Flashback Recording - Your Personal Time Machine
Chapter 6: Flashback Recording - Your Personal Time Machine
Imagine this scenario: You're in an important Zoom meeting, fully engaged in the conversation, when suddenly your colleague says something profound—something you absolutely need to capture. You fumble for the record button, but by the time you start recording, that brilliant moment is already gone. The key insight, the perfect quote, the crucial decision... lost forever.
Or imagine: Your child says their first word during a video call with grandparents. Everyone is amazed, but you weren't recording. You try to get them to say it again, but the moment has passed.
This is exactly the problem Flashback solves. It's SeaMeet's most unique and powerful feature—a time machine that lets you capture moments from the past.
What is Flashback Recording?
Flashback is SeaMeet's ability to record moments that already happened—up to 2 minutes in the past—without you pressing the record button in advance.
Think of it like a security camera: Security cameras record continuously, overwriting old footage after a set time. If something happens, you can look back at the recording even though you didn't know in advance that you needed to record.
Flashback works the same way, but for your computer audio and video.
The Core Concept: The Ring Buffer
To understand Flashback, you need to understand one key concept: the ring buffer.
What is a Ring Buffer?
Imagine a cassette tape with a very specific behavior:
Normal cassette tape:
- Records until it's full
- Then stops
- You have to flip it or put in a new tape
Ring buffer cassette tape:
- Records continuously
- When it reaches the end, it automatically records over the beginning
- Always maintains the last X minutes (whatever you configured)
- Never stops, never fills up
Analogy: The Moving Window
Think of Flashback like looking through a moving train window:
- The landscape constantly scrolls by
- You can see the last mile you've traveled
- But once scenery passes behind you, it disappears
- The window always shows "the last mile"
Flashback's buffer is that "window"—it always contains the last 30 seconds (or whatever duration you chose) of audio/video.
How the Ring Buffer Works in Practice
Let's say you set Flashback to a 30-second buffer:
Timeline of events:
Time: 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s
│ │ │ │ │ │ │
Buffer: [AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]
↓
After 30 seconds, the buffer is full
Time continues: 60s 70s 80s 90s
│ │ │ │
Buffer: [AAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB]
Old → Being overwritten → New
At 90 seconds: The buffer contains seconds 60-90
(The first 30 seconds are gone)
What this means:
- The buffer is always recording
- It keeps only the most recent 30 seconds
- Old content is automatically deleted to make room for new content
- When you press "Record," SeaMeet grabs the current buffer + starts recording
Flashback vs. Normal Recording
Let's compare how a normal recording works versus Flashback:
Normal Recording
Scenario: Something important happens at 2:00 PM
1:55 PM - You think: "I should record this meeting"
1:56 PM - You click "Record" button
1:57 PM - Recording starts
2:00 PM - Important thing happens ✓ CAPTURED
Result: You captured it because you planned ahead
The problem: You had to know in advance that something important was coming.
Flashback Recording
Scenario: Something important happens at 2:00 PM
1:30 PM - You enable Flashback (30s buffer)
1:30-2:00 PM - Buffer fills up, continuously recording
2:00 PM - Important thing happens
2:00 PM - You think: "Oh! I need to record that!"
2:00 PM - You click "Record"
↓
SeaMeet grabs the last 30 seconds from buffer
(1:59:30 - 2:00:00)
+
Starts recording from now forward
(2:00:00 onwards)
Result: Recording contains 1:59:30 - 2:00:30
✓ You got the important moment even though you
didn't press record until AFTER it happened!
The magic: You can press record AFTER the important moment, and still capture it!
Two Types of Flashback
SeaMeet offers two Flashback modes: Audio-only and Video + Audio.
