How to Capture Live Streaming Videos?

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How to Capture Live Streaming Videos?

6 November 2019 Amanda J. Brook Senior Product Manager

Summary
Usually, we watch streaming videos online. What is streaming video? How about live streaming video? Where can we get resources of streaming videos? How can we record and save streaming videos from the online websites to the local? When network interruption stops recording a video being played, how can we trim off the useless part? In this essay, we will answer all of your questions!

About Live Streaming Video

1. Overview of Streaming Media

Streaming media refers to a media format used for online transmission. “Streaming” is the process of delivering or obtaining media in this manner. Hence, it is a transmission way, not a new kind of media but part of multimedia.

Media suppliers wrap contents (i.e. videos and audios) into a data package and upload to the Internet. Then, users can keep receiving the data while it is being played. Unlike non-streaming media, streaming videos can be viewed even though it is not downloaded completely.

Streaming media is divided into live streaming media and on-demand streaming media. With the application of streaming media, people can use the vocal input devices to chat online, make video calls and view our favorite videos directly. What’s more, this technology is widely used in live videos, on-demand videos, distance education and real-time video meetings.

2. Live Streaming Media

As streaming media is growing, more and more sectors are trying to apply streaming media to live videos on their online websites and Apps. Live streaming transfer refers to matching media signal bandwidth with network, which ensures live streaming videos can be visible. It is usually applied to sport events, education, games and news.

the platform of displaying live streaming videos

Live streaming media is different from on-demand streaming media. Live video is suitable for real-time delivery while on-demand streaming videos can be rewound and forwarded. Basically, if you want to make live videos, you should apply for a specific streaming media sever and obtain the transfer protocols. HTTP protocols are prepared for on-demand streaming media; RTMP and HLS protocols are used for live streaming media.

RTMP

RTMP is the protocol developed by Adobe for streaming audios, videos and the other data in the real time between a Flash/AIR player and a server. It dominates in the real-time streaming media protocols. With well support for CDN, it can be used easily and be accepted by most of live streaming media platforms. Although Flash-based RTMP cannot be played in iOS, it has real-time capability better than HLS.

HLS

HLS is an HTTP-based streaming media protocol implemented by Apple Inc. It is applied to live streams and on-demand videos. Besides, iOS and Android support the protocol. Commonly, HLS on-demand video is indicated to HTTP on-demand segment. Unlike HTTP, the size of a HLS segment is very small. A HLS live streaming video can be divided into each segment at 5-10 seconds and then manage the segments with the m3u8 index table. Therefore, the HLS live streaming videos can run fluently. However, that feature also causes higher latency than the other common streaming media.

Streaming Video Websites

Currently, streaming media have been widespread. As most of network traffic direct to streaming videos, many video websites emerge. We can get lost of multimedia contents from these websites. Next, we will list some hot video websites for you.

1. YouTube

Established in February 2005, YouTube is the largest video sharing website in America and one of the hottest streaming video websites in the world. YouTube users can get the latest news, music, films, documentaries, records, funny videos and so on. Besides, users can follow live videos, such as matches, games and news.

how to edit youtube video with a movie maker

2. Dailymotion

Dailymotion, founded in March 2005, is a video sharing website in French, welcomed in Europe. It provides a great number of HD videos and allows users to upload and share videos. According to Comscore, it is estimated that Dailymotion is the second largest video sharing videos only to YouTube in the world.

3. Youku

Youku, built in June 2006, is one of the largest multimedia websites in China. This website supports three terminals, namely PC, television and mobile device. Abundant contents are contained in this web, including TV series, films, animation, news, documentary, sports, music and games. It also covers multiple types, such as authorized videos, co-produced programs, self-produced videos and live channels.

4. Vimeo

Developed in November 2004, Vimeo is an American video sharing website specializing in HD videos. It welcomes users to upload original videos and strives to share HD videos. It also believes that videos are beneficial to social communications and should be a carrier of services. Importantly, it has no limit on format conversion and allows users to download the source files.

vimeo has joined into the family of live streams

5. Hulu

Hulu is also a hot video website in America, built in March 2007. The website offers lots of authorized TV programs, films, music and the other videos with high quality. It also encourages users to share and view their favorite videos.

Of course, there are many other excellent video websites. We will not list them one by one.

Why is it so hard to Capture Live Streaming Videos on Time?

Through live streaming videos, we can obtain the real-time videos and audios, such as TV programs, classes and game events. Yet, to review these live streaming videos offline, sometimes we want to capture and save them to the local disk.

Since most of live videos don’t contain the local caches or the caches have been encrypted, we are unable to download the live videos. Or, if we don’t sit in front of the computer all the time, we will miss the live show. That being said, it is so hard to capture live streaming videos on time.

At this situation, how to capture the complete videos? In the followings, we show you how to capture live streaming videos on computer and mobile phone.

How to Capture Live Streaming Videos on Computer?

