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If you're a Mac user and speed runner and/or streamer, chances are you've used that search field with terms like "mac" or "os x," probably in conjunction with "stream" or "record" or "capture."

This is long overdue.

I wanted a thread that centralizes the important information so those without knowledge can find all they need right away.  Since no one else made one, here it is.

NOTE: The Knowledge Base now has great reference pages for some of these things!  If you want to learn how to record, encode, and stream on OS X please go here: https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Mac_Recording_and_Streaming

Hardware

Probably the worst part of all this is learning what hardware you can use.  Capture devices generally aren't plug-n-play; they have their own drivers and chances are they don't exist for OS X.  There are 10 choices I'm aware of (if anyone knows of others, please post and I'll edit accordingly):

Elgato Video Capture
Blackmagic Intensity Pro (internal card for Mac Pro), Shuttle (USB 3.0 version is Windows only, you need Thunderbolt), and Extreme
EasyCAP
Dazzle for Mac (this seems to be really hard to find.)
Dazzle DVC 100 (Windows only, but guides on YouTube explain how it can be used on OS X.)
Hauppauge HDPVR
AVerCapture M
Game Capture HD (records, does not stream.)
Game Capture HD 2 (records, does not stream.)
Elgato Game Capture HD

The first two come with their own software, so it shouldn't be hard to figure those out.  I don't have any personal experience with them myself, though.  The 3rd one is probably the worst option, but it's the cheapest and also the only one that works with 240 video (can someone verify this?).

Recording/Streaming Software

I believe Elgato and Blackmagic have recording features in their respective software.  I'm not sure if you can produce an SDA-submittable video with these, however (someone confirm please).

Norichan: Right from SDA's backyard. It only works with the Stk1160 models of EasyCAP (Syntek), but if you have one then you can take advantage of its recording features, such as no dropped frames and proper flicker capture.  It records 30 fps interlaced uncompressed video (even if the preview window displays F1 or 60 fps).

EasyCapViewer: Supports multiple EasyCAP models (check the site to see which ones), but has subpar recording features compared to Norichan.  Still, it is capable of producing very nice-looking 60 fps, deinterlaced mp4 video.  Not SDA-submittable, but a great recording solution that uses less CPU than Norichan and encodes on-the-fly.

Syphon Recorder: You can combine this with CamTwist to record anything you see in your broadcast feed.

ScreenFlow: This will record your entire screen at 60 fps and with very low CPU usage.  Once you finish the recording you have a plethora of post-production options to edit and polish the video, as well as optionally add other media/recordings and manage clips via timeline.  It uses the x264 encoder for exporting (even though it says H.264 in-app) and can encode 60 fps videos.

QuickTime Broadcaster: Can take various sources (including CamTwist), stream, and record locally.

Flash Media Live Encoder: Same as QTB.

Wirecast: Same as QTB and FMLE, but is (expensive) paid software and more feature-filled.

CocoaSplit: A newer alternative to QTB and FMLE that is more lightweight, supports Syphon, CamTwist 3.0, and x264.

CamTwist: This should be your go-to app for streaming.  It's free and incredibly powerful, allowing you to manage various video sources, add overlays, apply effects, and preview things before cutting to live feed.  One of its best features is Desktop+, which lets you confine capture to a single specific application window.  You've all seen streams where windows appear on top of the streamer's timer, game window, or shows part of their desktop?  You can avoid all that with Desktop+ for a much more professional-looking stream or just plain convenience.  Combine with encoders like QTB, FMLE, or CocoaSplit to actually broadcast your video, as CamTwist can't normally do this alone.

OBS: This is the new multi-platform rewrite of OBS.  Currently in its early stages and may eventually become a full CamTwist + CocoaSplit alternative.

HDPVRCapture: Capture software for the Hauppauge HDPVR.

Kumari: Basic streaming software designed by Nate.  Still in its early stages, but is capable (with the slider more towards the left) of incredibly low CPU usage and better video quality than alternatives.  It shows your current fps, and is not compatible with CamTwist.

