# How to Implement Video Recording with ScreenRecorderHelpers During Test Execution > Implement video recording during test execution using ScreenRecorderHelpers in anhtester/automationframeworkselenium. Set VIDEO_RECORD=yes in config.properties for automatic Monte Screen Recorder management. - Repository: [Anh Tester/automationframeworkselenium](https://github.com/anhtester/automationframeworkselenium) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-02-24 --- **To implement video recording with ScreenRecorderHelpers during test execution in the anhtester/automationframeworkselenium project, set `VIDEO_RECORD=yes` in `config.properties` and let the TestNG TestListener automatically manage the Monte Screen Recorder lifecycle for each test method.** The anhtester/automationframeworkselenium repository provides a built-in video capture capability that integrates directly with TestNG listeners. This implementation leverages the **Monte Screen Recorder** library wrapped in a custom helper class to generate individual AVI files for every test execution without requiring manual recorder management in your test scripts. ## Architecture Overview The video recording system consists of three coordinated components: - **`ScreenRecorderHelpers`** – Extends `org.monte.screenrecorder.ScreenRecorder` to handle file naming and directory creation - **`TestListener`** – Global TestNG listener that initializes the recorder and triggers start/stop events synchronized with test lifecycle hooks - **`FrameworkConstants`** – Loads the `VIDEO_RECORD` property from `src/test/resources/config/config.properties` to determine if recording should activate The recorder only initializes when three conditions are met: the `VIDEO_RECORD` property equals `"yes"`, the property is non-null, and the environment is not headless (checked via `GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless()`). ## Enabling Video Recording in Configuration Create or modify `src/test/resources/config/config.properties` to activate the feature: ```properties # Enable video capture VIDEO_RECORD = yes # Optional: Customize output directory (default is exports/ExportData/Videos) EXPORT_VIDEO_PATH = exports/ExportData/Videos ``` The framework reads these constants during static initialization of `FrameworkConstants`. If `VIDEO_RECORD` is missing or set to any value other than `"yes"`, the `TestListener` skips recorder initialization to conserve resources. ## The ScreenRecorderHelpers Implementation Located at [`src/main/java/com/anhtester/helpers/ScreenRecorderHelpers.java`](https://github.com/anhtester/automationframeworkselenium/blob/main/src/main/java/com/anhtester/helpers/ScreenRecorderHelpers.java), this class extends the Monte Screen Recorder to provide test-specific file naming and directory management. ### Constructor and Configuration The constructor configures the recorder with AVI format, 15 FPS frame rate, and 24-bit color depth: ```java public ScreenRecorderHelpers() throws IOException, AWTException { super(GraphicsEnvironment.getLocalGraphicsEnvironment() .getDefaultScreenDevice().getDefaultConfiguration(), new Rectangle(0, 0, Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit().getScreenSize().width, Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit().getScreenSize().height), new Format(MediaTypeKey, FormatKeys.MediaType.FILE, MimeTypeKey, MIME_AVI), new Format(MediaTypeKey, FormatKeys.MediaType.VIDEO, EncodingKey, ENCODING_AVI_TECHSMITH_SCREEN_CAPTURE, CompressorNameKey, ENCODING_AVI_TECHSMITH_SCREEN_CAPTURE, DepthKey, 24, FrameRateKey, Rational.valueOf(15), QualityKey, 1.0f, KeyFrameIntervalKey, 15 * 60), null, // audio disabled new File("./" + FrameworkConstants.EXPORT_VIDEO_PATH + "/")); } ``` ### Recording Control Methods The class exposes simplified methods for the listener to control recording: ```java public void startRecording(String fileName) { this.fileName = fileName; try { start(); } catch (IOException e) { throw new RuntimeException(e); } } public void stopRecording(boolean keepFile) { try { stop(); } catch (IOException e) { throw new RuntimeException(e); } if (!keepFile) { deleteRecording(); } } ``` When `startRecording()` is called, the helper stores the test name and generates a unique file name following the pattern `_dd-MM-yyyy HH-mm-ss.avi`. The overridden `createMovieFile` method ensures the target directory exists before writing. ## TestListener Integration The `TestListener` class at [`src/test/java/com/anhtester/listeners/TestListener.java`](https://github.com/anhtester/automationframeworkselenium/blob/main/src/test/java/com/anhtester/listeners/TestListener.java) manages the recorder lifecycle through TestNG hooks. ### Initialization In the listener constructor, the recorder instantiates only