Tutorial

Blueprint Video Recording
No C++ Required

Implement professional video recording in your Unreal Engine project using only Blueprints. Start recording, instant replay, render target capture—all without writing a single line of C++.

⏱️ 15 minutes to implement
📦 0 lines of C++ needed
🎮 UE 4.27+ compatible

Available Blueprint Nodes

Runtime Video Recorder exposes all functionality through intuitive Blueprint nodes.

Start Recording

Begin recording the viewport or specified render target to a video file.

Stop Recording

Finalize and save the recording. Returns the path to the saved file.

Pause Recording

Temporarily pause recording without stopping. Resume anytime.

Start Instant Replay

Begin buffering the last N seconds of gameplay for instant replay.

Save Instant Replay

Save the instant replay buffer to a video file on demand.

On Recording Finished

Event fired when recording completes. Includes file path.

Step-by-Step Setup

Add the Runtime Video Recorder Actor

Drag the BP_RuntimeVideoRecorder actor into your level, or spawn it dynamically from any Blueprint.

// From Level Blueprint or any Actor
SpawnActorBP_RuntimeVideoRecorder
// Store reference for later use
Set VideoRecorder = Return Value

Configure Recording Settings

Set your preferred resolution, framerate, and quality settings either in the Details panel or via Blueprint nodes.

// Configure before starting
VideoRecorderSet Resolution (1920, 1080)
VideoRecorderSet Framerate (60)
VideoRecorderSet Bitrate (8000000) // 8 Mbps

💡 Tip: Use hardware acceleration for best performance. RVR automatically uses WMF on Windows, MediaCodec on Android.

Start Recording on Input

Connect the Start Recording node to your input event. Common triggers include key presses, button clicks, or game events.

// Example: Record when pressing R key
InputAction "Record"Pressed
  → Branch (Is Recording)
    → True: Stop Recording
    → False: Start Recording ("MyVideo.mp4")

Handle Recording Complete Event

Bind to the OnRecordingFinished event to get notified when the video is saved. Use this to show notifications, upload the file, or trigger other actions.

// Bind to the recording finished event
VideoRecorderOn Recording Finished
  → Print String ("Video saved to: " + FilePath)
  → Show Notification Widget

Common Blueprint Implementations

🎮 Hotkey Recording

Toggle recording with a keyboard shortcut.

// Player Controller Blueprint
Input F9Pressed
  → Flip Flop
    → A: Start Recording
    → B: Stop Recording
Full tutorial →

⏪ Instant Replay

Save the last 30 seconds on demand.

// Start buffering on BeginPlay
BeginPlayStart Instant Replay (30)

// Save when player presses button
Input SaveReplaySave Instant Replay
Full tutorial →

👹 Boss Fight Recording

Auto-record epic encounters.

// In Boss Blueprint
On Boss Fight Start
  → Start Recording ("BossFight.mp4")

On Boss Defeated
  → Stop Recording
Full tutorial →

📹 Multi-Camera Recording

Record from security cameras or scene captures.

// Record from render target
SecurityCameraGet Render Target
  → Start Recording From Render Target
Full tutorial →

Why Choose Blueprint Implementation?

Faster Iteration

Change recording behavior instantly without recompiling. Perfect for prototyping and quick adjustments.

👥

Designer Friendly

Designers can implement recording features without programmer involvement. Empower your whole team.

🔧

Full Functionality

100% of RVR features are exposed to Blueprints. No C++ needed for any recording functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record video in Unreal Engine without C++?

Yes! Runtime Video Recorder provides full Blueprint support. All recording functionality—start, stop, pause, instant replay—can be controlled entirely through Blueprint nodes without writing any C++ code.

What Blueprint nodes are available for video recording?

RVR provides nodes for: Start Recording, Stop Recording, Pause Recording, Resume Recording, Start Instant Replay, Save Instant Replay, Record From Render Target, and configuration nodes for resolution, framerate, and quality settings.

How do I set up instant replay with Blueprints?

Call the Start Instant Replay Recording node with your desired buffer duration (e.g., 60 seconds). When you want to save the replay, call Save Instant Replay with a filename. The last N seconds are automatically saved.

Is Blueprint recording as performant as C++?

Yes! The Blueprint nodes call the same optimized C++ code under the hood. There's no performance difference between Blueprint and C++ implementations for recording functionality.

Start Recording with Blueprints Today

No C++ required. Full Blueprint support. Implement in 15 minutes.

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