Audio Hijack Pro: Extremely powerful and robust solution to all your audio needs.  It is paid software, but well worth it.  Using this you can record/route any specific application audio, change the gain, add effects, etc.  Combine with Soundflower for total control.  NOTE: To capture your mic and Skype audio without an echo, click your Skype source in AHP, and under Input click on "Advanced..." Choose MegaMix Mode and for "Play inputs through:" choose Mute.  This will prevent AHP from capturing the input audio stream in Skype that you normally cannot hear (because it isn't played back to you in Skype).  This is very important, because during a Skype call you won't hear the echo, but your stream will!  This echo solution probably works with other VoIP software too.

LineIn: Not nearly as capable as AHP, but it is free.  You can open two instances of it to capture both mic and game audio.

Soundflower: Audio routing utility.  Can be combined with many different apps (like AHP and FMLE), even at the same time.

For detailed steps, there is a great streaming guide here: http://www.mikechambers.com/blog/2011/05/29/setting-up-desktop-streaming-on-mac-os-x/

Encoding Software

NOTE: Recordings from Norichan on 10.8.4 will not encode properly due to the aforementioned bug, except with Anri-chan.

Yua: Designed by Nate as a cross-platform replacement to Anri-chan, you can use this to easily encode SDA-submittable videos with minimal effort.

HandBrake: Excellent, all-around encoding option.

Avidemux: Some people swear by this, but I've personally had some issues trying to produce SDA-submittable videos ("chroma ghosting," apparently).  If someone could figure out how to avoid that issue it could possibly be used for submissions.

Compressor: One of Apple's "Pro Apps," to call this powerful is an understatement.  Unfortunately I've had problems with this also, as I apparently couldn't get a "properly" deinterlaced result for submission.  This is likely lack of knowledge on my part, though.  If anyone has further input feel free to post.

And because I'm lazy, here's a link to a few other encoders you can try: http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/video-roundups/7-video-encoding-apps-for-mac/

Timer Software

Time Split Tracker: Made by dunnius.  Great timer that can autosave PBs.

Llanfair: Java-based timer designed as an alternative to WSplit.  The interface is a bit clunky, but it is highly customizable and in continuous development.

ShitSplit: Python-based game split timer.  Originally it was made by setz as a favor to me so I could use game time splits for Sonic 3, but he's expanded it to support several types of games.  Very useful for games that show you game time after stages, rounds, etc.

Splits: Alternative to TST and Llanfair.
Thread title:  
A Blackmagic Intensity Pro is only compatible with the Mac Pro because it is an internal card. There exists the Blackmagic Shuttle for both Thunderbolt and USB3, which is an external device. I believe that is Mac compatible. There also exists Dazzle for Mac. I don't remember if you have to buy a Mac specific Dazzle or if you can just get any Dazzle and use Mac drivers.

An option, or just simply a workaround is that all Macs since I believe 2006 can run Windows. I have to use Windows because I use AviSynth as it is the only program out there that gives me enough flexibility to work with my source videos. It is so rare to find a point resize aka nearest neighbor resize filter surprisingly enough.
HELLO!
I don't know if Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle USB works on Mac OS.  You might need Tbolt.

Also I'd updated the Mac KB page relatively recently, so it's pretty up to date. You're covering most of the good links here.  Far as I've tested Quicktime Broadcaster + Camtwist + Audio Hijack Pro + Soundflower is one of the best combination at the moment.

I can't comment on a Wirecast + AHP + SF combo because I'm not spending 500 dollars on Wirecast. Smiley

Kumari (see thread in Tech forum) + AHP + SF is also a good combo.  It's clearly not as featureful, since it's a single screen capture, but it does higher framerates than Camtwist for the same resolution.

About the only time I use FMLE over Quicktime Broadcaster is when I stream to Nico.
Edit history:
nate: 2013-06-10 10:31:19 pm
nate: 2013-06-10 10:30:29 pm
kumari should be decent under os x for what it is right now if you're careful not to specify a framerate higher than your system can sustain. the number on the display shows you what framerate you're currently getting.

