System Requirements
Ensure your Mac meets these requirements for optimal performance.
Minimum Requirements
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| macOS | 15.0 (Sequoia) or later |
| Processor | Apple Silicon (M1 or later) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 500 MB for app, space for recordings |
| Display | Any resolution |
Recommended Specifications
| Component | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| macOS | Latest version |
| Processor | M2 or later |
| RAM | 16 GB or more |
| Storage | SSD with 100+ GB free |
| Display | Retina display |
Storage Requirements
Recording space depends on settings:
Per Hour of Recording
| Settings | Approximate Size |
|---|---|
| 4K/60fps/HEVC/High | 15-20 GB |
| 4K/30fps/HEVC/Standard | 5-8 GB |
| 1080p/30fps/HEVC/Standard | 1-2 GB |
| 1080p/30fps/H.264/Standard | 2-4 GB |
| Audio only (BWF 48kHz/24bit) | 500 MB |
Recommendations
- Keep 2x expected recording time available
- Use external SSD for long sessions
- Monitor available space before recording
Permissions Required
PixelRecorder requires these macOS permissions:
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Screen Recording | Capture screen content |
| Camera | Access camera devices |
| Microphone | Capture audio input |
Grant permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
Supported Hardware
Cameras
- Built-in FaceTime cameras
- USB webcams (UVC compatible)
- Capture cards (via USB/Thunderbolt)
- iOS devices via Continuity Camera
Audio Devices
- Built-in microphones
- USB microphones
- USB audio interfaces
- Thunderbolt audio interfaces
- Aggregate devices
Displays
- Built-in Retina displays
- External monitors (any resolution)
- Multiple display setups
- Virtual displays
Performance Optimization
For Best Performance
- Close unused apps: Free RAM and CPU
- Use SSD storage: HDD may cause drops
- Disable unnecessary sources: Record only what you need
- Use appropriate resolution: Match your needs
- Monitor temperature: Thermal throttling affects performance
Multi-Stream Recording
Recording multiple streams increases requirements:
| Streams | Recommended RAM | CPU Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 GB | Low |
| 2 | 16 GB | Medium |
| 3+ | 16+ GB | High |
Troubleshooting Performance
Signs of Insufficient Resources
- Dropped frames warning
- Choppy preview
- High CPU temperature
- Beach ball cursor
Solutions
- Lower resolution or frame rate
- Close background applications
- Use HEVC codec (lower CPU with hardware encoding)
- Reduce number of active streams
- Record to external SSD
Compatibility Notes
Intel Macs
PixelRecorder requires Apple Silicon. Intel Macs are not supported.
Older macOS
macOS 14 and earlier are not supported. Update to macOS 15 or later.
Virtual Machines
Not officially supported. Performance may vary.