stream recorders vs. screen recorders question

[mulliganman]

I was wondering which of these two types of software are better for recording a video stream. I thought I had seen that a stream recorder is best if it's possible for what you want to record, but wanted to check here for verification.

Why I am confused is that most stream recording software solutions I have seen doesn't let you preset a recording resolution like screen recording software does.

Does the answer change if the screen recording software utilizes a lossless codecs like HuffyUV, Lagarith, etc. ? I've seen software like Bandicam and LiteCam HD can use some of these codecs.

But stream recorders I have seen like Audials Moviebox and WM Video Clone don't. I am just kind of confused here and hoping some folks would be willing to help try to answer some of these questions I have. If you do, I would be very grateful!

[Alex_ander]

Screen recording is always destructive towards the original streamed file which can be downloaded unmodified in most cases by stream recording software. With screen recording you intercept already decompressed stream, adjusted to timings of your PC display (often by frame dropping etc.), then compressed again with some codec (by using a lossless, codec you can improve only this part in the whole process). Also, there's no way to correct a real-time recording in case of temporary web traffic slowdown, etc. So the reason to use this process can only appear where stream recording methods fail.

[theewizard]

You can't change resolution of a "stream" you are "capturing" The transmitted data and saving it
If you want to change it recode after it is downloaded

I have found stream capturing to be a pita, too many different tools, too many different codings,

While stream recording is not always perfect, I have enhanced my results, by being meticulous
I do not expand the window, if the steam is 720*404, I record it that way, if it's 1280 or 1920 I record it that way,
So I get a pixel by pixel copy/recording, not an interpolated resized copy
If the web is busy and I get a pause, I keep recording, I can edit the pause later
I try do my recording when the connection and traffic are less busy, and pausing is less likely

[mulliganman]

You can't change resolution of a "stream" you are "capturing" The transmitted data and saving it
If you want to change it recode after it is downloaded

I have found stream capturing to be a pita, too many different tools, too many different codings,

While stream recording is not always perfect, I have enhanced my results, by being meticulous
I do not expand the window, if the steam is 720*404, I record it that way, if it's 1280 or 1920 I record it that way,
So I get a pixel by pixel copy/recording, not an interpolated resized copy
If the web is busy and I get a pause, I keep recording, I can edit the pause later
I try do my recording when the connection and traffic are less busy, and pausing is less likely

Do you know if you need to go full screen on stream recorders to get the best quality? Do you also know if WM Video Clone is considered a stream recorder or a screen recorder? If it is a stream recorder, how can I compare the recording quality of say it to one recorded using Audials?

I'm pretty intrigued by Audials as it detects and records streams than I have seen others not being able to do (i.e. WM Recorder 16)...

[mulliganman]

Screen recording is always destructive towards the original streamed file which can be downloaded unmodified in most cases by stream recording software. With screen recording you intercept already decompressed stream, adjusted to timings of your PC display (often by frame dropping etc.), then compressed again with some codec (by using a lossless, codec you can improve only this part in the whole process). Also, there's no way to correct a real-time recording in case of temporary web traffic slowdown, etc. So the reason to use this process can only appear where stream recording methods fail.

Does window size matter with stream recorders as far as quality goes when using saying Audials Moviebox? In other words, does displaying the stream in fullscreen for the recording improve quality any? Just wanting verification here because it seems screen recording you would likely want to do that.

[theewizard]

Your recording the stream..not the screen, changing the display size won't make any difference in the recording
Unless that triggers a change in the sent data stream, if it did that it would be change in the stream and it would likely stop recording and you would have to start over

Netflix Amazon and others usually offer sd or hd , you choose the one you want to watch, based on your internet speed and data

[jagabo]

Does window size matter with stream recorders as far as quality goes

Stream recording is basically a file copy from the host to your computer. So no, the window size doesn't matter in that case. You don't even have to watch what's downloading.

Window size does matter with screen recording. You may get the best result when the window size matches the frame size of the streamed video -- any scaling will create artifacts.

[mulliganman]

Thank you SO much to those who have responded in this thread. It has been extremely helpful.

I do have a couple of follow up questions I am hoping some others of you are willing to take time to weigh in on.

