Is there a screen recorder that only grabs a specific window?
 

I like Simple Screen Recorder, but I need this feature that will make the recorder stay focused only on a specific application window while I Alt+Tab away from it and do other things.

Is there any screen recorder that can do that?

I believe that recordmydesktop has that capability.

Try OBS Studio. Last time I used it, OBS was able to record a designated window:

https://obsproject.com/

You may find this post useful: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...rs-4175687692/

Well, I tried Kazam, OBS, recordMyDesktop and VokoscreenNG. They all failed at the task.

Kazam: it won't run. It's a Python app, so I am not surprised.

OBS: it will run, but I can't find any options to record just a window. And it crashes every time I hit 'Record.'

recordMyDesktop and VokoscreenNG: these two applications have the option to "record a window," but what that really means to them is "record whatever area of the screen that is being taken by the chosen window right now." If you move that window around during the recording, the recording will remain stuck to that area. It won't follow the target window. Likewise, if I choose a window that is in full screen mode, the entire screen will be recorded and the recording will show me Alt+Tabbing to other windows rather than restrict itself to the target window.

Simple Screen Recorder does that too.

Looks like what I want is not possible.

But thanks for the help.

As lucmove explained
simple screen recorder it has been added to Slackware lineup. Well polished builds for your apt-get . https://github.com/MaartenBaert/ssr
If using dual monitors it has options to what one you want to record.

You could write yourself a script with slop (possibly packaged with maim) and ffmpeg.

That doesn't work for me. I need the full screen. I need to alt+tab at will and have the recorder ignore everything that happens on the screen except the target window.

First of all, that is contradicting both in itself and to your initial statement ("grab a specific window").
Secondly, I don't see why that script should interfere. It could run completely "invisible".

It's not contradictory. I was very clear about it: "make the recorder stay focused only on a specific application window while I Alt+Tab away from it and do other things."

Oh, I see.
So you don't want to record the screen itself but instead the contents of a specific window.
I'm not sure it's possible; some random blog article claims that Kazam can: "Support for recording a single window or selected screen area"
Whether that actually works - well, you should test it.
FWIW, this sounds like a similar problem here on LQ which turned out to be a gigantic XY problem in the end.
Question is: Why do you want to do that?

I think only the visible area is painted, so if a window was hidden X will silently skip it and will not draw it at all. Screen recorders will record the specified area of the screen, and have no any idea about the focus.

If you are using dual screens / workspaces then put the window you want recorded on one screen and start recording. While that is happening use the other screen for the work you are doing that involves switching windows/etc. As long as the screen being recorded does not have another window in from of it the recorder should work as you want.

Can I ask what this widow is? Or what does this window do? Do you need to see the widow or some of the outputs that are happening in the window?

https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...op-4175679061/
;)