Audio Flashback (AUDIO_ONLY)
What it records: Just audio (microphone, system audio, or both) Buffer duration: 30 seconds (fixed) Memory usage: ~30-50 MB of RAM Indicator: ⏪ icon or "FLASHBACK 30S"
Best for:
- Recording meetings
- Capturing voice conversations
- When you only need audio
- Lower memory usage
When to use:
- Zoom/Teams meetings
- Phone calls
- Any audio-only situation
- When your computer has limited RAM
Visual states:
- Gray: Flashback off
- Amber/Yellow: Buffer filling up
- Green: Buffer full, ready to record
Video Flashback (VIDEO_FULLSCREEN)
What it records: Video of your screen + audio Buffer duration: Configurable (10s, 30s, 60s, 90s, or 120s) Memory usage: 50-600 MB depending on duration and quality Indicator: 🎥 icon or "FLASHBACK 10S/30S/60S/90S/120S"
Best for:
- Capturing important screen moments
- Recording video calls
- Capturing unexpected visual events
- Gaming highlights
When to use:
- When you need to see what happened
- Video presentations
- Screen sharing sessions
- Any visual content
Configuration options:
- 10 seconds (~50 MB RAM)
- 30 seconds (~150 MB RAM) - default
- 60 seconds (~300 MB RAM)
- 90 seconds (~450 MB RAM)
- 120 seconds (~600 MB RAM)
Which duration to choose:
- 10 seconds: Fastest fill, least memory, good for quick reactions
- 30 seconds: Best balance (default recommendation)
- 60-120 seconds: More safety buffer, but uses significant RAM
How to Enable and Use Flashback
Let's walk through using Flashback step-by-step.
Step 1: Enable Flashback
Method 1: Through the Capture Hub (main window)
- In the left panel of the Capture Hub, find the Flashback toggle to the left of the big red mic circle
- Click it to cycle through modes:
- OFF → AUDIO ONLY → SCREEN → OFF
- Stop on your desired mode
The Flashback toggle in the Capture Hub shows a ⚡ lightning bolt icon when the buffer is arming or ready, making it easy to see at a glance that Flashback is active.
Method 2: Through Settings
- Click your profile icon → Settings
- Go to "Flashback" section
- Select mode:
- Off
- Audio only
- Screen (video)
- Set buffer duration (for screen mode)
- Click Apply
Visual indicator in the Capture Hub left panel:
OFF: Ring icon — no glow, gray (Flashback disabled)
AUDIO: ⚡ icon — amber glow (buffer filling)
AUDIO: ⚡ icon — green/lit (buffer ready)
SCREEN: ⚡ icon — amber/purple (buffer filling)
SCREEN: ⚡ icon — green/lit (buffer ready)
Step 2: Wait for the Buffer to Fill
After enabling Flashback, there's a brief waiting period:
For Audio Flashback:
- Takes about 27 seconds to reach "ready" state
- Status shows "Filling buffer..." or amber color
- Once 90% full, turns green and says "Ready"
For Video Flashback:
- Takes 90% of your configured duration to be ready
- 10s buffer: ~9 seconds to fill
- 30s buffer: ~27 seconds to fill
- 60s buffer: ~54 seconds to fill
- etc.
- Shows progress indicator or "Buffering..."
- Turns green when ready
Why you need to wait: The buffer needs to fill up with actual content before it's useful. An empty buffer can't give you past moments!
The indicator colors:
- Gray: Flashback is disabled
- Amber/Yellow: Buffer is filling (not ready yet)
- Green: Buffer is full and ready
Step 3: Press Record When You Need It
When something important happens:
- Press the Record button 🔴 (or use keyboard shortcut)
- SeaMeet immediately:
- Captures the current buffer (the last 30 seconds or whatever you configured)
- Starts recording from that moment forward
- Combines them into one seamless file
- Keep recording until you're done
- Press Stop ⏹️ when finished
What happens in the file:
[Buffer content: last 30 seconds] + [New recording from now on]
↓
One continuous file!
Example:
- Buffer contains: 1:59:30 - 2:00:00 (last 30 seconds)
- You press Record at 2:00:00
- Recording continues: 2:00:00 - 2:05:00
- Final file: 1:59:30 - 2:05:00 (5 minutes 30 seconds total)
- You captured 30 seconds of "past" + 5 minutes of "present"
Step 4: The Flashback Continues
Here's the beautiful part: After you stop recording, Flashback keeps running!
This means:
- You can make multiple recordings with Flashback
- Each one captures a different moment from the past
- The buffer keeps filling continuously
- You're always ready for the next important moment
Example workflow:
9:00 AM - Enable Audio Flashback
9:00 AM - Buffer starts filling
9:01 AM - Buffer ready (green)
10:15 AM - Important comment made
10:15 AM - Press Record
10:15 AM - Flashback captures 30s before + records forward
10:20 AM - Stop recording
→ File saved: "Flashback_Meeting_101501.webm"
→ Flashback continues running!
10:45 AM - Another important moment
10:45 AM - Press Record again
10:45 AM - Flashback captures different 30s before + records forward
10:50 AM - Stop recording
→ File saved: "Flashback_Meeting_104501.webm"
→ Flashback still running!
One buffer, multiple captures!
