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/
;)

From the beginning, it seems, graphics are unsuitable for solving the basic task of monitoring the state of an application ant its changes.

A software which it is interesting to survey in a way either has a logging functionality which serves the purpose or should have one. Increasing the technology-stack to do something as simple as that has been the trend for too long and it has driven us into a mess. I actively oppose the use of a screen recorder in this context.

Which brings us full circle with posts made half a year ago, eg in this thread:

This is not a basic task. And this is not a simple issue (as you can see). X - and I think it is valid on MS Windows too - will draw only what is really visible. Processing hidden windows costs a lot and has no any benefit - in general. This is a special case and most probably can [only] be solved by a second X server.
From the other hand X is not a monitoring software, so if you wish to monitor anything you need to look for something else. (X is a "simple" drawing app and has no any idea about the apps using it).

In my opinion, if an application needs monitoring, it should provide this very functionality. *My* software uses a logger, and I activate info-level messages by default, although there is usually nothing worth surveying.

However, the commercial software that I helped to either develop, test or document, wrote protocols either as an option or by default. This was one of the very first uses of XML that I remember. As the program in question could be extended with user-provided routines, most of the objects and components were prepared to dump their current state on request.

If none of this is provided, the developers did either not see the need, used different ways to keep a user informed or forgot something.

It would help to know why the OP wants to monitor application-windows and why a screen recorder should be the only feasible way to do it. Some answers are found in the old thread, referenced by ondoho.

Even for Windows this statement would be exaggerated.

It also does not take into account OP's specific needs.

A screen recorder that only captures a specific window might be difficult to find. Try Movavi Screen Recorder -- it's perfect for this. It is a powerful screen video and audio recording tool for Windows and Mac users. It can be used for screen recording, program usage, and video conferencing. You have the option to record the full screen, part of the screen, or a specific window

reported

OBS Studio for sure.

i have used it with win10 and linux.
its really nice program.