Quick Answer:
You can record streaming TV shows on your PC using the built-in Xbox Game Bar or a third-party screen recorder like SurFlex Online Free Screen Recorder, SurFlex Screen Recorder, or OBS Studio. With any of them, you will be able to effortlessly record videos on your PC.
Table of contents
Can You Record Streaming Programs on PC
Yes, you can record streaming programs on PC with the help of screen recorder tools or services such as Xbox Game Bar, SurFlex Screen Recorder, and more. With any of these tools, you will be able to successfully record streaming TV on PC and save it for replay.
How to Record Streaming TV on PC on Windows 10 and Later
Tool: Xbox Game Bar
Since Windows has a native screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar, you can use this app to directly record streaming TV shows on your computer with audio, without the need for any third-party tools or services.
Xbox Game Bar recording allows you to customize the video quality and frame rate, and it saves the recorded TV shows on your PC in MP4 format. This makes it a free and convenient option for recording TV on your computer.
If you decide to use this tool, it is recommended to go to Start > Settings > Gaming > Captures and Xbox Game Bar > Settings > Widgets to configure the recording settings. Then, follow the steps below to record TV on Windows 10 or later.
To record streaming TV on PC with Xbox Game Bar:
Step 1. Make sure the TV show window is currently focused.
Step 2. Press Windows + Alt + R to start recording the program.
Step 3. When you are done, press Windows + Alt + R to end the recording.
Step 4. Go to Videos > Captures to check the recorded TV show.
How to Record Live TV on Computer Online
Tool: SurFlex Online Free Screen Recorder
Using a web-based service like SurFlex Online Free Screen Recorder is also a convenient option for recording television to your computer. This online video recorder allows you to record streaming TV shows on your PC in HD quality for free, without any watermarks or time limits. It is widely compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, so you can use any of these browsers to record videos on your PC.
Note: Due to browser restrictions, you cannot record sound coming from your computer while recording an app window. Therefore, it is advisable to choose to record a browser tab or the entire screen, depending on the app you are using, so that you can record TV on your PC with audio.
To record live TV on a computer online for free:
Step 1. Visit SurFlex Online Free Screen Recorder using a browser.
Step 2. Select Screen and System Sound, then click Start Recording.
Step 3. Choose to record a browser tab or the entire screen according to your needs.
Step 4. Select the target tab or display and then click Share to start recording the live TV show.
Step 5. Once done, click Stop Sharing or Stop Recording and go back to the online screen recorder.
Step 6. Preview the video and click Download to save the television to your computer.
How to Record TV Shows on PC in High Quality
Tool: SurFlex Screen Recorder
There are also third-party screen recorders available for recording streaming TV shows on your PC or laptop, and SurFlex Screen Recorder is one of them. This tool allows you to record any part of your screen with system sound, microphone audio, or both. When you’re watching streaming TV shows on your PC, you can use this tool to record them for later playback.
Furthermore, you have the option to select the video quality, video format, and other recording options according to your needs. If you prefer to customize the recording and output settings, a desktop screen recorder like this will better suit your needs.
To record streaming TV on PC:
Step 1. After installing the screen recorder on your computer, launch the app and go to Settings to choose the output options.
Step 2. To record a streaming video with audio, choose System Sound among the audio options.
Step 3. Choose Full Screen or Select Region according to the video you’d like to capture.
Step 4. Select the video window and click REC to start recording the streaming video.
Step 5. When needed, click Stop to end the video recording and then check it in the Video List.
How to Record Streaming TV Shows on Computer for Free
Tool: OBS Studio
OBS Studio is another viable solution for recording television on your computer. It offers a wide range of features that allow you to record on-screen content and activities, giving you the ability to capture anything you need. When you want to record streaming TV shows on your computer, simply select the appropriate recording sources and you’ll be able to capture the desired content for later playback.
To record streaming TV shows on your computer with OBS Studio:
Step 1. Download and install OBS Studio on your computer.
Step 2. Go to File > Settings > Output to choose the output options.
Step 3. Then go to the Sources panel to add the recording sources you need, such as Display Capture and Audio Output Capture.
Step 4. When you are ready, click Start Recording.
Step 5. After capturing your desired content, click Stop Recording.
Step 6. Go to Files > Show Recording to check the video.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how to record streaming TV on your PC using different tools, you can also utilize these screen recorders to capture other types of content on your computer. Whether it’s recording videos or audio, these tools can be useful for various purposes. Furthermore, if you ever need to record live TV on your Mac in the future, you can refer back to this guide to find a suitable solution.