Memory Usage Explained
Flashback uses your computer's RAM (memory) to store the buffer. Understanding this helps you use Flashback effectively without slowing down your computer.
How Much RAM Does Flashback Use?
Audio Flashback (30 seconds):
- ~30-50 MB of RAM
- Very lightweight
- Won't affect most computers
Video Flashback (varies by duration):
| Duration | Approximate RAM Usage | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 10 seconds | ~50 MB | Minimal impact, quick reactions |
| 30 seconds | ~150 MB | Balanced (recommended) |
| 60 seconds | ~300 MB | More safety, moderate impact |
| 90 seconds | ~450 MB | Extended buffer, higher impact |
| 120 seconds | ~600 MB | Maximum buffer, significant impact |
What affects memory usage:
- Screen resolution: 4K uses more than 1080p
- Frame rate: 60fps uses more than 30fps
- Quality setting: Higher quality = more memory
- Content complexity: Moving video uses more than static screens
Checking Your Available Memory
Before enabling Video Flashback with long durations, check your RAM:
Windows:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc (opens Task Manager)
- Click "Performance" tab
- Look at "Memory" section
- Check "Available" amount
Mac:
- Open Activity Monitor (from Applications > Utilities)
- Click "Memory" tab
- Look at "Memory Pressure" graph
- Check how much is "Free"
Rule of thumb:
- 8 GB total RAM: Use 10-30 second buffer
- 16 GB total RAM: Can use 30-60 second buffer comfortably
- 32 GB+ total RAM: Can use any duration
Low-Memory Mode
If you're concerned about memory usage:
Enable Low-Memory Mode:
- Go to Settings ⚙️
- Find "Flashback Settings"
- Enable "Low-Memory Mode"
What it does:
- Automatically reduces video quality if memory gets tight
- Monitors RAM usage
- Warns you if Flashback is using too much memory
- Helps prevent system slowdown
When to use it:
- On computers with 8 GB RAM or less
- When running other memory-intensive apps
- If you notice your computer slowing down
Practical Use Cases and Scenarios
Let's explore real-world scenarios where Flashback shines.
Scenario 1: The Missed Meeting Moment
The situation: You're in a long strategy meeting. Your mind wanders for just a moment, and you hear your boss say, "...and that's why we're going with Plan B. Any objections?"
Wait, what? What was Plan B? You missed the explanation!
Without Flashback:
- You awkwardly ask them to repeat
- Or you miss crucial context
- Or you interrupt the flow
With Flashback:
- You enabled Audio Flashback when you joined the meeting
- The buffer has been quietly recording
- You press Record immediately
- SeaMeet captures the last 30 seconds (including the Plan B explanation)
- You now have a recording of what you missed
- You can review it after the meeting
Result: You captured the important moment even though you weren't paying attention when it happened!
Scenario 2: The Unexpected Customer Call
The situation: You're working when the phone rings. It's an angry customer with a complex problem. They start explaining the issue, but you're scrambling to open your case management system and find a pen.
By the time you're ready to take notes, they've already explained half the problem.
Without Flashback:
- "Can you repeat that?"
- Customer gets frustrated
- You miss important details
With Flashback:
- You have Audio Flashback always enabled during work hours
- When the call comes in, press Record
- Flashback captures the beginning of the call
- You have the entire conversation recorded
- You can focus on helping the customer instead of frantic note-taking
Result: Better customer service, accurate records, less stress.
Scenario 3: The Gaming Highlight
The situation: You're playing an intense game. You pull off an incredible combo—something you've never done before. Your friends are amazed. You want to save this moment.
But by the time you think to start recording, the moment has passed.
Without Flashback:
- Try to recreate the moment (and fail)
- Or just tell the story without proof
- The highlight is lost
With Video Flashback:
- You enable Video Flashback (30s or 60s) before playing
- You play normally (Flashback is always buffering)
- You hit the incredible combo
- Immediately press Record
- Flashback captures the gameplay leading up to the combo
- You record the reaction and aftermath
Result: You have a video of the entire sequence, not just the aftermath!
Scenario 4: The Important Decision
The situation: You're in a video call with your lawyer discussing a contract. They say, "Now, this clause here is really important because..." and explain the implications.
You want to make absolutely sure you understand, and you want to reference this explanation later.
Without Flashback:
- Try to take notes quickly
- Miss nuances in the explanation
- Can't review it later
With Flashback:
- Enable Audio Flashback at the start of the call
- When they get to the important part, press Record
- Flashback captures the explanation from the beginning
- You have the complete explanation recorded
- Can review it later, share with your partner, etc.
