The Best Ways to Screen Record Protected Videos on PC
Summary: Are you looking for the best ways to screen recorded protected videos? This comprehensive guide has covered two great ones: StreamFab Video Downloader and FonePaw Screen Recorder.
Table of Contents
I've found that whether using Screen Recorder or the system's built-in screen recorder, as long as the content has DRM protection enabled, the screen will appear black even with audio and video playback. Simply put, DRM is designed to prevent screen recording (especially on streaming platforms). I recommend limiting use to personal learning or legal preservation, and avoid dissemination, sharing, or commercial use.
Method 1: RecordFab
Record streaming videos, live broadcasts, and online courses in 720p or 1080p quality. Preserve both video and audio with clarity, and save recordings permanently on your device in MP4 format for offline viewing anytime without needing an internet connection.
- Provides a relatively stable recording experience on compatible platforms, aiming to reduce issues like black screens or audio dropouts when you are capturing content you’re allowed to watch.
- There's a neat little slider for tweaking bitrate, so you can juggle file size and quality.
- Simple interface, too, so doing lots of recordings doesn’t feel like rocket science.
- This tool is only available on Windows; Mac users are currently unavailable.
Related tips: how to screen record DAZN
Method 2: FonePaw Screen Recorder
FonePaw Screen Recorder is, in my opinion, a really handy tool. You can record your desktop, games, webinars, streaming videos, or websites—whatever you want. No watermarks, which I love. Works on both Windows and Mac. It’s got an interface even beginners can figure out without help.
- Record your entire screen, a specific area, or even use your camera.
- Add text, charts, and other annotations to highlight important content.
- Preview your recording at any time to check if it matches your expectations.
- On some major streaming platforms (such as Netflix), recordings may be unstable or limited, and you might find that not every title can be captured as expected.
- Black screen issues frequently occur.
- It doesn't support batch recording and can't automatically identify streaming content.
Select the audio sources you want to include, such as system sound and, if needed, microphone input. After confirming all parameters, start the recording inside FonePaw and stop it when you’re finished; the captured file will then be saved for your personal offline review.
With screen recording solutions, some users hope to keep a copy of online course lessons they can already access, for example, courses from platforms like Udemy. However, you should always check each platform’s terms of service first, as many online learning sites explicitly restrict or forbid recording or downloading their protected content.
Related: how to download udemy videos
Method 2: Download Protected Videos with StreamFab Video Downloader
The next option for managing and saving videos for personal offline viewing on Mac or Windows is the StreamFab Video Downloader. This is yet another fantastic service in the recording and downloading world, and there are many reasons for it when used with content you’re already allowed to watch.
The major one, however, happens to be that the StreamFab Video Downloader has been operating in business for several years now. This has not only helped the service gather a vast user base but also has helped them understand what their user's expectations and demands are. Hence, with the clearance on this particular aspect, the service has brought out incredible features.
- Support downloading videos from a wide range of popular platforms, including Netflix, Amazon and OnlyFans, as long as you have lawful access to the content and respect each service’s terms and local copyright rules.
- Save videos in up to 4K quality
- Output premium EAC3/AC3 5.1 audios
- Auto-remove ads from downloads
- 10X fast download speed
Features of StreamFab Video Downloader
The features that make StreamFab Video Downloader an excellent pick are:
- StreamFab video downloader supports recording from over 46 different streaming and social platforms.
- It prevents advertisements from being downloaded. Hence, the result will be ad-free, and you can get a recording that is up to your standards and doesn't get interrupted by ads.
- It provides users with a high-quality resolution of 1080P in MP4 format, which is truly commendable.
- The StreamFab Video Downloader is quite simple to use because of its easy interface. The service has a simple set of instructions to follow and tools that make it even easier to use, even for beginner-level users.
Open the StreamFab software on your computer and go to the main interface. From there, access the supported streaming or website section and sign in to the service where you already have a valid subscription, such as Max.
Within StreamFab’s built-in browser, locate the video you want to keep for offline viewing and start playing it, then follow the prompts to choose available options like quality, audio track, and subtitles for the device you plan to watch on.
FAQ: Which Suits You The Best?
| Features | RecordFab | FonePaw Screen Recorder | StreamFab Video Downloader |
| Technology | Recording | Recording | Downloading |
| Detele mid-roll ads | Yes | No | Yes |
| Quality | High, up to 1080p | High, up to 1080p | High, up to 4K |
| Batch download | No | No | Yes |
| Download subtitles | No | No | Yes |
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When using screen recording or downloading tools to handle content that may be protected by DRM, users must comply with relevant legal regulations and the terms of each platform. DRM copy protection often results in a black screen during recording, even if the video and audio play normally. Therefore, it is recommended that these tools be used only for personal learning or legal preservation, and avoid dissemination, sharing, or commercial purposes.
When selecting a tool, please focus on its compliance and usage limitations instead of any ability to deal with protection, and make sure you never use it to handle the copyright safeguards, fully understanding the legal risks involved.
Conclusion
Both the services we mentioned above are great. Still, if you take a close look at the comparative chart, the rating and quality aspect might incline you towards using StreamFab Video Downloader. If you ask us for our opinion, we will also vote in favor of StreamFab. So, check out the service today for sure, and remember to use any of these tools only within the scope of your valid subscriptions and for personal offline viewing.
