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Do I Need to Set Display Mirroring on Laptop?

When recording from a laptop via Type-C DP, you typically need to enable display mirroring to capture your main screen content.

Why Mirroring is Needed

Without Mirroring (Extended Display):

  • Laptop treats RecDual Dongle as a second monitor

  • Your desktop is extended to this “monitor”

  • RecDual Dongle records the extended area

  • This is usually blank or shows only what you drag there

With Mirroring (Duplicate Display):

  • Laptop duplicates your main screen

  • RecDual Dongle sees the same content as your main display

  • Recording captures your actual screen

Short Answer

Yes, in most cases you need to enable display mirroring for Type-C DP recording from laptops.

How to Enable Mirroring

Windows 10/11:

  1. Press Windows + P

  2. Select Duplicate

Or:

  1. Right-click desktop → Display settings

  2. Under Multiple displays, select Duplicate these displays

  3. Click Apply

macOS:

  1. Open System Preferences → Displays

  2. Click Arrangement tab

  3. Check Mirror Displays

Or:

  1. Press Cmd + F1 (on some Macs)

Exceptions

When you might NOT need mirroring:

  1. Recording extended content: If you intentionally want to record what’s on the second display

  2. HDMI connection: HDMI output often defaults to mirroring automatically

  3. Presentation mode: Some apps have “presenter view” that works differently

When you definitely need mirroring:

  • Recording gameplay on your main screen

  • Capturing your desktop workflow

  • Recording presentations or tutorials

  • Any time you want to record what you see

Checking Your Setup

Before recording, verify:

  1. Connect RecDual Dongle

  2. Check your laptop display settings

  3. Move your mouse - if it can move to an “invisible” area, you’re in extended mode

  4. Enable mirroring if needed

  5. Test with a short recording

What Gets Recorded in Each Mode

Mode

What RecDual Dongle Records

Extended

Extended desktop area (often blank)

Duplicate/Mirror

Same as your main screen

Second screen only

Your main screen (display off on laptop)

Resolution Considerations

When mirroring:

  • Both displays show the same resolution

  • RecDual Dongle records at up to 1080p@60fps

  • Higher source resolution is scaled down

Tips

  1. Set up before recording - Configure display mode in advance

  2. Remember keyboard shortcuts - Windows + P (Windows), Cmd + F1 (Mac)

  3. Test first - Make a short test recording to verify setup

  4. Disable mirroring after - Return to extended mode for normal use if preferred

Related articles:

How to Record Laptop Screen with RecDual Dongle? Compatible PC/Mac Devices for RecDual Dongle How to Record USB Type-C Devices with RecDual Dongle?