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To record gameplay in XSplit Broadcaster, add the game to a scene, set up Local Recording Properties, then choose Record > Active Scene. Use Game Capture for compatible PC games; use screen or application capture if the game is not detected. Console gameplay needs a capture card to bring its video into the PC.
How do I record PC gameplay in XSplit?
- Add the game to a scene. Open Add Source and choose Game Capture. XSplit documents support for games using DirectX 9–12, Vulkan, or OpenGL, though compatibility can vary by title and configuration. Resize or position the source on the stage to compose the scene you want recorded.
- Use a fallback if capture does not work. Try Screen Capture for games such as browser games, or Application capture to capture a desktop window. These approaches capture the screen or window rather than relying on Game Capture.
- Check detection settings when relevant. If a DirectX 12 or Vulkan game is not detected, check whether those capture options are enabled at Tools > Settings > General. This does not guarantee every game or anti-cheat configuration will work with Game Capture.
- Set up local recording. In the Record menu, select the gear icon beside the target scene or Active Scene to open Local Recording Properties. Select the recording target, then choose the available video codec, quality and audio options.
- Record the scene shown in preview. Choose Record > Active Scene. XSplit records the active scene, so check the preview and source arrangement first. Use the same menu to pause or stop, and check the interface for recording status.
Which recording settings should I choose?
Codec and quality
XSplit lists software encoding with x264 and hardware encoding options that depend on installed hardware, including NVENC H.264, AMD VCE, Intel QuickSync and AVerMedia H.264. Its local-recording settings include presets from standard through ultra high, as well as custom quality. Higher quality can require more CPU or GPU resources; there is no single best preset without knowing the game, resolution, frame rate and available hardware headroom.
Audio and separate tracks
Choose the audio options in Local Recording Properties. XSplit documents multitrack recording for system sound, microphone and stream-only audio, which can preserve separate controls for editing. Assign the desired sources and tracks in the mixer, then make a short test recording to confirm which sounds are present and separated as intended.
Audio behavior can depend on capture mode and Broadcaster version. XSplit’s audio-mode example for Broadcaster 4.5 says Game Capture can capture only game audio even when it plays through the default system device. Check the behavior and track assignments in your installed version rather than assuming the desktop mix is being recorded.
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XSplit’s Record Menu documentation says audio bitrate choices begin at 96 kbps and that higher bitrates and stereo are license-gated to Premium Bundle/Broadcaster Premium. Licensing and labels may change, so check the current options shown in your installation.
File format and output options
XSplit documents FLV and MP4 output. For MP4, it offers splitting by duration or file size. Its Record Menu guide says Force constant framerate is enabled by default. The “Optimize for YouTube” option applies encoder settings; it is not a guarantee that a particular file will be accepted by YouTube or deliver ideal quality.
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How do I record console gameplay in XSplit?
XSplit requires a capture card to bring console video into Broadcaster. Connect the console and card according to the card maker’s supported inputs and modes, then in XSplit choose Add Source > Camera/Capture Card and select the device. The exact cabling, resolution and refresh-rate options depend on the console and capture card. A webcam is optional: add it as a camera/capture-card source and resize it in the scene if you want a face camera.
What about recording from a second PC?
For a two-PC setup, send video from the gaming computer to the computer running XSplit, typically through an internal or external capture card, then add that device under Add Source > Camera/Capture Card. The computer running Broadcaster still needs to meet its requirements. A second computer can separate gaming and production workloads, but the documented guidance does not establish a performance improvement for every setup.
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Where does XSplit save recordings?
Use File > My Recordings to open XSplit’s local files window and find saved captures. This in-app route is more dependable than assuming every installation uses the same filesystem location.
What does XSplit list as its system requirements?
XSplit’s published support listing specifies Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), at least a 2nd Generation Core i5 or equivalent, 8 GB RAM, and a GeForce/Radeon-class GPU supporting DirectX 10.1 or better. Its recording and streaming recommendations list a 4th Generation Core i5 for HD 720p and a 4th Generation Core i7 for HD 1080p. These are vendor specifications, not a guarantee for a particular game, scene complexity or recording configuration; check XSplit’s current requirements before installing.
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Troubleshooting common recording problems
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
| Game Capture does not detect the game | Try Screen Capture or Application capture. For a DirectX 12 or Vulkan game, check the relevant options at Tools > Settings > General. Compatibility is not guaranteed for every title or anti-cheat configuration. |
| Recording shows the wrong scene or layout | Review the active scene and preview before starting. Record > Active Scene records the active scene, so select and arrange the intended sources first. |
| Game or microphone audio is missing or mixed unexpectedly | Check source behavior for the capture mode and Broadcaster version, then verify mixer assignments and multitrack options in Local Recording Properties. Make a short test recording before a long session. |
| Recording quality causes performance strain | Try a less demanding quality setting or an available hardware encoder if your system supports one. Higher quality may increase CPU or GPU demand; XSplit’s listed choices are not ranked for every PC. |
| Console picture does not appear in XSplit | Confirm the capture card is connected and selected under Add Source > Camera/Capture Card, and that the console output mode is supported by the card. |
One legacy compatibility note: XSplit says USB 2.0 capture-device DXVA2 acceleration is available only in Broadcaster V4.1 or earlier. Do not treat it as a current-version fix.
Or let it run in the cloud
XSplit records gameplay on your PC. If your separate goal is to keep uploaded videos looping as a YouTube live stream, StreamNeo is a cloud service for that job: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free day.
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