Learn how to record streaming videos for free on Windows PC, Mac, smart TV, phones, or even online in this article. Get the best streaming recorder to capture any content without a black screen.
Live streaming videos are almost everywhere on social media platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Facebook Live, etc. Learn how to record streaming video with a free screen recorder in this post for reliable solutions on Windows, Mac, smart TVs, mobile devices, and online.
For Windows users, there are various options. Here, the best free video recording software is introduced to you. It includes EaseUS RecExperts and VLC Media Player.
| Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 Best for: Windows users who want to record even DRM-protected streaming video without a time limit. TechRadar Rating: 4 out of 5 |
EaseUS RecExperts is one of the most popular streaming recorders that lets you screen record protected videos without black screen or DRM protection.
⭐Stunning features of this best streaming video recorder:
🚩Steps for how to record streaming videos on Windows PCs:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and select Full Screen as your recording mode. This ensures smooth capture of streaming movies, online shows, or live video content without missing any detail.
Step 2. Choose whether to record the Webcam, System Sound, or Microphone based on your needs. Then, open the major video sites or platforms you want to record from.
Step 3. If you experience a black screen when recording playback, enable the Black Screen Fix feature to ensure smooth video capture. Once it's turned on, the REC button will change to purple. Navigate back to your streaming video, then click the purple REC button to start capturing.
Step 4. After a 3-second countdown, the recording will begin. A floating taskbar will appear on your screen. Use the toolbar to Pause or Stop the recording anytime during playback.
Step 5. Once the recording ends, you'll be taken to the preview window. Here, you can watch, trim, or edit your captured video, ideal for reviewing recorded sessions, saving study notes, or creating commentary-based content.
| Compatibility: All WindowsOS versions Best for: Users who want an open-source tool to record and play DVDs and normal videos. G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 |
How can I record a streaming video on my computer (including the audio)?
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player, which helps play and convert media files on Windows and Mac. Besides, it is also streaming video capture software.
To capture an online show in this stream capturer, you are allowed to use a URL. When entering a network URL into its Network Protocol, it will record while synchronizing the live broadcast.
🚩Followed is a guide for capturing online streaming shows from YouTube with VLC Media Player:
Step 1. Launch VLC and open it. To record the show from social media platforms like YouTube, click "Open Network Stream" > "Network".
Step 2. A new window appears, and you need to paste a URL of the streaming show that you want to capture in the box and click "Play".
Step 3. Click the red button to start your capturing task. Once you want to stop it, click the same button again.
Step 4. Choose "Media" > "Open Recent Media". Here, you view the saved streaming video on your computer.
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For Mac users, there are also two helpful streaming show recorders. One is the default tool on macOS, and the other is a third-party program. The second one is more beneficial as it can deal with system sound on Mac.
| Compatibility: macOS versions X and above Best for: Mac users who want to record streaming videos without downloading third-party tools. Spiceworks Community Rating: 3 out of 5 |
This tool is a versatile program, as you can play different media files and achieve basic format conversions effortlessly.
Also, a fantastic function in QuickTime Player lets you capture screen with audio on Mac. The only limitation is that it cannot record internal audio Mac.
🚩Steps for saving a streaming video with QuickTime Player on Mac:
Step 1. Open the video that you like and perform QuickTime Player. Then click "File" > "New Screen Recording" and the screen recording controls will appear.
Step 2. Click on a triangle to bring up the options menu. From the drop-down menu, choose the "Built-in Microphone", and you also can choose the destination where your recorded video will be saved.
Step 3. To deal with your streaming show, click the red dot in the middle of the screen recording box. Besides, you can adjust the area that you want to capture.
Step 4. Once done, click the stop button. Next, click "File" > "Export" to save your recorded video.
| Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later Best for: Mac users who want to record streaming video with internal audio. TechRadar Rating: 4 out of 5 |
One helpful Mac screen recorder is introduced to you to better capture the screen and audio on Mac. EaseUS RecExperts for Mac is a lightweight streaming video recorder designed for everyday users.
When you plan to save a streaming video, you only need to select a suitable recording area and an appropriate audio source, and then start the task by clicking "REC". Meanwhile, there are more features you can explore.
⭐Key features of this streaming video capturer on Mac:
This rich-featured tool is appropriate for multiple occasions. Use it at work, for entertainment, or for your e-learning. In the free version, you don't need to register an account. Try it!
