerful video card, and a minimum of 8GB of RAM. This will ensure that you can efficiently run both the game and the screen recording software without slowdown or stuttering.
Another important consideration is your internet connection. For streaming games, you will need a high-speed connection to ensure a smooth experience. To check your connection speed, you can utilize the speed test provided by your ISP.
Finally, make sure you have enough disk space on your computer to save your recordings. Depending on the resolution and length of your recordings, you may need to invest in external storage devices such as an external hard drive or a USB flash drive.
Recording Software Options
When choosing recording software for your gaming PC, you have a few options. The two most common tools are free applications such as OBS Studio and Nvidia ShadowPlay, which can be used to capture popular streaming platforms such as Twitch, or paid software such as Corel VideoStudio and Pinnacle Studio Plus.
The advantage of using a paid program is that they often come with a wide range of features, such as advanced video editing options, support for 4K and 8K video, and features such as color correction and chroma-keying.
In addition, these programs usually have built-in templates, overlays, and transitions to give your recordings a professional touch. However, if you’re recording simple sessions and just need basic editing features, freeware programs may be all you need.
Either way, with the right software, you’ll be able to capture and share your gaming sessions with ease.