when video recording is enabled and the environment supports graphics: ```java public TestListener() { try { boolean enableRecord = VIDEO_RECORD != null && VIDEO_RECORD.toLowerCase().trim().equals("yes"); if (enableRecord && !GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless()) { screenRecorder = new ScreenRecorderHelpers(); LogUtils.info("Screen recorder initialized."); } else { LogUtils.info("Skip screen recorder: VIDEO_RECORD=" + VIDEO_RECORD + ", Headless=" + GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless()); } } catch (Exception e) { LogUtils.error("Failed to init ScreenRecorder: " + e.getMessage()); } } ``` ### Lifecycle Hooks The listener starts recording when a test begins: ```java @Override public void onTestStart(ITestResult iTestResult) { LogUtils.info("Test case: " + getTestName(iTestResult) + " is starting..."); if (VIDEO_RECORD.toLowerCase().trim().equals("yes") && screenRecorder != null) { screenRecorder.startRecording(getTestName(iTestResult)); } } ``` Recording stops when the test completes, regardless of outcome: ```java @Override public void onTestSuccess(ITestResult iTestResult) { // ... other actions ... if (VIDEO_RECORD.trim().toLowerCase().equals("yes") && screenRecorder != null) { WebUI.sleep(2); screenRecorder.stopRecording(true); // true preserves the file } } ``` The same `stopRecording(true)` call appears in `onTestFailure` and `onTestSkipped`, ensuring every test produces a video file when the feature is active. ## Running Tests and Accessing Videos Execute your TestNG suite normally via Maven: ```bash mvn clean test ``` After execution, video files appear in the configured export directory: ``` exports/ExportData/Videos/ ├─ LoginTest_12-03-2026 14-05-30.avi ├─ AddProductTest_12-03-2026 14-06-02.avi └─ ... ``` Each file corresponds to a single test method, making it easy to correlate failures with their visual recordings. ### Conditional Video Retention To retain videos only for failed tests, modify the `stopRecording` call in the listener's `onTestSuccess` method: ```java // Delete video on success, keep on failure screenRecorder.stopRecording(iTestResult.getStatus() != ITestResult.SUCCESS); ``` ## Required Dependencies The video capability requires the Monte Screen Recorder library declared in [`pom.xml`](https://github.com/anhtester/automationframeworkselenium/blob/main/pom.xml): ```xml com.github.stephenc.monte monte-screen-recorder 0.7.7.0 ``` Without this dependency, `ScreenRecorderHelpers` cannot compile or function. ## Summary - **Enable recording** by setting `VIDEO_RECORD=yes` in `config.properties` - **ScreenRecorderHelpers** wraps the Monte library to generate unique AVI files with timestamps - **TestListener** automatically manages recorder lifecycle through `onTestStart`, `onTestSuccess`, `onTestFailure`, and `onTestSkipped` - **File naming** follows the pattern `_.avi` in the `EXPORT_VIDEO_PATH` directory - **Headless environments** automatically disable recording to prevent initialization errors - **Video retention** is controlled by the `keepFile` boolean parameter in `stopRecording()` ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I disable video recording for specific test methods? The framework controls recording globally through the `VIDEO_RECORD` property. To disable recording for specific tests, you would need to modify the `TestListener` to check for a custom annotation or test group before calling `startRecording()`, as the current implementation treats the flag as a global on/off switch for the entire suite. ### What video format does ScreenRecorderHelpers produce? The recorder generates AVI files using the TechSmith Screen Capture codec (`ENCODING_AVI_TECHSMITH_SCREEN_CAPTURE`) with 24-bit color depth, 15 frames per second, and maximum quality (1.0f). These settings are hardcoded in the `ScreenRecorderHelpers` constructor at [`src/main/java/com/anhtester/helpers/ScreenRecorderHelpers.java`](https://github.com/anhtester/automationframeworkselenium/blob/main/src/main/java/com/anhtester/helpers/ScreenRecorderHelpers.java). ### Can I record video in headless mode? No. The `TestListener` explicitly checks `GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless()` during initialization and skips recorder creation if running in a headless environment. This prevents `AWTException` errors since the Monte Screen Recorder requires a graphical display to capture the screen buffer. ### How do I change the video output directory? Modify the `EXPORT_VIDEO_PATH` value in `src/test/resources/config/config.properties`. The default path is `exports/ExportData/Videos`, but any relative or absolute path can be specified. The `ScreenRecorderHelpers` constructor automatically creates the directory structure if it does not exist.