# Implementing Screen Recording to WMV in C# .NET Applications

Video Capture SDK .Net

# Video Tutorial Walkthrough

Watch our detailed video walkthrough that demonstrates each step of the implementation process:

# Source Code Repository

Access the complete source code for this tutorial on our GitHub repository:

Source code on GitHub

# Required Dependencies

Before you begin, ensure you have installed the necessary redistributable packages:

# Essential C# Implementation Code

The following code snippet demonstrates how to create a basic screen recording application that captures your screen to a WMV file:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using VisioForge.Core.VideoCapture;
using VisioForge.Core.Types;
using VisioForge.Core.Types.Output;
using VisioForge.Core.Types.VideoCapture;

namespace screen_capture_wmv
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {
        // Declare the main VideoCaptureCore object that will handle the screen recording
        private VideoCaptureCore videoCapture1;

        public Form1()
        {
            // Initialize form components (buttons, panels, etc.)
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // Initialize the VideoCaptureCore instance and associate it with the VideoView control
            // VideoView1 is a UI control where the screen capture preview will be displayed
            videoCapture1 = new VideoCaptureCore(VideoView1 as IVideoView);
        }

        private async void btStart_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // Configure screen capture to record the full screen
            videoCapture1.Screen_Capture_Source = new ScreenCaptureSourceSettings() { FullScreen = true };
            
            // Disable audio recording and playback
            videoCapture1.Audio_RecordAudio = videoCapture1.Audio_PlayAudio = false;
            
            // Set the output file path to the user's Videos folder
            videoCapture1.Output_Filename = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.MyVideos), "output.wmv");
            
            // Set the output format to WMV with default settings
            videoCapture1.Output_Format = new WMVOutput();
            
            // Set the capture mode to screen capture
            videoCapture1.Mode = VideoCaptureMode.ScreenCapture;
            
            // Start the screen capture process asynchronously
            await videoCapture1.StartAsync();
        }

        private async void btStop_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // Stop the screen capture process asynchronously
            await videoCapture1.StopAsync();
        }
    }
}

# Advanced Configuration Options

# Capturing Specific Screen Regions

If you need to record only a portion of the screen rather than the entire display:

// Define a specific rectangular region to capture (x, y, width, height)
videoCapture1.Screen_Capture_Source = new ScreenCaptureSourceSettings() { 
    FullScreen = false,
    Rectangle = new Rectangle(0, 0, 800, 600) 
};

# Common Implementation Scenarios

# Creating a Lightweight Recording Application

For scenarios where system resources are limited:

  1. Lower the capture frame rate
  2. Record to a more efficient codec
  3. Capture smaller screen regions
  4. Use hardware acceleration when available

# Implementing Background Recording

For applications that need to record in the background:

  1. Initialize the capture component in a separate thread
  2. Implement minimal UI for control
  3. Consider adding system tray functionality
  4. Implement proper resource management

Visit our GitHub page to get more code samples and implementation examples.