AMD Radeon Software: Record & Stream Guide

Yes, AMD Radeon Software can record and stream your gameplay. The built-in ReLive feature lets you capture video clips, take screenshots, and broadcast to streaming platforms without needing third-party software. This guide explains how to set up and use these features, along with common issues and tips.

What Is AMD Radeon Software ReLive?

ReLive is the recording and streaming module inside AMD Radeon Software, the driver suite for AMD graphics cards. It works with most Radeon GPUs from the RX 400 series onward, including integrated Radeon graphics in AMD APUs. ReLive uses the GPU’s dedicated hardware encoders (VCE or VCN) to capture video with minimal performance impact, similar to NVIDIA’s ShadowPlay.

How to Enable and Use ReLive

1. Open AMD Radeon Software by right-clicking the desktop and selecting “AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition” (or from the Start menu).
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) and select the “Record & Stream” tab.
3. Toggle “Record Desktop” if you want to capture the whole screen, not just games.
4. Set your desired recording options: resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and whether to save to a hotkey or use Instant Replay.
5. Use the default hotkeys: Ctrl+Shift+E to start/stop recording, Ctrl+Shift+S to take a screenshot, and Ctrl+Shift+R to toggle Instant Replay (saves the last 30 seconds by default).

You can customize these hotkeys in the same menu. For streaming, click the “Stream” tab within Record & Stream, choose your platform (e.g., Twitch, YouTube), log in, and set your stream quality.

Key Recording Features Explained

• Instant Replay: Continuously records to a buffer so you can save the last few seconds or minutes after something cool happens. Set the duration from 5 seconds to 5 minutes.
• Manual Recording: Start and stop recording on demand. You can set a max recording time to avoid filling your drive.
• Scene Editor: Add webcam overlays, custom text, and images to your recordings or streams.
• Gallery: A built-in media browser for your captures, where you can rename, delete, or upload clips.

Setting Up a Stream

To stream directly from ReLive:

1. In the Stream tab, choose your streaming service (Twitch, YouTube, or a custom RTMP server).
2. Log in or paste your stream key (found in your streaming platform’s dashboard).
3. Select your video encoder (AMD HW H.264 or HEVC), resolution, and bitrate. For 1080p60, a bitrate of 6000–8000 kbps is typical, but check your platform’s recommendations.
4. Start streaming from the same tab or use the hotkey Ctrl+Shift+E (same as recording).

Note that streaming requires a stable upload connection. If your internet is slow, lower the bitrate or resolution to avoid dropped frames.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Recording not working: Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date. Also, close any other recording software (like OBS) that might conflict.
• No audio in recordings: Check the Audio tab in Record & Stream settings. Ensure “Record Microphone” and “Record Desktop Audio” are enabled, and select the correct devices.
• High performance impact: Lower the recording resolution or frame rate. Also, avoid using Instant Replay with a long buffer on older GPUs.
• Stream lag or dropped frames: Reduce bitrate or resolution. Also, try switching the encoder to “AMD HW H.264” if it’s not already.
• ReLive option missing: Some older or entry-level GPUs may not support ReLive. Check AMD’s compatibility list for your specific model.

ReLive vs. OBS Studio

ReLive is simpler and has lower overhead for basic recording and streaming, making it great for beginners. OBS Studio offers far more control: custom scenes, filters, plugins, and multi-platform streaming. If you need advanced features like scene transitions or per-source audio, OBS is the better choice. For quick clips or casual streaming, ReLive is perfectly adequate.

Is It Free and Safe?

Yes, ReLive is completely free and included with the AMD drivers. It does not contain ads or spyware. However, be aware that recording or streaming copyrighted content (like movies or music) may violate platform policies. Also, always download Radeon Software from AMD’s official website to avoid malicious versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ReLive work with any game?

ReLive works with most fullscreen and borderless games, as well as desktop capture. Some games with anti-cheat (like Valorant) may block overlay features, but recording usually still works. If you encounter issues, try running the game in borderless windowed mode.

Can I record in 4K?

Yes, if your GPU supports 4K encoding. You can set the recording resolution to 3840×2160 in the settings. Keep in mind that 4K video files are large and may require a fast SSD for smooth recording.

Why is my recording choppy?

This usually happens when the bitrate is too low for the resolution/frame rate, or when the GPU is overloaded. Increase the bitrate (up to 50 Mbps for local recording) or lower the resolution. Also, close background applications that use GPU resources.

Can I record my voice separately?

Yes, ReLive can record microphone audio and desktop audio as separate tracks in the same file. In the Audio settings, enable “Separate Microphone Track” (if available) or use the Scene Editor to add a separate audio source.

Does ReLive affect FPS?

Modern Radeon GPUs have dedicated encoding hardware, so the impact is usually 1-5% FPS loss. On older or lower-end GPUs, the impact can be higher. If you notice a drop, try lowering the recording resolution or frame rate.

How do I change the save location?

In Record & Stream settings, under “Recording,” click “Browse” next to “Save to” and choose a folder. Make sure the drive has enough free space; a single hour of 1080p60 at 50 Mbps is about 22 GB.

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