Best Screen Recording Tips

People love viewing videos and creating a video to share their thoughts; and screen recording just make it easier for them.

It seems like everyone needs to record their screen, such as online teaching tutorial, business promotion video, student projects, and daily vlogs.

Here in this article, we’ll explain every detail about recording screen to help you share your ideas better. Follow this guide to learn the tips, recorder programs and more.

Part 1: Basic Concepts of Screen Recording

Screen Record: The activity of recording a video of what is going on your device screen is referred to as screen record. You need a screen recording application to record your screen activities. Screen record is useful in capturing gameplay and videos playing on the screen.

Screencast: The act of recording what is happening on the screen a device along with audio narration is referred to as screencast. This is useful in creating demonstration and tutorial videos. You will need screencasting software to record screen activities with audio.

Screen Capture: The act of taking a digital image of the content on your device screen is called screen capture. Some refer to it as taking a screenshot. This is useful in sharing what is on your screen instantly to someone else through social media message or email.

Part 2: Preparations to Record Screen

Here are the things you need to get sorted out before you start recording your screen.

Write a Script or Outline: You should have a complete script ready before starting to record your screen. The script should contain all the steps of what you want to record one after the other and what you want to say when you record. If you have some experience, instead of a script, you can prepare an outline containing the main topics to cover in the video sequentially.

Webcam (if needed): If you want to record your screen as well as your video, you will need a webcam. For example, gamers record their gameplay as well as show their reaction through webcam. Similarly, while recording a screen tutorial video, you may want to record your video explaining things to your audiences.

Microphone: If you want to record your screen and only system audio, you won't require a microphone. But more often than not, you will want to speak to your audiences while capturing the screen. That is when you will need an external microphone to record your voice. For example, you will need a mic when you want to record your live commentary while capturing your gameplay.

A screen recorder: Last but most importantly, you will need a screen recorder to record your screen activity. If you want to record your computer screen, you will need a screen recording software which could be free or paid. If you want to record your phone screen, you will need to download a screen recording app.

Part 3: Open-Source Screen Recorders

Open-source screen recorders are available free of cost, and they are compatible across all desktop operating systems. If you are new to screen recording, you can get started with open-source screen recorders. Here are the best open-source screen recorders for PC.

1. OBS Studio

Best for: best screen recorder for those who livestream their screen.

User rating: 4.6/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1, Mac 10.13+ and Linux

OBS Studio is the most popular open-source screen recorder that both many beginners and experienced video creators regularly use. Even though it is completely free to use, the features are comparable to most proprietary screen recorders. You can capture not only your screen but also from almost all external video devices. Most importantly, you can record your screen at 4K resolution.

You can also adjust all the different video parameters and you can customize your recording area. You can switch between different scenes seamlessly with OBS Studio. Besides, there are audio mixer and audio filters available. You can use hotkeys for faster operation. The platform is the best for live streaming on different online platforms.

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2. ShareX

Best for: best screen recorder for those who want to upload on different platforms.

User rating: 4.8/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/7

ShareX is a free and open-source screen recorder for PC that is only available for Windows users. Even though the software is primarily for capturing screenshot, you can capture videos and upload them on different online platforms. There are different capturing modes available to record the screen area as per your requirements.

There is an option to record screenshots automatically at regular intervals. Moreover, you can create short video files as well as interesting GIF files. The software is quite lightweight and hence, it does not put pressure on CPU resources. There is no free or proprietary screen recorder that offers as many upload options as ShareX.

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3. Captura

Best for: best free and lightweight screen recorder for beginners

User rating: 4.4/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1

Capture is a completely free screen recorder for Windows users only. It is a very lightweight application with a minimalist user interface. It stays minimized in the system tray for instant access. You can capture your screen as well as your webcam together if you want to. Besides, the software can capture internal and external audio.

There is also an option to highlight mouse clips and keystrokes and this is useful for making tutorial videos. Besides, there are various hotkeys available for swift operation. You can customize the recording area and you can capture gameplay seamlessly. The software is available in over 30 languages.

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4. CamStudio

Best for: best free screen recorder for basic screen recording

User rating: 4.6/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7

CamStudio is a free and open-source screen window recorder for Windows users only. The user interface is minimalist and intuitive. You can customize various configuration settings for recording your screen. You can select from different recording screen area options as well as customize the area as per your requirements.

There are options for stopping the recording automatically as well as video annotation. On the downside, the software allows saving your video file in AVI and SWF formats only. Besides, you cannot edit your video well after recording. You can record internal as well as external audio and highlight mouse clicks and movements.

