Record Window only allows recording the entire screen

Discussion in 'Parallels Toolbox for Mac' started by MatthewM17, Jan 15, 2021.

  1. MatthewM17

    MatthewM17 Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    I've been using the Record Window tool quite a bit recently. However, now when I try to Record Window, it no longer allows me to choose any of the open windows on the desktop. It is functioning exactly like Record Screen where the only option is to record the entire screen. I'm currently running the latest version, 4.1.1. It used to work with 4.1.0, then stopped working. I thought if I updated to 4.1.1, it would return the proper functionality to Record Window, but it still only allows "choosing" the entire desktop.
     
  2. MatthewM17

    MatthewM17 Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    Replying to my own post: I should also mention that when I run Record Window, it records only a black screen (with audio). When I run Record Screen, it does actually record the entire desktop with audio. Recording an Area also works properly. Unable to record just a window.
     
  3. sergk

    sergk Parallels Developers

    Messages:
    520
    Hello,

    Check if "Record Window" tool is allowed to record your screen (See screenshot below).
    Also generate Technical Report ID and post it's ID here: https://kb.parallels.com/en/124107

    Screen Shot 2021-01-18 at 10.41.30.png
     
  4. MatthewM17

    MatthewM17 Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    Unfortunately, in the Security & Privacy section there is no subsection named Screen Recording. I have several other tools that are installed and can record the screen just fine. I've generated and sent the Technical Report ID as requested.
    Screen Shot 2021-01-18 at 6.19.16 AM.png
    Screen Shot 2021-01-18 at 6.19.43 AM.png
     
  5. sergk

    sergk Parallels Developers

    Messages:
    520
    Ok, we've got you report. You are on macOS 10.14 where Record Window should not have special access to record a screen. It means that reason of your issue in something else.

    Another question. You say that you are unable to select any window with Record Window. And at the same time you mention that recorded video is black. So how exactly window selection is looks like for you? And how you were able to start recording to obtain black recording?
     
  6. MatthewM17

    MatthewM17 Bit poster

    Messages:
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    The window selection works exactly the same as when I choose Record Screen. In other words, there are no windows "highlighted", just the entire screen is "highlighted". I click the mouse (video camera icon) anywhere on the screen and it starts recording. There is a floating recording window (stop, pause, time) at the bottom of the screen to control the recording. When I stop and view the recording, it's just a big black video with audio. However, when I choose Record Screen, it will properly record the entire desktop with audio.
     
  7. sergk

    sergk Parallels Developers

    Messages:
    520
    Ok, got it.
    Looks like the tool detects some invisible window that covers entire desktop and because of it doesn't allow to select other windows below it. It could be system window or window belongs to some application. Let's try to check it.
    - Close your opened applications (not windows but applications!) one by one, including applications that have no windows or Dock icons (some apps just add icon to menu bar without windows and without Dock icon);
    - Check behavior of "Record Window" tool after quitting form every application;
    - If Record Window started to work then remember what application has been close just before;
     
  8. MatthewM17

    MatthewM17 Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    That did it! It was a screen annotation tool (DemoPro) that was running in the background. I use that in conjunction with desktop/window/area recording to make tutorials. I have multiple screen annotation tools, so this particular one can't be used with Record Window. I confess that I'm embarrassed that I didn't figure this out on my own.

    Thank you very much! Your help was awesome!
     
  9. sergk

    sergk Parallels Developers

    Messages:
    520
    Glad to hear that you've found an application that stops "Record Window" from correct working.
    We will investigate this application and I hope will fix this issue in one of nearest releases.
     
  10. LeeC11

    LeeC11 Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    Same problem - no video but sound is there. There is a screen recording selection in security but record window does not appear
    OS 10.15.1 toolbox Version 4.5.0 (3860)
     

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