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To capture only an application window’s content in OBS, add a Window Capture source, select the window, and on Windows leave Client Area enabled when using the Windows 10 capture method. Check the preview, then crop any remaining edge pixels with Edit Transform or by holding Alt (Windows/Linux) or Option (macOS) while dragging a bounding-box handle. Client Area is a Windows Window Capture property; macOS and Linux use different capture sources or methods.
What “Client Area” captures
A window has its working content area and, depending on the application and operating system, an outer frame or title bar. OBS’s Client Area option targets the window’s client content rather than its outer frame. It is a setting within Window Capture, not a general-purpose crop tool and not a way to select a particular browser tab or region inside an application.
Window Capture is meant to capture one chosen window and its contents. It can keep capturing that selected window when other windows overlap it. Display Capture, by contrast, records the monitor, so other visible windows can appear in the recording.
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Capture a window’s client area on Windows
- Add the source. In OBS Studio, select the scene where the capture should appear. In the Sources area, add a Window Capture source. Create a new source or select an existing one.
- Choose the application window. Open the source’s properties and select the target in Window. Make sure the application is running so its window can be selected.
- Choose a capture method if needed. The Windows properties include Capture Method and Window Match Priority, along with settings such as Capture Cursor. The Client Area property is listed for the Windows 10 capture method. Select that method when available and leave Client Area enabled to capture the content area.
- Inspect the preview. Confirm that the application content is visible and that the edges, title bar, controls, and cursor match what you intend to record. The preview is the practical check before recording.
- Crop only if necessary. If unwanted border pixels, a toolbar, or another edge remains, select the source and use Edit Transform, or hold Alt while dragging a bounding-box handle. Crop a small amount at a time so you do not remove useful controls.
- Set the composition. Resize the cropped source from a corner to fit the scene. Check for black bars, distorted-looking framing, or clipped controls before recording.
Client Area versus a manual crop
Use Client Area when the problem is the outer window frame and the Windows capture method exposes the option. Use a manual crop for residual pixels or to trim an edge or toolbar that is part of the captured window content. These are different operations: Client Area selects the content area; a crop trims the captured image after the source is selected.
#1 Best Overall
- 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p for video source and it is ideal for all HDMI devices such as PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, DVDs, DSLR, Camera, Security Camera and set top box. Note: Video input supports 4K30/60Hz and 1080p120/144Hz. Does not support 4K120Hz/144Hz. Output supports up to 2K30Hz.
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- 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no delay when you are playing game live.
- 【Support Mic-in for Commentary】Rybozen capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when playing a game. Please note: it only accepts 3.5mm TRS standard microphone headset.
Choose the right capture source for your platform
| Platform or content | Recommended OBS source or path | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Windows desktop application | Window Capture; use the Windows 10 capture method when needed | Client Area is a Windows property associated with that method. |
| macOS 13 or newer | macOS Screen Capture, set to Window or Application | OBS describes this as its modern ScreenCaptureKit path. OBS says it can capture audio on macOS 13 and newer. |
| macOS 10.15–12.6 | The older Window Capture path, if present in the current OBS build | OBS warns that this older path is less performant. Check the source list in your installed build. |
| Linux X11 | Window Capture (Xcomposite) | Available properties depend on the session type. |
| Linux Wayland | Screen Capture (PipeWire) | Available properties depend on the session type; the Windows Client Area setting does not apply. |
| DirectX or OpenGL game on Windows | Game Capture | OBS recommends trying Game Capture first for supported games; Window Capture is intended for non-game windows. |
Window Capture or Display Capture?
Choose according to what the recording should contain, not just which source is easiest to add.
- Use Window Capture when the recording should follow one application window. Other windows may overlap it without becoming the captured content.
- Use Display Capture when you need the complete monitor image, including multiple applications or activity outside one window. Overlapping windows on the monitor can be recorded.
- On macOS, understand the crop behavior. OBS notes that Display Capture can automatically crop to a window’s bounds, but overlapping windows are still captured there, unlike Window Capture.
- For a game on Windows, evaluate Game Capture first. OBS identifies it as the most efficient route for DirectX and OpenGL games.
If you need only one part of a window, select that window and crop the source in OBS. Window Capture follows the selected window; it does not lock to one browser tab, document pane, or other changing subregion automatically.
Check the result before recording
- Confirm the selected source points to the intended application window, not another window with a similar title.
- Move or resize the source and verify that the desired content remains inside the visible frame.