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5. Freeseer

Best for: best cross-platform screen recorder to record conferences.

User rating: 4.0/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7 and Linux

Freeseer is a cross-platform screen recorder for PC. The user interface is simple, and it is particularly designed to record live video conferences. You can select the recording area on your screen as per the window size where you will watch the conference. You can record internal audio as well as external audio from a microphone.

Since it is an open-source software, you can install several plugins for audio and video mixing. There is a unique talk editor available where you can enter useful metadata regarding the conference you are about to record. You can also upload any recorded video to YouTube directly through Freeseer.

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6. Kazam ScreenCaster

Best for: best free open-source screen recorder for Linux users

User rating: 4.0/5.0

System compatibility: Linux

Kazam ScreenCaster is a free and open-source screen recorder for Ubuntu users. You can record your screen as well as webcam video simultaneously. The user interface is clean and intuitive. You can use Kazam ScreenCaster to capture screenshots as well. Besides, there are customizable settings available.

There are different file formats available and you can customize the recording screen area. Moreover, there is an automatic recording option available. You can choose from different hotkeys and customize them for faster operation. You can highlight mouse clicks and keystrokes and record audio from internal and external sources.

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Part 4: Proprietary Screen Recorders

If you are serious about recording your screen and publishing the video online, you should invest in purchasing a premium screen recorder. A proprietary screen recorder is a video recorder where you have to purchase a premium plan to avail all the features. They offer all the required features for professional screen recording as well as editing the recording video. Here is the list of the best proprietary screen recorders for you.

7. Filmora Recorder

Best for: best screen recorder for all video creators

User rating: 4.8/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7 and Mac 10.14+

Wondershare Filmora is one of the most popular screen recorders among video creators. You can record screen and webcam simultaneously as well as capture audio from system and external mic. Most importantly, you can record at 4K resolution without any performance lag. Besides, you can highlight mouse clicks and use greenscreen effect and customize background screen.

The main reason why Filmora is a preferred choice for recording video is that it comes with a world-class video editor. Therefore, you can enhance your video quality and content that will make the video stand out. Starting from adding audio and video effects to working with multiple video and audio clips, Filmora is undoubtedly the best screen recorder cum video editor for Windows and Mac users.

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8. Camtasia

Best for: best screen recorder for making tutorial videos.

User rating: 4.3/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10 and Mac 10.14+

Camtasia by TechSmith is widely used by video creators to create tutorial and demonstration videos. You can record your screen, webcam video, software application, websites, as well as PowerPoint presentations. The best part of the application is that there are several templates and themes available to record different genres of videos professionally. It supports importing different file formats and exporting directly on video streaming platforms.

There are several filters and presets available to apply on your recorded video. The video editor has standard and some advanced features. There are various effects available to highlight mouse movement and clicks. You can tweak the audio with different options available for enhancement. Overall, Camtasia is a well-balanced screen recording software with a great video editor.

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9. Bandicam

Best for: best screen recorder for gamers with Windows PC

User rating: 4.3/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7

Bandicam is a preferred screen recorder among gamers. The software allows you to record screen, gameplay as well as video from external video devices. You can capture video from gaming consoles, webcams and smartphones as well. While recording your screen, you can use real-time drawing tools. Moreover, you can schedule recording for automatically record the screen in your absence.

The software allows the greenscreen effect and there are options for customizing different settings and parameters. You can capture any part of the screen as per your requirements. You can also highlight mouse clicks and movements and capture screenshots. However, the software is yet to be available for Mac and Linux users.

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10. Movavi Screen Recorder

Best for: best screen recorder for home users to record online sessions.

User rating: 4.1/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7 and Mac

Movavi Screen Recorder is a well-balanced software for recording your screen, webcam, and system and external audio. There is an option where you can set a timer for the recording to end automatically. You can highlight keystrokes and mouse cursors, and you can draw on the screen in real-time for better explanation.

In fact, you can record only audio for podcasts as well as webcam video only for one-to-one videos. The software allows recording at 4K resolution without any issue. You can also use Movavi Video Editor Plus for professional-quality editing of the recorded videos. You can also capture a screenshot and export videos in different file formats.

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11. Icecream Screen Recorder

Best for: Suitable for recording webinars and video calls

User rating: 4.0/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 10/8/7 and Mac and Android

Icecream Screen Recorder lets you customize recording area as per your requirements. You can easily record webinars, video calls, and livestreaming videos. In fact, the software is capable of recording 3D games in full-screen mode. Besides, you can capture webcam video in the overlay mode.

