> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.segra.tv/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Recording

> Learn how Segra's recording modes work and how to capture your gameplay

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

## Recording Modes

You can select your recording mode in **Settings > Capture Mode**. The mode cannot be changed while a recording is active.

### Hybrid Mode (Recommended)

<Info>
  Hybrid mode is the default and recommended setting for most users. It combines the best of both worlds.
</Info>

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.

### 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, Dota 2, Grand Theft Auto, League of Legends, Minecraft, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Rocket League, RuneScape: Dragonwilds, Rust, and War Thunder)
* Automatic highlight generation from game-event bookmarks
* 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.

### 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.

## How Recording Works

### 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

<Tip>
  You can customize which games trigger automatic recording in **Settings > Game Detection**. Add games to the whitelist or blacklist as needed.
</Tip>

### Capture Methods

Segra uses two capture methods:

#### 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

<Note>
  If game capture fails to hook within 90 seconds, Segra automatically falls back to Display Capture.
</Note>

#### 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**

### Manual Recording

You can also start recordings manually from the home screen:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click the Record button">
    Click the record button in the Segra interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Segra starts recording">
    Segra will use Display Capture to record your selected monitor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Stop when done">
    Click the stop button to end the recording and save the file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Manual recordings always use Display Capture and are saved as Session recordings (unless you're in Buffer mode).

## Video Quality Settings

Configure your recording quality in **Settings > Video**:

### Resolution

* **4K** (3840x2160)
* **1440p** (2560x1440)
* **1080p** (1920x1080)
* **720p** (1280x720)

Segra automatically detects your monitor resolution and suggests an optimal setting.

### Frame Rate

* 24 FPS
* 30 FPS
* 60 FPS (default)
* 120 FPS
* 144 FPS

### 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)

<Tip>
  GPU encoding provides better performance with minimal impact on game FPS. Segra automatically detects your GPU and selects the best encoder.
</Tip>

### 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

## Audio Recording

### 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)
* **Voice Chat** - Separate voice-chat audio track (Discord, TeamSpeak 3, TeamSpeak 5) when **Audio Output Mode** is set to `Game + Voice Chat Audio Only`

### Separate Audio Tracks

<Tip>
  Enable **Separate Audio Tracks** in **Settings > Audio Devices** to record each audio source on its own track. Perfect for editing in DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or other NLEs.
</Tip>

When enabled, Segra creates:

* **Track 1:** Full Mix (all audio sources combined)
* **Tracks 2-6:** Up to 5 individual audio sources, in the order they are configured (inputs first, then outputs)

This allows you to adjust or remove specific audio sources during editing without affecting others.

### Audio Output Modes

Choose how desktop audio is captured:

* **All PC Audio** - Records all system audio
* **Game Audio Only** - Only captures the hooked game's audio (requires game capture)
* **Game + Voice Chat Audio Only** - Captures game audio and a shared voice-chat track (Discord, TeamSpeak 3, TeamSpeak 5)

## 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

<Warning>
  If you enable **Discard Session Recordings Without Manual Bookmarks** (under **Settings > Preferences**), 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.
</Warning>

## File Organization

Recordings are automatically organized in your content folder:

```
Segra/
├── Full Sessions/
│   ├── Counter-Strike 2/
│   ├── League of Legends/
│   └── Valorant/
├── Replay 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)

## Keybindings

Default keybindings for recording:

* **F8** - Create bookmark (Session/Hybrid modes)
* **F9** - Toggle recording (start/stop a manual recording)
* **F10** - Save replay buffer (Buffer/Hybrid modes)
* **F11** - Toggle preview window

Customize these in **Settings > Keybindings**.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Recording won't start">
    * 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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Game capture not hooking">
    * 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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Poor recording performance">
    * 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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Audio not 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
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Features

* [Clipping](/features/clipping) - Create custom clips from your recordings
* [Highlights](/features/highlights) - Generate automatic highlight reels
* [Replay Buffer](/features/replay-buffer) - Save instant replays with a hotkey
* [Uploads](/features/uploads) - Share your clips online