how to record your desktop; the simplest way

**hannysabbagh** · May 14th, 2012

Hello, Congratulations on the new Style

here we will explain how to record your desktop GUI in command line in the simplest way, first you need ffmpeg package:

Code:

sudo apt-get install ffmpeg

now you can record your desktop using this command:

Code:

ffmpeg -an -s 1280x800 -r 25 -f x11grab -i :0.0 -vcodec mpeg4 -sameq -y output.avi

replace the red color Code with your settings, then Enter,you can press Ctrl + c in the terminal when you End or just close the terminal

thanks

**FakeOutdoorsman** · May 15th, 2012

The -sameq option should not be used when recording your screen. It does not mean "same quality". Replace it with -qscale with a value of 2 to 5, such as -qscale 2, when using -vcodec mpeg4. A lower value is a higher quality.

**chief10** · October 25th, 2012

what's the best GUI app for this?

**Sean Dewlin** · October 25th, 2012

I use RecordMyDesktop - you can download it via Ubuntu Software Center.

**danielglz** · November 14th, 2012

Hello:

I think ffmpeg is deprecated. You have to use avconv instead. In any case, have you tried Kazam?. It is very good.

Daniel.

**Sarys** · November 14th, 2012

Can I replace fraps with this? I like to make let's play videos.

**Abhinav Kumar** · November 14th, 2012

Hi
Another method could be to use online sites like
Go to
http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/
and do the screen recording by allowing the java applet to run

Regards,
Abhinav