My first question is can anyone recommend something a stream recorder for recording live streams that does a great job? I am working my way through the ones listed here but so far I have only found Audials that can record from the site I need to record from. I would even be willing to look out something not listed here if it fits the bill and does a great job...

That brings me to my second question. Anyone out there with experience with Audials Moviebox 16 that can share their experiences?

[mulliganman]

I would really appreciate it if anyone could provide some input to my last questions. If you don't want to post in the thread feel free to send me a private message.

[theewizard]

when i do a screen recording i use VideoReplay
it is NOT free
have no experience with Audials MovieBox

[mulliganman]

when i do a screen recording i use VideoReplay
it is NOT free
have no experience with Audials MovieBox

I have no problem with paying for something. Thanks for sharing! I will take a look at it. Anyone have a stream recorder that works well for live streams? Hoping someone with experience with audials will also weigh in at some point

[mulliganman]

Regarding screen capture programs, if a screen recorder does not say it records in 720p, 1080p, etc. does that mean it is inferior quality to one that does do that? I am asking because I am looking at the Replay Video Capture/WM Capture softwares that do not advertise that but yet other screen capture software like Bandicam, LiteCam HD, Mirillis Action and others do advertise that. Just wondering if someone can supply some insight here...

[theewizard]

No....
That's advertising hype
What part of screen RECORDER..is it that you can't grasp
You record the window
If the window is 1920*768 our some other number
You record the window..it all depends on the stream being displayed
Why on earth would you worry about recording a 720*404 stream in 1080p, can't be done with out resizing window and having the pc graphics card change what is actually from the stream
I try to explain, but I'm not a teacher, I don't have the patience to rehash this over and over

[mulliganman]

No....
That's advertising hype
What part of screen RECORDER..is it that you can't grasp
You record the window
If the window is 1920*768 our some other number
You record the window..it all depends on the stream being displayed
Why on earth would you worry about recording a 720*404 stream in 1080p, can't be done with out resizing window and having the pc graphics card change what is actually from the stream
I try to explain, but I'm not a teacher, I don't have the patience to rehash this over and over

You know what. This line was plenty right here: That's advertising hype

I didn't post directly to you. You began a conversation via pm which I took part in for clarification. I am aware of what you said YOU do. Here in the thread: I asked WHY some of the screen recorders advertise the HD specifications and some don't because I wanted to hear from someone else. In addition, this is not a question about WHAT a screen recorder is either.

Regarding your own comments: I've read ELSEWHERE that you should maximize to full screen for screen recording (even though that isn't what I am asking about right now).

"I try to explain, but I'm not a teacher, I don't have the patience to rehash this over and over" : Then please do not (unless you read below and are willing to take a different approach).

I did not continue the pm conversation with you as I became put off by your tone (which you are repeating here). I appreciated your willingness to respond but I don't wish to continue any further discussions with you personally UNLESS you are willing to turn off the personal attacks....

[theewizard]

Sorry you are put off
I didn't notice anybody else helping after the first couple of responses
I did try to make it more understandable
Everything I said , you question me on, and made me say it again in different words
I guess I am not eloquent enough in my descriptions, since you didn't understand what I was saying

[mulliganman]

Sorry you are put off
I didn't notice anybody else helping after the first couple of responses
I did try to make it more understandable
Everything I said , you question me on, and made me say it again in different words
I guess I am not eloquent enough in my descriptions, since you didn't understand what I was saying

A lot of the questions via our pm conversation, I was just seeking clarification on. I thought I had a good understanding based on early thread responses but discovered I was using some of the terms incorrectly (through our conversation) so that re-added confusion. My questions were not meant to be taken as me questioning you as in why are you doing it this way. Just really trying to make sure I firmly understood everything.

As to why I asked about the recording resolutions today, I really just wanted to know why WM and Replay Capture would not advertise HD screen recording while others do. To me, it made it sound like they were inferior. But I guess it is just misleading advertising jargon from the other companies....

The questions about screen size when using a screen recorder were sincere. I had done tons of research and looking at different software before I ever posted anything here about. A lot of what I had seen said you should do it in full screen. So, I really thought that was the way it was supposed to be done for best results (and all the ones I had done trying out software have been done that way). But, I go looking at WM Capture and Replay Capture and they it isn't necessary to do full screen to get the best results. So far me that caused confusion again because of the conflicting nformation...