How To Capture a Streaming Video on Mac – Best Methods

You can capture a streaming video on a Mac computer in several ways. You can use professional live stream video capture software like Wondershare DemoCreator, an online recorder, a Chrome extension, the built-in Screenshot tool, or QuickTime Player.

Each method has advantages and disadvantages. We'll explain everything about using all these tools to record a streaming video on a Mac, including how to set up your Mac for live streaming recording.

How To Record a Streaming Video on Mac With DemoCreator

Wondershare DemoCreator is a professional, efficient, all-in-one screen recorder and audio/video editor. It's compatible with Mac and Windows computers, allowing users to create animated avatars, capture gameplay videos, record live streams for platforms like YouTube and Twitch, and more.

With DemoCreator, you can record streaming videos on a Mac with audio, whether you are doing the live stream yourself or watching a live stream of your idol, an influencer, or anyone else and want to record it for later viewing. You can also enhance your live stream recordings with audio and video effects, annotations, top-grade editing, auto subtitles, markup, and many more.

The best part about DemoCreator is that it allows you to capture streaming videos while multitasking, making it the best way to record streaming video on a Mac. It offers two recording methods. You can either record the screen area and capture any changes made to the window displayed on your screen, or you can choose the window recording mode, which records content within a specific window and remains unaffected by any changes made to other windows.

Recording a live stream on a Mac with DemoCreator is straightforward. Download and install the software on your Mac, then follow the steps below to capture a live stream recording:

1. Launch DemoCreator and navigate to the All-in-One Recorder.

   

2. Configure the recording preferences by selecting the live stream window under Capture Area and choosing your webcam, microphone, and system audio device.

   

3. Check the Edit Recordings option if you wish to edit your live stream after recording.
4. Click the red REC button to start recording the streaming video on your Mac.

   

5. You'll see the floating toolbar. Pause and resume anytime and click the Stop button to finish recording.

   

6. DemoCreator's Video Editor will launch. Edit your streaming recording and click Export save it or upload it to YouTube or Twitch in a preferred format.

   

How To Record a Streaming Video on Mac With QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is built-in macOS software. It has screen recording capabilities, letting you record streaming videos on a Mac for free. However, QuickTime Player cannot record system audio, which means you are unable to record the audio from other people's live streams. It can only record the sound from the microphone. You need to install plugins like Soundflower and BlackHole to help you record system audio on a Mac with Quicktime Player.

Here's how to record a live stream of yourself using QuickTime:

1. Launch QuickTime Player and click File > New Screen Recording.

   

2. Click the Chevron or Arrow icon (depending on the QuickTime Player version) to access audio settings.
3. Choose your microphone to capture your voice for live stream recording.

   

4. Click the red Record button to start and stop recording.
5. Go to File > Save and choose a location on your Mac.

How To Record a Streaming Video on a Mac With the Built-in Screenshot Tool

The built-in Screenshot Toolbar combines screen recording and screenshot capturing functions. It also lets you capture your streaming videos on your Mac without downloading and installing software. However, like QuickTime Player, it also cannot record the Mac computer audio.

Follow these steps to record a live stream on a Mac:

1. Press Shift + Command + 5 to launch the Screenshot Toolbar.

   

2. Click the Record the entire screen option to capture a full-screen live video and hit Record.

   

3. Click Record to start a live stream video on your Mac.
4. Click the Stop button to finish recording and save your video to your Mac desktop in the default MOV format.

How To Record a Streaming Video on Mac With an Online Recorder

If you don't want to install live stream recording software on your Mac, you can use an online live video recorder to capture streaming videos for free. Wondershare DemoAir (the browser-based version of DemoCreator) is your go-to solution for capturing live-stream videos online.

DemoAir is compatible with any device, including most web browsers. Besides recording live videos, it can capture webpage screenshots, create video presentations, record the screen on your Chrome web browser, etc.

Here's how to record a streaming video on Mac with Wondershare DemoAir:

1. Visit the Wondershare DemoAir Online Screen Recorder page.
2. Choose a recording mode: Screen Only, Webcam Only, Screen & Webcam, or Audio Only. Authorize DemoAir to use your camera and give microphone permission if you wish to add commentary during the live stream.
3. Choose your camera and microphone in the Recording Inputs section.
4. Open the desired live stream page in a new tab, select the area to share with DemoAir (the entire screen, a specific window, or a Chrome page), and click Start Recording to capture the live stream video.

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How To Record a Streaming Video on Mac With a Chrome Extension

Do you want to bypass downloading and installing software on your Mac or using an online recorder? Try a Mac-compatible Chrome extension. Wondershare DemoAir has one to meet your streaming video capture needs.

Here's how to record a streaming video on your Mac for free with the DemoAir Chrome Extension:

1. Open your Chrome browser, visit the Wondershare DemoAir, and choose the Screen Recorder for Chrome.
2. Click Add to Chrome to install the DemoAir Chrome extension.
3. Navigate to YouTube, Twitch, or another streaming platform, click the DemoAir extension in your browser, permit it to use your camera and microphone, and click Current Tab.
4. Specify your microphone and system audio device and click Start Recording.

   

5. Click the Stop button and finish recording.

   

Conclusion

These are the most effective, quickest ways to capture a streaming video on a Mac. If you want to capture a live stream of yourself for YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook, tools like the built-in Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player will do just fine.

However, you'll need professional software like Wondershare DemoCreator for more complex recording needs.

Each tool offers specific advantages to consider. For example, DemoCreator lets you capture 4K live videos with internal and external audio. On the other hand, the Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player can only capture live videos with microphone audio. Consider these upsides and downsides before selecting a live stream recorder for a Mac.