The software has drawing tools that you can use in real-time to add texts, shapes, and arrows. In fact, you can add your logo or watermark on the recorded video. You can upload the video directly on YouTube as well as on cloud storage platforms. You can even schedule recording, mouse effects, and edit videos such as trimming, changing video speed and convert into different file formats.

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12. Screenrec

Best for: best premium screen recorder for beginners

User rating: 4.5/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 10/8/7/XP and Linux

Screenrec is a premium screen recorder with a very intuitive user interface that makes it suitable for beginners. You can start and stop recording your screen with a single click. You can also record your webcam and audio from your system as well as external microphone. The software is perfect for taking screenshots and adding annotations wherever required.

The software generates a sharable link so that you can share it anywhere you want instantly. Once the link is shared, you can check its analytics. The video content management system is quite robust and the video content is fully encrypted for security and privacy.

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Part 5: Online Screen Recorders

If you do not want to install any dedicated screen recording software on your computer, you have online screen recorders to record the screen on the go. There is no software to install as you can launch the online screen recorders instantly from your web browsers. Here are the best online screen recorders for you.

1. Screencastify

Best for: best online screen recorder for those who want a browser extension.

User rating: 4.4/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac and Chromebook

Screencastify comes in the form of a Chrome browser extension and hence, only Chrome users can use them. You can record your screen, your webcam video individually as well as together. The recording widget has options for real-time drawing while recording the video. Additionally, you can add stickers to enhance the video content.

After recording, you can upload the video on Google Drive, and you can share the video link instantly with anyone. The video editor offers you basic video editing options. You can even highlight mouse cursor. As far as saving the recorded video goes, you can export in MP4, MP3 as well as GIF file formats.

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2. Screencast-o-Matic

Best for: best online screen recorder for everyone

User rating: 4.7/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chromebook.

Screencast-o-Matic is the best online screen recorder in terms of features and customization. All the features are well-balanced so that everyone can use it to satisfy their requirements. You can choose screen, webcam or both for recording. You can set a maximum time so that the recording can stop automatically.

You can choose the video resolution and you can choose audio sources. You can also capture screenshots and customize the recording area. If you opt for its premium plan, you get a vast stock library to enhance your video content. In fact, you can add animations, effects, add voiceover, background audio and automated caption.

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3. Loom Online Screen Recorder

Best for: best online screen recorder for teams and collaborative works.

User rating: 4.1/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chromebook.

Loom comes with an online screen recorder along with a Chrome extension as well as desktop app. With the online screen recorder, you can record screen only, camera only as well as screen and camera together. You can choose actual webcam as well as virtual webcam and you can select an external mic for audio recording.

The online screen recorder comes with a recording countdown and you can save your videos on the workspace that Loom provides. You can select the entire screen, the browser tab or the application window. You can instantly share the recorded video with people through emails, social media platforms and much more.

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4. Screencapture.com

Best for: best online screen recorder for amateurs

User rating: 4.2/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.

Screencapture.com is a freemium online screen recorder as it attaches a watermark to the recorded video in free mode. You can record your screen as well as your webcam and select the audio source as per your requirements.  The recording is limited to HD resolution. You can capture video in Picture in Picture format.

The platforms emphasize downloading its desktop recorder where more features are available. You get the option to select the recording screen such as entire screen, browser or application window. After recording the video, you can instantly check its preview before saving or discarding. You can save the video in different file formats.

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5. Panopto

Best for: bests online screen recorder for teachers and students

User rating: 4.7/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.

Panopto offers you a platform where you can record any video and save them on Panopto or Classroom. Therefore, it is an ideal platform for teachers and students and lecture delivery. You can even upload the recorded video on YouTube directly. You can even save the video on your local drive.

You can record any part of your screen in full HD resolution and the online recorder allows you to record webcam as well. You can also record system and external audio. The best part is that you can choose the video layout such as tile or PiP mode. Besides, you can blue the background while recording.

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6. Apowersoft Online Screen Recorder

Best for: best online screen recorder for recording demonstrative videos.

User rating: 4.8/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Chromebook

Apowersoft online recorder is one of the most popular and comprehensive screen recorders. You have to install its web installer on your computer for its online recorder to operate. You can record any region on your screen with the recorder. You have the option to save the recording on your local drive as well as on RecCloud. Besides, you can upload the video directly on YouTube.

