How to use the Bandicam app to capture screen and record games

September 4, 2021
How to use the Bandicam app to capture screen and record games

Bandicam is a functional program for creating screenshots or videos from the display, running on systems from Windows XP to Windows 10.

It will help you freely create video tutorials, record events on the screen, make streams from a webcam, and so on thanks to its rich functionality. Every user working with the application will like the high quality of the created video with the small size of the resulting file, which takes up little space on the hard disk.

How to use Bandicam

Even a person who first saw its window on the screen is able to quickly master the menu of this application. After all, the programmers from the Bandicam Company have developed the most intuitive interface with a small number of main tabs. The functions available in the program are discussed below.

Shooting video

When you start creating a video, you need to choose screen or game mode. The program can record a rectangular or the entire area of ​​the display, as well as the area near the mouse cursor. By pressing the key combination assigned to the command, the user will start the screen capture process. If it is necessary to leave on urgent matters, the recording is allowed to be paused, and on return to continue.

Bandicam also records video from the display until the time set on the timer expires, and then fulfills the condition specified in the options below. The settings used to shoot a video are selected according to the power of the computer and the quality requirements. So, to shoot without freezing on a weak machine in the format options, you need to select a frame rate of 30 units.

The codec is also selected according to the performance level of the computing device. For example, most video makers prefer to use Motion JPEG or H264. If necessary, in the “Video” section, you can activate the function of showing the mouse cursor, as well as showing the effects of pressing its key. In addition, there are tools for adding videos captured from a webcam and overlaying logos.

The latest version of the application is equipped with a “Recording from device” mode, which contains a list of supported webcams, smartphones, tablets, Xbox and other gadgets.

Gameplay recording

Bandicam is considered to be the perfect application for creating letsplay. The recording procedure does not reduce the level of computer performance, and correctly set options allow you to get a high-quality and non-hanging video. To record games you will need:

  • enter game mode;
  • click target window;
  • assign hotkeys.

When selecting the target window, the user must launch the captured application and click on the window so that the inscription with the name and extension of its executable file appears in the line under the horizontal menu. After exiting the game, this inscription will disappear. Now you need to turn on the sound, because Bandicam initially can only record video, for which:

  • The microphone icon is pressed in the horizontal panel.
  • The Sound tab opens in the recording settings window.
  • The audio output device (speakers) is selected.
  • The audio input device (microphone) is selected.
  • Move the sliders to adjust the volume level.

You can also force the program to make general soundtrack with the main device or assign button combinations to enable and disable sound recording. When all settings are complete, recording starts by pressing the hotkey or clicking the red circular Rec button. It is recommended to set the frame rate to 60 units.

Taking screenshots

Images in Bandicam are captured by pressing the camera icon or pressing the hot button while recording is active. In the options you can:

  • Set up autorepeat of screenshots after the time specified in the timer.
  • Tell the application to show or not show the mouse cursor.
  • Insert a logo previously drawn in a graphics editor.
  • Make a sound that simulates the release of a camera shutter.
  • Select the format in which the finished picture will be saved.

Uploading the finished file to an online resource

Created videos and screenshots are saved in the directory that the user selected in the main settings after the first launch of the program. In Bandicam, they can be found in the menu called “Home”. Its tools allow you to play, edit or upload videos to YouTube or other video hosting. Editing of files usually takes place in the Bandicut utility, which is downloaded and installed by clicking on the inscription in the left menu. In order for the footage to appear on the Internet, you must:

  • Select the video captured during screen capture.
  • Click the download button.
  • Choose a video hosting service, such as YouTube.
  • Add a description to the uploaded content.
  • Click the button that starts the download process.

Pros and cons

A huge number of functions laid down by developers command respect for a small program. After installation on your computer, it will allow you to:

  • Save video of gameplay highlights and online videos as avi or mp4 files.
  • Pause the recording procedure if you need to leave the computer for a while.
  • Apply the template set by the developers for YouTube in 720 / 1080p quality.
  • Configure audio and video codecs before compressing the resulting file.
  • Record desktop videos up to 3840×2160 pixels.
  • Automatically end recording if it takes too long.
  • Choose a microphone and the length and resolution of the finished video.
  • Create and then post-process screenshots.
  • Assign one of several effects and filters to frames.

We can talk about the positive sides of Bandicam for a long time. But it is recommended to check them personally by downloading the program from the official website of the developers and installing it on your computer. However, the application in question also has disadvantages, one of which is the need to purchase a license. After all, its free version imposes restrictions in the form of the ability to shoot only ten-minute videos with a watermark on the finished recording.