Capture your screen effortlessly â Whether you're a developer, gamer, or content creator, this tutorial will teach you how to create a simple yet powerful screen recording tool in Python! đ
In this guide, we’ll show you two ways to build your own Python Screen Recorder:
A command-line version (super simple & lightweight đ¯)
A GUI version (beautiful interface with countdown âŗ)
No prior experience? No problem!
By the end, you’ll have your own custom screen recording app ready to use.
Â
đĻ Prerequisites
Before diving in, install these Python packages:
pip install opencv-python pyautogui numpy
For the GUI version:
pip install tkinter
(Tkinter usually comes built-in with Python, but install separately if missing.)
Â
1ī¸âŖ Create a Basic Command Line Screen Recorder in Python
Let’s start with a barebones but powerful command-line screen recorder.
Full Code:
import cv2
import numpy as np
import pyautogui
import time
output_file = ‘recording1.avi’
fps = 20.0
duration = 100 # seconds
screen_size = pyautogui.size()
fourcc = cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*”XVID”)
out = cv2.VideoWriter(output_file, fourcc, fps, screen_size)
print(“Recording started…”)
start_time = time.time()
while time.time() – start_time < duration:
frame = np.array(pyautogui.screenshot())
frame = cv2.cvtColor(frame, cv2.COLOR_RGB2BGR)
out.write(frame)
out.release()
print(f”Recording saved as {output_file}”)
đ How It Works:
Capture Screenshots every frame using
pyautogui.Convert screenshots to the correct color format for OpenCV.
Save them as frames into a
.avivideo file.Record duration is based on a simple timer.
đ§ Pro Tips:
Change
durationto set how long the screen recording lasts.Adjust
fpsfor smoother (or smaller size) videos.
Â
2ī¸âŖ Build a Professional GUI Screen Recorder with Countdown âŗ
Now, let’s level up and create a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for our screen recorder!
This one looks and feels slick and professional!
Full Code:
import cv2
import numpy as np
import pyautogui
import time
import threading
import tkinter as tk
from tkinter import ttk
class ScreenRecorder:
def __init__(self):
self.recording = False
self.out = None
self.fps = 20.0
self.output_file = ‘recording.avi’
def start_recording(self):
screen_size = pyautogui.size()
fourcc = cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*”XVID”)
self.out = cv2.VideoWriter(self.output_file, fourcc, self.fps, screen_size)
self.recording = True
threading.Thread(target=self.record).start()
def stop_recording(self):
self.recording = False
def record(self):
for i in range(3, 0, -1):
countdown_var.set(f”Recording starts in {i}…”)
time.sleep(1)
countdown_var.set(“Recording in progress…”)
while self.recording:
img = pyautogui.screenshot()
frame = np.array(img)
frame = cv2.cvtColor(frame, cv2.COLOR_RGB2BGR)
self.out.write(frame)
if cv2.waitKey(1) == ord(‘q’):
break
self.out.release()
cv2.destroyAllWindows()
countdown_var.set(“Recording saved as recording.avi”)
def start():
countdown_var.set(“”)
recorder.start_recording()
def stop():
recorder.stop_recording()
if __name__ == “__main__”:
recorder = ScreenRecorder()
root = tk.Tk()
root.title(“đĨī¸ Screen Recorder”)
root.geometry(“400×300”)
root.configure(bg=”#1e1e1e”)
style = ttk.Style()
style.theme_use(“clam”)
style.configure(“TButton”,
font=(“Segoe UI”, 12),
padding=10,
background=”#3c3f41″,
foreground=”white”)
style.map(“TButton”,
background=[(“active”, “#5c5f61”)])
title_label = tk.Label(root, text=”Screen Recorder”, font=(“Segoe UI”, 20, “bold”), fg=”white”, bg=”#1e1e1e”)
title_label.pack(pady=20)
start_button = ttk.Button(root, text=”âļī¸ Start Recording”, command=start)
start_button.pack(pady=10)
stop_button = ttk.Button(root, text=”âšī¸ Stop Recording”, command=stop)
stop_button.pack(pady=10)
countdown_var = tk.StringVar()
countdown_label = tk.Label(root, textvariable=countdown_var, font=(“Segoe UI”, 12), fg=”lime”, bg=”#1e1e1e”)
countdown_label.pack(pady=10)
root.mainloop()
đ How It Works:
Tkinter builds a clean, modern dark-themed GUI.
Start Recording button triggers a 3-second countdown.
Stop Recording button ends recording and saves the file automatically.
Real-time Countdown and Recording Status displayed beautifully.
⨠Why Build Your Own Screen Recorder in Python?
100% Customizable â add webcam, add annotations, make it YOURS!
Lightweight â No bloatware, only the features you want.
Learning Experience â Understand real-world coding applications.
Fun Project â Impress friends, employers, or clients!
đ What You have learned in this tutorial:
Python screen recorder tutorial
Build screen recorder Python
Simple Python screen recorder
Create GUI screen recording app
Python screen capture script
Record computer screen Python
Best way to record desktop using Python
OpenCV screen recording project
đ Conclusion
And there you have it â a full-fledged Python Screen Recorder, with both a quick command-line version and a gorgeous GUI version!
đ Whether you want to capture gameplays, create tutorials, or record meetings, this Python tool has you covered.
If you enjoyed this guide, make sure to share it with friends and bookmark for future reference! đ
Ready to take it even further?
Coming soon: Add webcam capture, record system audio, schedule recordings automatically â stay tuned! đĨâ¨
Â
đŦ Got questions? Drop a comment or reach out!