Result: Complete, accurate record of important legal advice.
Scenario 5: The Webinar Wonder
The situation: You're watching an educational webinar. The presenter says something profound—an insight that perfectly solves a problem you've been struggling with.
You want to capture this wisdom, but the webinar is still going.
Without Flashback:
- Try to remember it
- Or take notes and hope you capture the nuance
- Or stop listening while you try to start recording
With Flashback:
- Enable Audio Flashback when webinar starts
- When you hear the profound insight, press Record
- Flashback captures the buildup and the insight itself
- Continue listening to the webinar
- Stop recording when you've captured what you need
Result: You have the key insight recorded, and you didn't miss the rest of the webinar!
Flashback Settings and Configuration
Let's explore all the Flashback settings and how to configure them optimally.
Accessing Flashback Settings
Method 1: Capture Hub (Quick Toggle)
- Click the Flashback toggle on the left panel of the Capture Hub
- Cycles: OFF → AUDIO → SCREEN → OFF
- Fast for quick changes; ⚡ icon appears when armed
Method 2: Settings Menu
- Click your profile icon → Settings
- Navigate to "Flashback" section
- More detailed configuration options (buffer duration, auto-start, low-memory mode)
Flashback Mode Options
Mode: OFF
- No buffer running
- No memory usage
- Normal recording only
Mode: AUDIO_ONLY
- 30-second audio buffer
- ~30-50 MB RAM usage
- Captures microphone and/or system audio
- Good for meetings and calls
Mode: VIDEO_FULLSCREEN
- 10-120 second configurable buffer
- 50-600 MB RAM usage depending on duration
- Captures screen video + audio
- Good for visual content and gaming
Buffer Duration (Video Mode Only)
Available options:
10 seconds:
- Uses ~50 MB RAM
- Good for: Quick reactions, gaming highlights
- Trade-off: Short window, but fills fast
30 seconds (Recommended):
- Uses ~150 MB RAM
- Good for: Most use cases, meetings, general use
- Trade-off: Best balance of safety and memory
60 seconds:
- Uses ~300 MB RAM
- Good for: When you need more reaction time
- Trade-off: Uses more memory, takes longer to fill
90 seconds:
- Uses ~450 MB RAM
- Good for: Extended safety window
- Trade-off: Significant memory usage
120 seconds:
- Uses ~600 MB RAM
- Good for: Maximum protection
- Trade-off: High memory usage, very long fill time
Which to choose:
- Default/First time: 30 seconds
- Limited RAM: 10 seconds
- Gaming/Action: 30-60 seconds
- Presentations/Slow-paced: 30 seconds
- Maximum safety: 60-120 seconds (if you have RAM)
Auto-Start Buffer
Setting: "Auto-start Buffer" Options:
- Off: You must manually enable Flashback each time
- Audio: Automatically starts Audio Flashback when SeaMeet launches
- Screen: Automatically starts Video Flashback when SeaMeet launches
When to use auto-start:
- Use "Audio" if you use Flashback frequently for meetings
- Use "Screen" if you often capture screen moments
- Use "Off" if you want to control when it's active
- Use "Off" if you're concerned about memory usage
Privacy consideration: With auto-start enabled, Flashback begins recording as soon as SeaMeet opens. Make sure this aligns with your privacy preferences.
Low-Memory Mode
Setting: "Low-Memory Mode" Toggle: On/Off
What it does:
- Monitors available RAM
- Automatically reduces video quality if memory runs low
- Warns you if Flashback is using too much memory
- Prevents system slowdowns
When to enable:
- Computers with 8 GB RAM or less
- When running multiple applications
- If you notice performance issues
- When using long buffer durations (60s+)
The Technical Magic (Simplified)
For the curious, here's a simplified explanation of how Flashback works technically.
