Chromebooks have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer a lightweight, affordable, and user-friendly alternative to traditional laptops. However, one feature that has been lacking on Chromebooks is the ability to screen record with audio. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. In this article, we will explore the different methods for screen recording with audio on a Chromebook.
Method 1: Using the Built-in Screen Recorder
In 2020, Google introduced a built-in screen recorder to Chrome OS. This feature allows users to easily record their screen with audio. To access the screen recorder, follow these steps:
Enabling the Screen Recorder
To enable the screen recorder, you will need to be running Chrome OS 89 or later. If you are running an earlier version, you will need to update your Chromebook before proceeding.
To check your Chrome OS version, follow these steps:
- Click on the time in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Click on the “Settings” icon (represented by a gear).
- Scroll down to the “About Chrome OS” section.
- Click on the “Check for updates” button.
If an update is available, click on the “Restart to update” button to install the latest version of Chrome OS.
Accessing the Screen Recorder
Once you have updated your Chromebook, you can access the screen recorder by following these steps:
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Overview keys (Overview key is represented by a rectangle with two lines on either side).
- Click on the “Screen record” option.
- Select the type of screen recording you want to perform:
- Full screen: Records the entire screen.
- Partial screen: Allows you to select a specific area of the screen to record.
- Window: Records a specific window.
- Choose the audio input:
- Internal audio: Records the audio playing on your Chromebook.
- External audio: Records audio from an external source, such as a microphone.
- Click on the “Start recording” button.
Stopping the Screen Recording
To stop the screen recording, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Stop recording” button in the notification shade.
- The screen recording will be saved as a WebM file in the “Videos” folder.
Method 2: Using a Third-Party Extension
If you are running an earlier version of Chrome OS or prefer to use a third-party extension, there are several options available. One popular option is the Loom extension.
Installing the Loom Extension
To install the Loom extension, follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for “Loom” in the search bar.
- Click on the “Add to Chrome” button.
- Click on the “Add extension” button to confirm.
Using the Loom Extension
To use the Loom extension, follow these steps:
- Click on the Loom icon in the top right corner of the browser window.
- Click on the “Start recording” button.
- Select the type of screen recording you want to perform:
- Screen: Records the entire screen.
- Camera: Records video from your webcam.
- Screen and camera: Records both the screen and video from your webcam.
- Choose the audio input:
- Internal audio: Records the audio playing on your Chromebook.
- External audio: Records audio from an external source, such as a microphone.
- Click on the “Start recording” button.
Stopping the Screen Recording
To stop the screen recording, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Stop recording” button.
- The screen recording will be uploaded to your Loom account.
Method 3: Using a Third-Party App
If you prefer to use a third-party app, there are several options available. One popular option is the OBS Studio app.
Installing OBS Studio
To install OBS Studio, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for “OBS Studio” in the search bar.
- Click on the “Install” button.
- Click on the “Open” button to launch the app.
Using OBS Studio
To use OBS Studio, follow these steps:
- Click on the “+” button to add a new scene.
- Select the “Window Capture” option.
- Select the window you want to record.
- Click on the “Start recording” button.
Stopping the Screen Recording
To stop the screen recording, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Stop recording” button.
- The screen recording will be saved as a file on your Chromebook.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your screen recording experience:
Using a Microphone
If you want to record high-quality audio, consider using a microphone. There are several options available, including USB microphones and wireless microphones.
Recording in 4K
If you want to record in 4K, make sure your Chromebook is capable of handling 4K video. You will also need to use a third-party extension or app that supports 4K recording.
Editing Your Screen Recording
Once you have recorded your screen, you may want to edit the video. There are several video editing apps available for Chromebooks, including Adobe Premiere Rush and DaVinci Resolve.
Conclusion
Screen recording on a Chromebook is easier than ever. With the built-in screen recorder, third-party extensions, and third-party apps, you have several options to choose from. Whether you want to record a tutorial, a presentation, or a gameplay video, there is a method that will work for you.
What is screen recording on a Chromebook?
Screen recording on a Chromebook is a feature that allows users to capture and record the content displayed on their screen. This feature can be useful for creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing video calls. The screen recording feature on Chromebooks is built-in, making it easy to use without the need for third-party apps.
To access the screen recording feature on a Chromebook, users can press the Ctrl + Shift + Overview button (or Ctrl + Shift + F5) to open the Overview mode. From there, they can select the Screen record option to start recording their screen. The recording can be saved as a video file, which can be shared or edited later.
How do I record audio on a Chromebook?
Recording audio on a Chromebook is a straightforward process that can be done using the built-in screen recording feature. To record audio, users need to make sure that the microphone is enabled and selected as the audio source. This can be done by clicking on the microphone icon in the screen recording menu and selecting the desired audio source.
Once the audio source is selected, the screen recording feature will capture both the video and audio from the Chromebook’s screen. The recorded audio will be included in the video file, allowing users to capture high-quality audio along with the video. This feature is useful for creating video tutorials, recording video calls, or capturing audio from online meetings.
Can I record a specific area of the screen on a Chromebook?
Yes, it is possible to record a specific area of the screen on a Chromebook. When using the screen recording feature, users can select the area of the screen they want to record by dragging the crosshairs to the desired location. This allows users to focus on a specific part of the screen, such as a video or a game, and record only that area.
To record a specific area of the screen, users need to select the “Select area” option from the screen recording menu. They can then drag the crosshairs to the desired location and adjust the size of the recording area as needed. This feature is useful for creating tutorials or recording gameplay without capturing unnecessary parts of the screen.
How do I stop a screen recording on a Chromebook?
To stop a screen recording on a Chromebook, users can click on the “Stop” button in the screen recording menu. This will immediately stop the recording and save the video file to the Chromebook’s Files app. Alternatively, users can also press the Ctrl + Shift + Overview button (or Ctrl + Shift + F5) to open the Overview mode and select the “Stop” option from the screen recording menu.
Once the recording is stopped, the video file will be saved to the Chromebook’s Files app, where it can be accessed and shared later. Users can also edit the video file using the Chromebook’s built-in video editor or third-party apps.
Where are screen recordings saved on a Chromebook?
Screen recordings on a Chromebook are saved to the Files app, which is the default file manager on Chrome OS. The Files app can be accessed by clicking on the Files icon in the app launcher or by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + E keys. From there, users can find their screen recordings in the “Videos” folder.
Users can also change the default save location for screen recordings by going to the Chrome OS settings and selecting the “Files” option. From there, they can choose a different folder or location to save their screen recordings.
Can I edit screen recordings on a Chromebook?
Yes, it is possible to edit screen recordings on a Chromebook using the built-in video editor or third-party apps. The Chromebook’s built-in video editor allows users to trim, split, and merge video clips, as well as add text and images to the video.
To edit a screen recording on a Chromebook, users can open the Files app and select the video file they want to edit. They can then right-click on the file and select the “Edit” option to open the video editor. From there, they can use the various editing tools to trim, split, and merge the video clips, as well as add text and images.
Are there any limitations to screen recording on a Chromebook?
Yes, there are some limitations to screen recording on a Chromebook. One limitation is that the screen recording feature can only capture video and audio from the Chromebook’s screen, and not from external devices such as cameras or microphones. Additionally, the screen recording feature may not work with certain apps or websites that use DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection.
Another limitation is that the screen recording feature may not be able to capture video at high frame rates or resolutions, which can result in lower-quality video. However, the screen recording feature is still a useful tool for creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing video calls, and can be used in a variety of situations.