screen recording pass-through hardware ?

I don’t even know if such a device exists, and I’m not sure if I’m googling for the right thing… but is there such a thing as a recording device that would sit between my PC and a screen (or TV) that would record a video file of what the screen is seeing? Like Fraps, but if Fraps was hardware between my PC and my screen.

I think you want a capture card/external caprture box from the likes of Elgato - https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming

There are more than a few vendors, but I am not familiar with them all.

And this:

https://www.highgroundgaming.com/best-capture-cards/

Right, ok. But it seems like you still need a PC hooked up to the recorder in between your XBox and TV, or be using the source PC, to record. I want a self contained recorder. Like, if I was James Bond, and wanted to record someone’s session by plugging in a little recorder during lunch break, hitting the red button, and collecting it later. Or you know… if I didn’t have a laptop right now and my desktop PC wasn’t where it needs to be.

I also need this same thing for reasons.

I’m sensing a gap in the market.

Sounds like you’re talking about, um, a VCR.

Totally! But I want it digital. Wait, are you saying they make H264 mov-making VCRs?

Standalone capture?

http://www.avermedia.com/gaming/product/game_capture/game_capture_hd_ii

StarTech does one too:

They exist, but no idea what is any good, I’m afraid.

Couple of others listed here:

If possible to share, I’m curious as to why? Software solutions such as snagit will capture 1080 resolution at 30 frames per second. Adobe Captivate might be even better.

I’ve been thinking of making a little joke video for my daughter using her favorite netflix cartoons, and my only laptop is a dinosaur, and my desktop PC isn’t near the TV or Roku. I guess I could splice some youtubes together, but I thought I’d look into recorders… but now that I know what to call them, they aren’t exactly cheap, huh. I was hoping they’d be like a more expensive thumb drive.

Couldn’t you just screen record Netflix in your browser?

… yeah, I’m getting old. You can watch netflix on your computer. Right. :) software will do, then! yay! I know there are a few good free ones.

Bandicam is pretty good. I think you can do 8 minute clips with the trial version. Or if you have a Mac you can just do it in Quicktime (though it uses the microphone for sound, for some reason).