edit: while i'm at it, i should also mention that you should be careful with the quality sliders. if in doubt, one tick from the left for both should be safe. you will know when you've gone too far to the right when your stream buffers constantly and/or your system takes a crap.
Not a walrus
I haven't tried it on OSX, but Wine on Linux runs VirtualDub/AviSynth just fine if you don't mind having to fiddle with it. Might be worth a shot for editing, though I doubt it would work for capture, obviously.
torch slug since 2006
i can recommend kumari. i was able to produce this http://www.twitch.tv/lambdan/b/415484527 using kumari alpha 1, norichan and llanfair, all while norichan was also recording it.
i only had my bitrate set to 512 but i can crank it up to 1000 probably, but i didnt bother when i did this Smiley

i did run into a problem though with kumari but im gonna post that in the kumari thread.
Updated with the info on Blackmagics, Dazzles, and Kumari.  Thanks.

presjpolk, how is QTB's CPU usage compared to FMLE (quite the CPU hog)?  Previously I used CT + FMLE, but unless Adobe updates it (pffffffffft) it can't be used on 10.8.4.  I took a quick look at Kumari; great to see another stream solution in the works.  Unfortunately I won't be able to stream anytime soon (maybe in a week or two) so I can't test it.

I'm sure many people are aware of the option to run Windows, but this thread assumes people want to do everything from within OS X, because having to reboot or use a VM is highly inconvenient.

Haven't tried VirtualDub/AviSynth in Wine, but on that subject I recommend all OS X users install Wine via MacPorts.  It's really easy and is by far the quickest and most seamless way to run Windows software on OS X.  The drawbacks are that not everything runs well (or at all), so you'd have to test with specific apps to see what works (there is an app database on the Wine web site), and performance is not as good as running natively.  Good news on this front recently, Wine 1.6 will include a Mac driver that removes the need for X11/XQuartz, so all software run in Wine will (supposedly) function like a native Cocoa app.
i had the avisynth-based toolchain working fine in wine in the summer of 2008 so i doubt there would be any problems now. thing is it's still avisynth/windows so you have all these idiotic early 90s limits like length of segment and number of segments you can append. trying to break through all that with yua. no more os-specific stuff. windows is already dead.
Not a walrus
Not trying to derail the thread, but I've encoded all the marathon videos with the VDub/Avisynth/X264/NeroAAC toolchain and some of those things are several hours in length, so I'm not sure what you mean by length of segment? The only real difficulty I had was figuring out how to get Nero to read audio data past the 2 gig limit.
yeah, the single riff chunk size limit when it comes to audio. not piping to nero but getting avisynth to produce audio that long at all. right now it's like ... you have a run longer than 6-7 hours? hf w/ that. of course it can be done but it's certainly not what i would call out of the box.
Not a walrus
Hmm, longest marathon video is definitely over 6 hours and don't remember having any issues with avisynth itself, but maybe it's been so long since I got it working that my memory is faulty. The biggest reason I still use it is because it's possible to automate all the script generation.

I might use my work computer (a two year old imac) to help with some of the workload for SGDQ so it doesn't take over a month to encode everything, will be interesting to see how it fares.
https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/is_there_a_limit_to_.wav_lengthsize_10.html
HELLO!
Quote from HDL:
Updated with the info on Blackmagics, Dazzles, and Kumari.  Thanks.

presjpolk, how is QTB's CPU usage compared to FMLE (quite the CPU hog)?  Previously I used CT + FMLE, but unless Adobe updates it (pffffffffft) it can't be used on 10.8.4.  I took a quick look at Kumari; great to see another stream solution in the works.  Unfortunately I won't be able to stream anytime soon (maybe in a week or two) so I can't test it.

I'm sure many people are aware of the option to run Windows, but this thread assumes people want to do everything from within OS X, because having to reboot or use a VM is highly inconvenient.

Haven't tried VirtualDub/AviSynth in Wine, but on that subject I recommend all OS X users install Wine via MacPorts.  It's really easy and is by far the quickest and most seamless way to run Windows software on OS X.  The drawbacks are that not everything runs well (or at all), so you'd have to test with specific apps to see what works (there is an app database on the Wine web site), and performance is not as good as running natively.  Good news on this front recently, Wine 1.6 will include a Mac driver that removes the need for X11/XQuartz, so all software run in Wine will (supposedly) function like a native Cocoa app.


Quicktime Broadcaster seems to be less resource intensive over all for me, which is why I switched.  In theory it'd be even better with an x264 codec installed, too.

