VLC, short for VideoLan Client, is a powerful open-source and cross-platform media player. It helps users run videos and audios in almost all formats, and besides video and audio playback, VLC also offers an in-app screen/audio record feature.
However, the VLC recording feature is never easy to use, and multiple normal VLC users are confused about how exactly to use the VLC to record screen or audio.
To help those who do not know how to use VLC’s recording feature, today, I will walk you through the total process of using VLC to record screen or audio.
VLC screen/audio recording:
1. Record screen/audio with VLC
Step 1 Turn on Advanced Controls
First of all, you need to take control of your VLC.
Launch VLC on your PC, locate View on the menu bar and choose Advanced Controls.
Step 2 Set up for recording
On the VLC window, click the Play button to open a window where you can set up for the recording.
On the window, go to the Capture Device module, here, to record a video or audio from VLC, we need to choose DirectShow mode.
Then, decide the audio source for your file. On the Audio device name option, you may choose:
- Microphone: Record the sound coming from a plugin microphone.
- Mixed / Stereo Mixed: Record the internal sound playing on the computer.
Note: You cannot use VLC to record system sound and microphone sound simultaneously.
Next, click Play and choose Convert from the drop-down list.
On the Convert window, locate Profile, there, you can decide the format of your file.
- If you want to make a video file, you can choose Video – H264 + MP3 (MP4) and VLC will create an MP4 video.
- Or, you’re about to record an audio file, you can choose Audio – MP3 and VLC will give you an MP3 audio file.
Click Browse to select a folder to save the file, and name the file beforehand.
Now, everything is set, click Start to proceed.
Step 3 Start recording
On your VLC, play the movie or music you plan to record.
And click the Record button to start recording.
To stop the recording, click the Record button again. The file will be exported to the folder you set before.
2. Record screen with VLC
To record your desktop with VLC, follow these steps.
Step 1 Turn on Advanced Mode
On your VLC, locate View on the menu and choose Advanced Mode.
Step 2 Open Capture Device
Next, we need to locate the desktop capture feature.
Still, on your VLC, go to Media > Open Capture Device.
VLC will open a new window for you to set up the capture.
On the window, set the Capture mode to Desktop. And move down decide the frame rate of the output file first.
Note:
Technically, a video with a higher frame rate will be smoother but producing it will give an extra burden to your computer. If your computer is not that powerful to handle the high-frame-rate production, well, it will get laggy and even frozen.
All in all, if you have a very advanced computer and want a perfect video, you can set it as a 60 or higher value. Otherwise, a value between 30 to 60 will do for a rather low-end one.
Step 3 Start capturing your desktop
Click Play and VLC will display the whole screen on its interface.
Next, click Record to start capturing the desktop. You can minimize the VLC window and perform other activities.
Click the Record button again to stop the process and the file will be saved on a default folder. You can locate the file by going to This PC > Video.
Note:
- VLC will not catch your vocal through a microphone or the system sound playing on the speaker, you will have a completely silent output video.
- You can decide the format of the output file. On the Open Capture Device, open the Convert and locate the Profile option, select the format you desire.
Tip: Try Aiseesoft Screen Recorder to record video and audio
Aiseesoft Screen Recorder is a powerful screen and audio recorder with which you can record all your on-screen activities and all the sounds running on your computer.
Let’s find out some main features of Aiseesoft Screen Recorder:
- It supports to record the whole screen, a window/application, or a selected portion.
- You can use the program to record both microphone and system sound with one click.
- It offers multiple adjustable configurations, including format, fps, quality of the output.
- You can activate a recording with a keyboard shortcut without delay.
- The program provides editing and trimming tools for further creation.
- You will never find a watermark on the output file.
More are waiting for you to explore.
If you’re interested in the program, click the button to download it on your computer and record your screen for free.
Now, you know the additional recording features of VLC and how to use the player to record a video and audio file, try it and start making your file. Also, if you’re not satisfied with the effect of VLC, use Aiseesoft Screen Recorder.