The record supports different types of video output formats and you can record anything starting from live calls and video streams to demonstration videos. In fact, you can record even your webcam video along with external audio. There are also options for annotation while recording for better explanation.

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Part 6: Screen Recorder for Mobile

If you want to record your mobile phone's screen, you need to install a screen recorder app. Here is the list of the best screen video recorders for mobile users.

1. AZ screen recorder

Support OS: Android

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hecorat.screenrecorder.free&hl=en_IN&gl=US

AZ screen recorder is a complete screen recorder from all perspectives. The app lets you record your screen, edit your video, go for livestream as well as take screenshots. You can record at full HD resolution and change resolution, frame rate and bitrate as required. The app can record internal sound as well as external sound through phone microphone.

You can also record your video through facecam in the overlay window. The app also comes with all the options for basic editing. You can even livestream your screen video on different video streaming platforms. Moreover, you can make GIFs from videos as well as take screenshots. The app is completely free to use without any watermark.

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2. DU Recorder

Support OS: iOS and Android

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Download Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/du-recorder-screen-recorder/id1295647284

DU Recorder is a freemium app that is available for iOS and Android users. The free version attaches a watermark which is why you have to opt for DU Recorder Premium. You can record your screen and livestream your screen activities on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. The app can record gameplay, video calls, live shows and anything on the screen.

The recording can be in full HD resolution and you can adjust the video parameters. Besides, you can edit your video such as trimming, cropping, adding music, frames, stickers, texts and much more. Moreover, you can capture facecam video, change video speed, record internal and external audio, and convert video to GIFs. All in all, it is a great screen recorder with video editing and livestreaming features.

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3. XRecorder

Support OS: Android and iOS

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=videoeditor.videorecorder.screenrecorder&hl=en_IN&gl=US

XRecorder is a completely free screen recorder with no watermark. You can capture your screen video as well as take screenshots. The screen recorder allows you to select from 240p to 1080p resolution for video recording. The app provides you with a floating widget to record anything on the screen starting from live calls to live shows.

You can even livestream your screen and you can do basic editing on the recorded video. There is no time limit on the recording and hence, it is quite suitable for recording gameplay. You can record internal and external audio as well as record facecam in a small overlay window. Besides, you can add music as well as change video speed as per your requirements.

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4. Mobizen Screen Recorder

Support OS: Android and iOS

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rsupport.mvagent&hl=en_IN&gl=US

Mobizen Screen recorder belongs to the freemium app category as it adds a watermark to the recorded video in its free version. You have to purchase its premium plan to remove the watermark. Coming to its features, the app is a good combination of screen recorder and video editor. You can record your screen easily from its floating widget.

You can also add intro and outro to your recorded video as well as add background music. Besides, you can perform basic video editing. Most importantly, you can capture your screen at 2K resolution. Besides, the app allows recording through the front camera of your phone in an overlay window.

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5. ADV Screen Recorder

Support OS: Android

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blogspot.byterevapps.lollipopscreenrecorder&hl=en_IN&gl=US

ADV screen recorder is a full-fledged app for Android users to record their screen with full customizations. You can record your front and back camera along with the screen. It operates with two different engines where the default engine has all the basic features and the advanced engine has the features for advanced users.

The app also lets you edit your recorded video and you can add texts and banners. Besides, you can draw on the video in real-time as well as trim the video as per your preference. There is also an option to pause the recording at your convenience. You can also customize the video recording parameters as required.

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6. Record it!

Support OS: iOS

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Download Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/record-it-screen-recorder/id1245356545

Record it! app is extremely useful in making tutorial videos where you need to record your screen. You can record the entire screen with a single tap. You can record gameplay and app screen along with your reaction through facecam. You can also customize the overlay window by changing its shape and position.

Besides, you can record your audio commentary while recording screen. It comes with video editing options to trim videos, add filters, change speed, rotate videos and much more. You can share your videos directly to YouTube as well as export through email and AirDrop. The user interface is quite intuitive and appealing.

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Part 7: How to Choose the Right Screen Recorder?

Here are the main parameters you need to keep in mind while choosing the best screen recorder for you.

1. Recording options: An ideal screen recorder should have all the different options for recording your screen, webcam, system audio, and external audio from microphone. Besides, it should offer you the option to customize the recording area by selection. You should be able to record full screen, application window, and browser tab accurately.

2. Price: If you are serious about recording your screen video and uploading the recorded video on online platforms, you have to opt for a premium screen recorder. While purchasing a proprietary screen recorder, you need to compare the software price with its peers and ensure that you are getting more features for the price you are paying.