🚩How to capture streaming show from the Internet on Mac:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts. Choose a recording mode from "Full Screen" or "Region". To get a better experience, we suggest you choose recording the full screen.
Step 2. Mostly, you will need to record the system sound when recording a video. Just click on the speak sign to select it. You can also tick the "Record silently" function, so that the recording process will be muted without muting the recorded video.
Step 3. After these settings, you can press the red "REC" button to start recording. If you want to pause the recording, click on the white "Pause" button; to end the recording, click on the red "Stop" button.
Step 4. After recording, the recording list window will open. Here you can view, split, delete, manage your recorded videos.
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| Compatibility: smart TVs supporting DVR; Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 Best for: recording streaming videos from TVs for later offline watching |
Many users want to screen record Netflix, Peacock, and other streaming services to save shows, dramas, movies, and more videos to watch later.
Here are two options: a Smart TV with DVR and a PC screen recorder with HDMI capture card. Let's have a quick look.
🚩Steps for recording streaming videos from TV using a DVR:
Step 1. Ensure your Smart TV supports external DVR recording. Some TVs have built-in recording features (e.g., Samsung's "Timeshift" or LG's "PVR").
Step 2. Plug a USB flash drive or an external hard drive (HDD) into your TV's USB port.
Step 3. Navigate to the recording or PVR settings in your TV's menu.
Step 4. Play the streaming video and press the Record button (often on the remote). Some DVRs allow scheduled recordings.
Step 5. Access the recorded file through the TV's storage menu. (Some recordings may be encrypted and playable only on the same TV.)
🚩Steps for saving streaming content from TV using a PC screen recorder:
Step 1. Plug an HDMI cable from your Smart TV's HDMI Out port into the capture card, then connect the capture card to your PC via USB.
Step 2. Open a screen recording tool like EaseUS RecExperts. Set the input source as the HDMI capture card.
Step 3. Adjust recording settings and start recording.
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| Compatibility: iOS 11 or a later; Android 10 or a later Best for: mobile users who have enough storage space for video recording |
To do this task on your phone or tablet, you can choose the built-in screen recorder. The saving live-streaming show will be saved on the Photos or Gallery app automatically.
🚩Steps for how to record streaming video on iOS:
Step 1. Swipe down for iPhone X or above versions to access the Control Center. Tap the Screen Recording button (dot in a circle) to start recording.
Step 2. After a 3-second countdown, the recording will begin. Go to the streaming video you want to record quickly. The red dot on the upper float bar indicates the recording is initiated.
Step 3. Once done, tap the red status bar and select Stop.
Step 4. View or edit the video recording by going to the Photos app.
🚩Steps for how to record live streaming video on Android:
Step 1. Swipe down from the phone screen top to access Quick Settings.
Step 2. Locate the screen recorder or similar functions (which can vary depending on your device).
Step 3. Tap the recording icon, set up audio and video if prompted, and tap Start to begin recording.
Step 4. Go to the streaming video you want to record and let it play. When done, swipe to access the notification panel again and tap Stop.
Step 5. View the video recording by going to the Gallery or Photos app.
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| Compatibility: web browsers on a Windows, Mac, or mobile device Best for: Users who want to record online and have a steady internet connection. |
Video Grabber is an outstanding video streaming ripper. With its help, you can download streaming shows from nearly all the popular video hosting platforms, like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
The steps are easy, and you only need to copy the video's URL. This tool can analyze the link and download the related video. Even if it failed to download, a built-in tool would capture streaming video online.
🚩Using the streaming video downloader to capture videos:
Step 1. Copy the URL of the live streaming show that you want to save.
Step 2. Open Video Grabber, and paste the URL into the input box.
Step 3. Click "Download". Select the desired quality option and hit "Download" on the pop-up window.
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We have discussed several live streaming recorders to help record streaming videos on this page. For capturing videos on Windows and Mac, EaseUS RecExperts is your best choice.
You can capture any video and audio with it. Besides, it supports many formats, so you can play the recorded videos on most players and devices.
There are some related questions. If you want to learn more about it, go on reading!
1. How can I record streaming videos for free?
You can use a free screen and audio recorder for free.
2. Can I record streaming video on my computer?
Yes, you can record it on your computer with the screen recording software. You can deal with the screen, system sound, and an external voice like a microphone. Go to Part 1 for detailed information.
3. Can you record a streaming show?
Yes, you can do it on Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, or iPad with the streaming video capturing software.
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