The "Hijack" Pattern
When Flashback is enabled and you press Record, SeaMeet uses a clever technique:
Step 1: The Buffer
- Flashback creates a MediaRecorder (the browser's recording engine)
- It continuously records to a buffer in RAM
- Old data is discarded, new data is added
- The MediaRecorder runs the whole time
Step 2: When You Press Record Instead of starting a NEW recorder:
- SeaMeet "hijacks" the existing one
- It captures all the buffered chunks
- It attaches these to the beginning of your new recording
- It continues using the same MediaRecorder
Step 3: The Result You get a single continuous file:
- Beginning: The buffered "past" content
- Middle: The transition point (seamless)
- End: Your new "present" recording
Why this is brilliant:
- No file concatenation (no glitches at the join)
- Same codec and settings throughout
- Single WebM file with consistent headers
- Works reliably in most players
The Phase 1 Limitation: Current implementation (Phase 1) has minor limitations:
- Possible tiny timestamp jump at the merge point
- Duplicate WebM headers (doesn't affect playback in most players)
- These will be fixed in Phase 2 with webm-muxer library
Does it matter? For 90% of use cases, no. The files play perfectly in:
- ✓ VLC Media Player
- ✓ Chrome/Edge/Firefox
- ✓ Most modern players
Only very strict players might notice the minor discontinuities.
Troubleshooting Flashback Issues
"The buffer won't fill / stays at 0%"
Possible causes:
- Flashback is disabled - Check that it's set to Audio or Video, not Off
- No audio source - Make sure microphone or system audio is enabled
- Memory issue - Computer may have insufficient RAM
- Permission problem - Recording permissions not granted
Solutions:
- Toggle Flashback off and back on
- Check that audio is being detected (look for waveform activity)
- Check available RAM
- Restart SeaMeet
- Check permissions in system settings
"Flashback button is grayed out / can't enable"
Possible causes:
- Video mode conflicts - Already recording video
- Resource limitations - Not enough RAM
- Permissions - Missing screen recording permission
Solutions:
- Stop any active recording first
- Check available memory
- Grant screen recording permissions (Mac: System Preferences)
- Restart SeaMeet
"The recording doesn't include the buffer / missing the past"
Possible causes:
- Pressed Record before buffer was ready - Wait for green/ready indicator
- Buffer wasn't filling - Check Flashback was actually enabled
- Switched modes - Changing from Audio to Video discards the buffer
- Buffer too short - 10 seconds may not capture what you expected
Solutions:
- Wait for buffer to show "Ready" or green color
- Verify Flashback is enabled (not Off)
- Use longer buffer duration
- Don't switch modes while buffer is filling
"My computer is slow with Flashback enabled"
Possible causes:
- Insufficient RAM - Video buffer using too much memory
- Long buffer duration - 120s buffer on 8GB system
- 4K screen - High resolution uses more memory
- Other apps - Too many programs running
Solutions:
- Enable Low-Memory Mode
- Reduce buffer duration (try 30s or 10s)
- Lower video quality settings
- Close other applications
- Use Audio Flashback instead of Video
"Flashback stopped working after I switched modes"
This is normal! When you switch modes (Audio ↔ Video), SeaMeet discards the old buffer to prevent problems:
- Audio and Video buffers are incompatible
- You can't mix them in one file
- The system starts fresh with a new buffer
Solution: Wait for the new buffer to fill (30-60 seconds) before relying on it.
"I see duplicate content / weird jump in the recording"
This is a known Phase 1 limitation.
The transition between buffered content and new recording can have:
- Minor timestamp discontinuity
- Tiny overlap or gap
- Duplicate headers (invisible in playback)
Does it matter?
- Most players handle it fine
- VLC, Chrome, modern players: no problem
- Only strict/old players might notice
Fixed in Phase 2: Future updates will use webm-muxer for perfect merging.