3. Customer support: You need to ensure that the screen recorder you are purchasing, they have a highly responsive customer support. This is a highly neglected factor but users suffer a lot when the customer support team is not responsive. Be sure that you will need to contact the customer support team at some time to learn more about certain features and troubleshoot in emergency situations.

4. Sharing options: When your ultimate goal is to share your recorded video online, you should check for the sharing options available in the screen recorder. There are screen recorders that allow sharing recorded and edited videos on online platforms, cloud storage platforms, and video streaming platforms. It should also offer you options to let you export videos in different file formats.

5. Video editing tools: You have to edit your recorded video to trim out unnecessary parts and add effects and filters to enhance your video content and video quality. Besides, you may need options to add music and voiceover as well as intro and outro. That is why you should opt for a screen recorder where a great video editor is available.

6. Customer Reviews: Last but most importantly, you should check the customer review of the screen recording software. Even when a screen recorder has loads of features, if the customer reviews are not good enough, you should not choose you. Besides, the customer reviews reveal the pros and cons of a screen recorder for your better understanding.

Part 8: Screen Recording Tips and Tricks

1. Practice before recording: Unless you are a pro, you should practice at least once before the actual recording. This will help you to execute your plan according to your script smoothly when you actually start recording. Besides, you can check if the frame, the camera, the mic, and everything else are working perfectly.

2. Only record the required screen: Screen recorders offer you the option to record the entire screen, any specific application window or any specific tab of your browser. In fact, you can even customize the screen recording area as per your requirements for better focus and better visual experience.

3. Keep it short: It is always necessary to keep the length of the video as short as possible without skipping the relevant points and important explanations. That is where a proper script before recording is crucial so that you can have a plan and execute it properly without stretching your explanation unnecessarily.

4. Speak slowly and clearly: The way you speak in the video can attract as well as repel audiences. If you speak too fast and if you have a weird accent, it is going to repel audiences. That is why it is important for you to speak slowly and clearly so that everyone can understand everything you speak and negate your accent to a greater extent.

5. Use screen drawing tools: If you are recording a video where you need to explain something, it is always better if you use screen drawing tools. In fact, it is important that you choose the screen recorder that offers drawing tools so that the video gets visually pleasing and impactful for audiences to understand effectively.

6. Cut out dead moments: When you are recording screen videos, there are going to be a lot of dead moments and boring pauses. You have to cut out those boring and dead moments while editing so that the video stays interesting and the audiences do not lose concentration. This will also help to tighten the length of the video.

7. End with a summary: Last but most importantly, you should offer a proper conclusion before ending the video. You need to summarize everything you have discussed in the video so that the audience can get a revision of all the important points. Besides, a proper ending rather than an abrupt ending can leave a positive impact regarding your video.

Part 9: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I record Windows 10 screen?

You can use Windows Game Bar that comes pre-installed on Windows 10. However, for a better screen recording experience, we recommend Wondershare Filmora where you can edit the recording as well.

Can I screen record on my Mac?

You can use QuickTime that comes pre-installed on Mac. However, for professional screen recording experience, you can use Filmora or Camtasia where you will get more recording  options and tools for editing after recording.

How do I screen record on my iPhone?

You can use DU Recorder app or Record it! app to record your iPhone screen video. Besides, the latest version of iOS comes with an in-built screen recorder option that can record the screen comfortably.

Which quality is best for screen recording?

The best quality for screen recording should be the same resolution as the screen. This means if you have a 4K monitor, the screen recording will be best at 4K resolution. In today's scenario, 1080p or full HD is the optimal quality for screen recording.

What do most YouTubers use to record their screen?

Most YouTubers use Filmora or OBS Studio to record their screen. OBS Studio is mostly used by those who livestream their screen or gameplay. Filmora is mostly used by those who emphasize heavily on editing their recorded screen video for better output.

Does screen record ruin quality?

Your screen record quality can get ruined only when you use a screen recorder that records at a lower resolution due to its inability as well as to reduce file size. When you record your screen with a proprietary screen recorder, it can record the screen at exactly the same resolution as that of your screen. Hence, the video quality and resolution will stay intact.

What do gamers record their screens?

Gamers prefer Bandicam, Camtasia as well as Filmora to record their screens and showcase their gameplay to the world. Bandicam allows recording 2D and 3D games from gaming consoles at 4K resolution.

How do I make my recorded sound clear?

There are some screen recorders such as Filmora that offer you the option to remove background noise so that the recorded audio sound clearer. You can also use a pop filter to record clearer sound.