[Reaction to Windows and Wine redacted]
Hauppauge HDPVR also has a mac program HDPVRCapture and works really well. youtube.com/brasstrekker for some videos using it. this is also how I stream.  I use Line in, Soundflower and CamTwist as well and recommend those and am willing to help others who may need it
Edit history:
HDL: 2013-06-11 02:39:00 pm
HDL: 2013-06-11 02:25:46 pm
Quote from brassmaster:
Hauppauge HDPVR also has a mac program HDPVRCapture and works really well. youtube.com/brasstrekker for some videos using it. this is also how I stream.  I use Line in, Soundflower and CamTwist as well and recommend those and am willing to help others who may need it


Oh yeah, completely forgot about that one.  Can HDPVRCapture stream as well or is it purely for recording?

Edit: So apparently I was able to launch FMLE just fine without it hanging on 10.8.4.  Perhaps a restart fixed it.  :/


Quote from presjpolk:
In theory it'd be even better with an x264 codec installed, too.


x264Encoder works with QTB: http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mycometg3/
Edit history:
presjpolk: 2013-06-11 02:48:00 pm
HELLO!
Yeah FMLE never stopped working for me. I use it to stream on Nico and I used that recently.

I *have* an HDPVR but the dang thing stopped working for me at one point, which was odd.

Science!

Just downloaded the latest HDPVRCapture (2) I have a license for. Plugged in the HDPVR, stuck my component switch output into it... and it is sorta working.  The software clearly is primarily for recording, but it also has the option to stream it over UDP to an address and port. So in theory you could stream it to localhost and use VLC to play back that stream, then screen capture that.

However I'm testing it right now and it skips quite a bit.  These raw recordings of 480p Zelda II I'm getting seem ok, but the live streaming to VLC just doesn't work out.  Maybe it's better in HDPVRCapture 3, but as-is I just can't recommend an HDPVR for streaming.
So I actually did some tests with QTB out of curiosity.  The CPU usage is definitely lower, but I had some issues.  When I tried x264, it would only stream a black screen.  H.264 streamed correctly, but the frame rate was not consistent at all (same settings I use for FMLE).  I even sometimes got freezes that lasted 1-2 seconds.  Well that ain't how that's supposed to go.  :/
HELLO!
I've streamed many hours of steady 30fps video with QTB though, that's the thing.
what kind of hardware are you guys running on?
Edit history:
HDL: 2013-06-12 08:36:45 am
I have a 15" late 2011 MBP (8,2 model).  Quad-core i7 (2.2) and Radeon 6750m with 1 GB.
Edit history:
DJS: 2013-06-12 08:40:55 am
torch slug since 2006
dont think you asked me, but might as well add just for comparison (still going strong with kumari)

Mid 2011 Mac Mini (Macmini5,1), 2.3GHz i5 (2 cores, 4 threads), 8gb ram, intel hd 3000 512mb, osx 10.8.3
Yeah you cant stream with HDPVR capture, but I have it sent via a UDP and VLC playing that, then CamTwist to capture it.  I recommend this because the delay is about 2 seconds.  if you just preview the recording, it'll be about 6 seconds behind. 

I too have started having problems with it recently.  The feed to VLC keeps freezing or getting screwed up visually. I dont know if its the program, the device itself or VLC.  but frequently when I stop recording the blue light never goes out so my device may be getting screwed up.

I used to have a problem with FMLE, but completely getting rid of it and redownloading it fixed that.

I'll go ahead and post my equipment as well:
late 2012 iMac, 3.4 quad i7, 16GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2GB GDDR5 running on the latest OSX.
Lately I've been noticing some pretty nasty screen tearing in Norichan.  I'm not sure if I just never noticed it or if updating had something to do with it.  Does anyone else also see it?
i make no attempt to match vsync. tearing will be up to the alignment of the planets.
Edit history:
presjpolk: 2013-06-13 04:01:24 am
HELLO!
Quote from nate:
what kind of hardware are you guys running on?

New 2.9GHz quad core iMac.

Well, I tested the HDPVR on about a year old 13" Macbook Pro. 2.4GHz i5.  2 cores.