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Segra offers three powerful recording modes to match your workflow: Full Session, Replay Buffer, and Hybrid. Each mode is optimized for different use cases.

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Recording Modes

You can select your recording mode in Settings > Capture Mode. The mode cannot be changed while a recording is active.
Hybrid mode is the default and recommended setting for most users. It combines the best of both worlds.
Hybrid mode records your full gaming session while simultaneously maintaining a replay buffer. This means you can:
  • Save instant replays with a hotkey (default: F10) without interrupting your session
  • Access full game integration features for supported games
  • Create AI-generated highlights from your full session
  • Add manual bookmarks during gameplay (default: F8)
  • Review the complete session after your game ends
Use Hybrid when: You want the flexibility to save both short highlight moments and review your full session later.

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Session Recording

Session mode records your entire gaming session from the moment you launch a game until you close it. Features:
  • Full session video files saved automatically
  • Game integration support (Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, PUBG, Rocket League)
  • AI-powered highlight detection
  • Bookmark system with manual and automatic markers
  • Complete timeline for review and clipping
Storage: Uses more storage space since entire sessions are saved. You can manage this in Settings > Storage. Use Session when: You’re a content creator who needs complete gameplay recordings for editing or review.

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Replay Buffer

Replay Buffer continuously records gameplay in the background but only saves clips when you press a hotkey. How it works:
  • Segra records a rolling buffer (default: 30 seconds)
  • Press the save hotkey (F10) to save the last 30 seconds
  • Only saved clips are written to disk
  • The buffer resets after each save
Features:
  • Minimal storage footprint - only saves what you want
  • Perfect for capturing highlight moments
  • Quick saves without interrupting gameplay
Limitations:
  • No game integration features
  • No automatic bookmarks
  • No AI highlight generation
  • Cannot review full sessions
Use Replay Buffer when: You only want to save specific moments and don’t need full session recordings.

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How Recording Works

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Automatic Game Detection

Segra automatically detects when you launch a supported game:
  1. Game Detection Service monitors running processes
  2. When a whitelisted game launches, Segra enters Pre-Recording state
  3. The game window is verified and capture hooks are prepared
  4. Recording starts automatically using Game Capture technology
You can customize which games trigger automatic recording in Settings > Game Detection. Add games to the whitelist or blacklist as needed.

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Capture Methods

Segra uses two capture methods:

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Game Capture (Primary)

Game Capture hooks directly into your game for optimal performance:
  • Zero performance impact - runs at native game FPS
  • Only captures the game - overlays and desktop are excluded
  • Automatic window tracking - follows the game even if you alt-tab
If game capture fails to hook within 90 seconds, Segra automatically falls back to Display Capture.

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Display Capture (Fallback)

Display Capture records your entire monitor:
  • Works with all games including anti-cheat protected titles
  • Captures overlays like Discord, browser tabs, etc.
  • Configurable capture method - choose between DXGI and Windows Graphics Capture in Settings > Advanced

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Manual Recording

You can also start recordings manually from the home screen:
1

Click the Record button

Click the record button in the Segra interface.
2

Segra starts recording

Segra will use Display Capture to record your selected monitor.
3

Click Stop when done

Click the stop button to end the recording and save the file.
Manual recordings always use Display Capture and are saved as Session recordings (unless you’re in Buffer mode).

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Video Quality Settings

Configure your recording quality in Settings > Video:

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Resolution

  • 4K (3840x2160)
  • 1440p (2560x1440)
  • 1080p (1920x1080)
  • 720p (1280x720)
Segra automatically detects your monitor resolution and suggests an optimal setting.

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Frame Rate

  • 30 FPS
  • 60 FPS (default)
  • 120 FPS
  • 144 FPS
  • 240 FPS

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Encoder

Choose between GPU (hardware-accelerated) or CPU (software) encoding: GPU Encoding (Recommended):
  • NVIDIA NVENC (H.264/H.265/AV1)
  • AMD AMF (H.264/H.265/AV1)
  • Intel QuickSync (H.264/H.265/AV1)
CPU Encoding:
  • x264 (H.264)
  • x265 (H.265)
GPU encoding provides better performance with minimal impact on game FPS. Segra automatically detects your GPU and selects the best encoder.

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Rate Control

Segra supports multiple rate control methods:
  • VBR (Variable Bitrate) - Recommended. Balances quality and file size
  • CBR (Constant Bitrate) - Consistent file size, good for streaming workflows
  • CQP (Constant Quantization Parameter) - Hardware encoder constant quality mode
  • CRF (Constant Rate Factor) - Software encoder constant quality mode

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Audio Recording

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Audio Sources

Configure audio in Settings > Audio Devices:
  • Microphone - Add multiple input devices with individual volume controls
  • Desktop Audio - System sounds and application audio
  • Game Audio - Isolated game audio (requires game capture hook)
  • Discord - Separate Discord audio track (Hybrid/Session modes only)

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Separate Audio Tracks

Enable Separate Audio Tracks in Settings > Audio to record each audio source on its own track. Perfect for editing in DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or other NLEs.
When enabled, Segra creates:
  • Track 1: Full Mix (all audio sources combined)
  • Track 2-6: Individual audio sources (microphone, desktop, game, Discord)
This allows you to adjust or remove specific audio sources during editing without affecting others.

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Audio Output Modes

Choose how desktop audio is captured:
  • All - Records all system audio
  • Game Only - Only captures the hooked game’s audio (requires game capture)
  • Game + Discord - Captures game and Discord on separate tracks

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Storage Management

Segra automatically manages your storage:
  • Set a storage limit in Settings > Storage
  • Oldest content is automatically deleted when the limit is reached
  • Session recordings are organized by game name
  • Buffers and clips are stored in separate folders
If you enable Discard sessions without bookmarks, Segra will automatically delete session recordings that have no manual bookmarks when the recording stops. This helps save storage for games where you didn’t capture anything interesting.

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File Organization

Recordings are automatically organized in your content folder: 
Segra/
├── Sessions/
│   ├── Counter-Strike 2/
│   ├── League of Legends/
│   └── Valorant/
├── Buffers/
│   └── [Game Name]/
├── Clips/
│   └── [Game Name]/
└── Highlights/
    └── [Game Name]/
Each recording includes:
  • Video file (.mp4)
  • Metadata (game name, bookmarks, duration)
  • Thumbnail (auto-generated from first frame)
  • Waveform (audio visualization for timeline)

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Keybindings

Default keybindings for recording:
  • F8 - Create bookmark (Session/Hybrid modes)
  • F10 - Save replay buffer (Buffer/Hybrid modes)
Customize these in Settings > Keybindings.

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Troubleshooting

  • Check if the game is in your whitelist (Settings > Game Detection)
  • Verify the game isn’t in the blacklist
  • Try starting a manual recording to test your capture setup
  • Check the logs for errors related to game detection
  • Some games with anti-cheat may block game capture
  • Segra will automatically fall back to Display Capture after 90 seconds
  • You can manually select Display Capture in Settings > Advanced
  • Ensure the game is running in fullscreen or borderless windowed mode
  • Switch to GPU encoding if using CPU (Settings > Video)
  • Lower your recording resolution or frame rate
  • Increase the bitrate if quality is poor
  • Close other heavy applications while recording
  • Check that your audio devices are selected in Settings > Audio Devices
  • Verify volume levels aren’t set to 0
  • Test with a manual recording to isolate the issue
  • Try switching between “All” and “Game Only” audio modes