- Check whether the cursor should appear; Capture Cursor is among the Windows Window Capture properties.
- Watch the preview while switching content inside a browser or application. The source captures the window, so content changes within it are reflected.
- Review the crop at the final scene size. A crop that looks harmless close up can remove controls or leave unwanted empty space after resizing.
Troubleshooting Window Capture
The target window is missing from the list
Open the source properties again and check the selected window title and Window Match Priority. Verify the application is running, then reopen the properties and select its current window. If multiple windows have similar titles, confirm the choice in the preview rather than relying only on the name.
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The preview is blank
Confirm the target application is open and still selected. If the source properties offer another documented capture method, try that method and check the preview again. Capture-method availability and behavior vary by platform and session type, so use the source appropriate to the operating system rather than assuming the Windows options apply everywhere.
The title bar or border is still visible
On Windows, check that you are using the Windows 10 capture method and that Client Area is enabled. If a small border or unwanted strip remains, use a modest manual crop. Switching to Display Capture is not necessary just to remove a window edge and may record other visible windows.
A browser tab or app panel changes unexpectedly
Window Capture selects the whole window, not a fixed tab or internal region. If the content changes within the selected window, OBS captures the changed content. Crop the source if the desired area remains in a stable position; if it does not, use an application-specific way to keep the target content in place.
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A game does not capture correctly
For DirectX or OpenGL games on Windows, try Game Capture first. OBS recommends that source for supported games; Window Capture is intended for non-game windows.
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Undo or adjust the crop in smaller increments, then inspect the preview at its intended scene size. Resize the cropped source from a corner to preserve the composition and check that no essential controls have been clipped.
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ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server, not an OBS source: use it when you need a static capture of a web page rather than a video recording of an application window. A single GET request returns a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. For a WebP screenshot of a page:
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- 【Ultra Low Latency Screen Sharing】 HDMI capture card is made of good quality aluminum alloy with strong heat dissipation, allowing you to enjoy ultra low latency while live gaming or video recording or live streaming, avoiding blue screens and lag. This HDMI to USBC capture card supports easy recording of good quality audio or HD video and transferring it to your computer or streaming platform, allowing you to record 60 fps HD video directly on your hard drive and real-time preview
- 【Plug and Play, Easy to Carry】 This HDMI 1080P video capture card does not require any additional drivers or external power supply, just plug and play for fast capture. The capture card is small and lightweight, so you can put it in your bag for emergencies, making it very portable for outdoor live streaming. It's also a great way to share content in game recording, video conference, video recorder and online teaching
- 【Wide Compatibility USB Capture Card】 Easily streams to Facebook, Youtube or Twitch. With the connection, this HDMI to USB C/3.0 video capture devices can be working on several Operating Systems and various software: Windows 7/ 8/ 10, Mac OS or above, Linux, Android, Laptop, Xbox One, PS3/PS4/PS5, Camera, DVDs, Set Top Box, Webcame, DSLR, Switch/Switch 2, TV BOX, HDTV, Potplayer/VLC, ZOOM, OBS Studio etc.
- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpMore request options are in the ScreenshotNeo API documentation. The same request in Python:
import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)Or in Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);ScreenshotNeo accepts cookie or consent banners as a visitor and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each step can be turned off. Bot checks and CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers indicate the page verdict and billing status. Its MCP server offers take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for AI agents and MCP clients. The free plan includes 1,000 shots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Every feature is on every plan. Those are web-page capture capabilities, not substitutes for recording a live desktop with OBS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Window Capture record the mouse pointer?
On Windows, the Window Capture properties include a Capture Cursor setting. Check that property if the pointer’s appearance matters in your recording.
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- 4K60 Capture: Record in cinematic quality with crisp detail and vivid colors
- HFR Support: Play and capture in 1440p120 or 1080p240
- HDR10 Support: Capture brilliant HDR content with tone mapping on Windows
- Cross-Platform Compatible: Works with PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and more
- Analog Audio In: Capture in-game chat or commentary with 3.5mm input
Does Client Area work for a particular browser tab?
No. It targets a window’s client content, not a tab or other internal page region. Use a stable manual crop for a subregion, or keep the target content fixed within the window.
Can I use ScreenshotNeo to make an OBS recording?
No. ScreenshotNeo returns a static website capture or PDF through an API; it does not record live desktop video. Use OBS for window or monitor recordings.
Quick Recap
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