how to record desktop with medal

3 min read 25-01-2025

Medal is a popular and easy-to-use screen recording software. It's perfect for capturing gameplay, tutorials, or anything else happening on your desktop. This guide will walk you through recording your desktop with Medal, covering various options and settings.

Getting Started with Medal Desktop Recording

Before you begin, make sure you have Medal downloaded and installed. It's available for free on their website. Once installed, launch the application.

1. Launching Medal and Accessing Recording Options

When Medal opens, you'll see its main interface. You may need to log in or create an account to utilize all its features. The key to starting a desktop recording is identifying the correct recording mode. Medal primarily focuses on game recording, but it also offers desktop capture functionality. Look for an option that explicitly mentions "desktop recording" or a similar phrase. It might be represented by an icon depicting a monitor or a desktop.

2. Selecting Your Recording Area

Medal might offer different recording area options:

Full Screen: Captures your entire screen. This is ideal for recording presentations or applications that need to fill the whole screen.
Windowed Application: Allows you to select a specific application window. Perfect for recording just a single game or program without capturing extraneous parts of your desktop.
Custom Region: Enables you to select a custom rectangular area on your screen. Use this if you only need to record a specific section.

Select the option that best suits your needs.

3. Adjusting Recording Settings (Optional)

Before starting your recording, review Medal's recording settings. These often include options to adjust:

Resolution: Choose a resolution that balances recording quality and file size. Higher resolutions create larger files.
Frame Rate (FPS): A higher frame rate (e.g., 60 FPS) results in smoother recordings but significantly increases file size. 30 FPS is often a good compromise.
Bitrate: This affects the video quality. A higher bitrate generally means better quality, but it also means a larger file size.

Experiment to find the best settings for your needs and hardware.

4. Initiating the Desktop Recording

Once your settings are adjusted, locate the button to start recording. This is usually prominently displayed on the main interface. Click or press the designated key (often a hotkey you can customize in Medal's settings). Medal will begin recording your desktop.

5. Ending the Recording

When you're finished recording, locate the stop recording button within Medal. The button's location might vary slightly depending on your Medal version. Once clicked, Medal will process and save your recording.

6. Accessing and Sharing Your Recording

After the recording is processed, Medal usually provides a way to access and manage your recordings. You can typically view, edit (depending on features), and share your recordings directly through the Medal application or via the upload features.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Medal Not Detecting Your Desktop: Ensure your graphics drivers are up-to-date. Restart your computer if problems persist.
Low Recording Quality: Check your recording settings, specifically resolution and bitrate. Ensure your internet connection is stable, as uploading high-quality recordings requires bandwidth.
Recording Lag: Close unnecessary applications running in the background to free up system resources. Lower the recording resolution or frame rate if lagging persists.

FAQs about Medal Desktop Recording

Q: Can I record audio with my desktop recording in Medal?

A: Yes, Medal usually includes the option to record your system's audio. Check the settings to enable this function.

Q: What file formats does Medal support for desktop recordings?

A: Medal typically uses common video formats, often MP4. Check the settings or the application's help section for specific details on the file formats.

Q: Is Medal free to use for desktop recording?

A: Medal offers a free version, but some advanced features might require a subscription or upgrade. Check their official website for pricing and features.

By following these steps, you can successfully record your desktop using Medal. Remember to experiment with the settings to find the optimal balance between video quality and file size. Happy recording!