1. Screen Recorder on Renee Video Editor Pro (Win)

Renee Video Editor Pro is professional software for video editing. Users can cut videos, merge multiple videos into one, convert formats, rotate screen and add special effects. What’s more, it supports to record computer screen and webcam. You can use it to record the video that being played and the steps of operating a computer.

Renee Video Editor Pro – Multi-function Video Editing Software

Renee Video Editor Pro professional video edit tools

Screen RecordingRecord screen and webcam in Windows computer.

Cut Videos & AudiosUsers are free to cut videos and audios clips with setting start and end time.

Multiple Edit ToolsMerge, crop, rotate, cut and transform video easily. Change and add background music, subtitles and remove watermark from video.

Format ConversionSupport to convert videos and audios into different formats.

Screen Recording Record screen and webcam in Windows computer.

Multiple Edit ToolsCut Videos & Audios Users are free to cut videos and audios clips with setting start and end time.

Multiple Edit ToolsMerge, crop, rotate, cut and transform video easily. Change and add background music, subtitles and remove watermark from video.

Format ConversionSupport to convert videos and audios into different formats.

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3000 users have downloaded and edited videos with fun!

Steps:

① Download and install Renee Video Editor Pro and then enter into [Screen Recorder].

online video to mp4 select screen recorder function

② Click the settings button at the right bottom. In Settings, select the options in [Format], [Quality], [Resolution], [FPS] and [Folder].

③ Go to the target live channel; back to the software and select [User-Defined] in [Target].

select user defined in renee screen recorder

④ Next, drag the box to select the record range. After that, click [Record].

⑤ Click the square button to stop recording and save the record.

click to stop or pause recording in renee screen recorder

Renee Video Editor Pro supports auto recording, too. Users can set the auto recording schedule. As the time comes, the software will open the target YouTube video and record the video by itself. If you cannot catch up the live video or sit in front of the computer, try to follow these steps to capture the streaming video:

① Click the button [Auto] to open Auto Record Settings.

click the auto button to set the auto screen recording

② Set the specific time and the target URL.

③ Also, set to stop recoding by time length. Then, check the option [Exit program after record completes].

④ Finally, set the output folder and check [Enable New Plan 01]. Click [OK] to enable the auto record schedule.

⑤ As we’ve mentioned above, the software will automatically capture the live streaming video, save the record and exit after it completes the task.

2. BB FlashBack Express (Win)

BB FlashBack Express is a free screen recorder. Users have three options to select the record area, full screen, region or window. As the record is finished, it requires users that the file should be saved as FBR and then be output as AVI or WMV. Besides, it only supports recording. If you need to further edit the record, you should pay for the full version.

capture live streaming video with bb flashback express

3. CamStudio (Win)

CamStudio is the software for recording computer screen. The software can capture the computer screen, including the course of the operations. If you want to show your operational steps and make some tutorials, this software is simple and convenient. Yet, the records are only saved as AVI.

use camstudio alternative fraps to record screen

4. OBS (Mac)

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is free, open-source software for Mac users to record videos. It seems that the interface is very simple, but the functions are various. Users can capture videos, texts and images for both of common videos and live streams. MP4 and FLV are the supported output formats.

use open broadcaster software to record screen on mac

5. Online Recorder: AceThinker (Win & Mac)

AceThinker is an online screen recorder. It allows users to capture the specific screen area or the full screen and record sounds from computer and microphone. What’s more, it can capture audios and videos from webcam. AVI, MOV, FLV and MP4 are available output formats. That ensures that the records can be played on different devices and shared to other people.

How to Capture Live Streaming Videos on Phone?

1. Built-in Screen Recording Function in iOS 11 or Above

In iOS 11 and the latter versions, the Apple team has added a new function “Screen Recording”. Apple users can use the function to capture the screen and the sounds, free from installation of the third-party recording apps.

Steps:

① First, go to [Settings] > [Control Center] > [Customize Controls]. Then, tap the button [+] aside Screen Recording.

② Expand Control Center and tap the dot to begin recording. During the 3-second countdown, open the live streaming video and wait for recording.

2. Screen Recorder (Android)

Screen Recorder is a screen recording app for Android users. It can record the dynamic phone screen and save the records as MP4. Besides, users can select to record videos or audio-free videos. Video resolution, bit rate, FPS, vertical frame (for recording vertical videos) and the other parameters can be adjusted.

use screen recorder to cpature live streaming videos in android

If you want to download the non-real-time videos online, please refer to this article “Save Youtube to MP4″.

How If Network Interruption Occurs When Live Streaming Video is being Recorded?

Once we meet with network interruption, we will record some useless parts. How can we cut off these parts?

1. Cut with Renee Video Editor Pro

Renee Video Editor Pro is multifunctional software for video editing. It supports users to record computer screen, cut videos, crop video area, merge multiple videos, add various effects and remove original watermarks.