Best Practices for Flashback
General Tips
1. Enable Flashback Early
- Turn it on when you start your work session
- Let it fill while you're doing other things
- Don't wait until you think you need it
2. Use Audio Flashback as Default
- Lower memory usage
- Good for most situations
- Enable Video Flashback only when needed
3. Keep an Eye on the Indicator
- Gray = Off (not recording)
- Amber = Filling (not ready yet)
- Green = Ready (can capture past)
4. Choose Buffer Duration Wisely
- More isn't always better
- 30 seconds is the sweet spot for most users
- Longer buffers = more memory = slower computer
5. Don't Rely on Flashback Alone
- Flashback is for "catching" moments
- For planned recordings, start recording normally
- Use Flashback as a safety net, not your main strategy
Memory Management
If you have 8 GB RAM:
- Stick with Audio Flashback (30s)
- Or Video Flashback 10s
- Enable Low-Memory Mode
- Close browser tabs while recording
If you have 16 GB RAM:
- Audio Flashback: any duration
- Video Flashback: up to 60s comfortably
- Can use other apps simultaneously
If you have 32 GB+ RAM:
- Use any settings you want
- Video Flashback up to 120s
- No major concerns
Privacy Considerations
Flashback is always recording when enabled:
- Remember it's capturing everything
- Don't say/do things you wouldn't want recorded
- Disable when not needed
- Files are stored locally (not cloud)
Auto-start considerations:
- With auto-start, recording begins immediately
- Make sure this aligns with your privacy needs
- Good for work computers
- Consider manual start for personal use
Privacy and Security with Flashback
Flashback is designed with privacy and security as top priorities. Here's everything you need to know about how your data is protected:
100% Local Processing
Flashback runs entirely on your machine:
- No cloud sync or upload of any kind
- No internet connection required for Flashback to work
- All processing happens locally on your device
- Your data never leaves your computer
Why this matters:
- Your recordings and buffer content stay under your control
- No risk of cloud data breaches
- Complete privacy from third parties
- Works even when you're offline
RAM-Only Storage
Flashback buffer lives in memory, not on disk:
| Feature | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Buffer storage | Stored in RAM only (never written to disk) |
| Before saving | Data exists only while Flashback is active |
| After closing | Buffer is instantly cleared from memory |
| When you save | Only then is data written to your disk |
What this means for you:
- Buffer content is temporary and ephemeral
- Nothing is saved unless you explicitly choose to save it
- Close Flashback, and buffer is gone forever
- No leftover files to worry about
- No need to manually clean up buffer
Example scenario:
- You enable Flashback for a meeting
- Buffer captures 30 seconds continuously in RAM
- Meeting ends, you close SeaMeet
- Buffer is instantly cleared from RAM
- No trace of the recording exists (unless you saved it)
Your Data is Protected
Security guarantees:
- ✅ Local-only: No cloud storage or synchronization
- ✅ RAM-only: Buffer never touches disk unless saved
- ✅ No telemetry: Flashback doesn't send usage data
- ✅ Encrypted at rest: Saved recordings use system encryption (if enabled)
- ✅ No third-party access: Only you have access to your recordings
What Flashback does NOT do:
- ❌ Upload recordings to cloud
- ❌ Share data with anyone
- ❌ Track your usage patterns
- ❌ Collect analytics on your content
- ❌ Store anything permanently without your knowledge
Ethical Use and Consent
Important: Flashback is powerful—use it responsibly.
Always obtain consent:
- Inform others before recording them
- Disclose that you're using recording features
- Get explicit permission in professional settings
- Respect local recording laws in your jurisdiction
When consent is required:
- Recording colleagues in meetings
- Capturing video calls with multiple participants
- Recording conversations in jurisdictions with two-party consent laws
- Any situation where others expect privacy
Best practices for consent:
- Before the meeting: "I'll be recording our session for my notes"
- During the meeting: Announce when you start recording
- In writing: Include notice in meeting agendas or invitations
- Check local laws: Two-party consent laws in some US states
When consent is NOT required:
- Recording yourself
- Capturing your own screen without others
- Recording audio for your own notes (where permitted by law)
- Personal use in private settings
Flashback vs. Cloud Bots: Privacy Comparison
| Feature | Cloud Recording Bots (Otter, Fireflies) | SeaMeet Flashback |
|---|---|---|
| Data location | Cloud servers | Your local machine |
| Internet required | Yes | No (works offline) |
| Data encryption | Variable, cloud-dependent | Local-only (you control encryption) |
| Third-party access | Yes (bot providers) | No |
| Subscription needed | Yes | No |
| Privacy risk | Medium (cloud breaches) | Minimal (local only) |
| Data ownership | Shared with provider | 100% yours |
Summary: Why Flashback is Revolutionary
Flashback solves a fundamental problem in recording: You can't know in advance what moments will be important.
Traditional recording:
- Requires planning ahead
- You must start recording BEFORE the moment
- Misses spontaneous, unexpected moments
Flashback recording:
- No planning required
- Captures moments AFTER they happen
- Always ready for the unexpected
- Never miss an important moment again
It's the difference between:
- "I wish I had recorded that"
- "I'm glad I captured that"
Quick Start Guide
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FLASHBACK QUICK START │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ 1. ENABLE FLASHBACK │
│ • Click Flashback toggle in Capture Hub left panel, OR │
│ • Go to Settings → Flashback │
│ • Choose: OFF / AUDIO / SCREEN │
│ • ⚡ icon appears when buffer is arming or ready │
│ │
│ 2. WAIT FOR READY │
│ • Amber = Filling (wait ~27 seconds) │
│ • Green = Ready (can capture past) │
│ │
│ 3. WHEN SOMETHING IMPORTANT HAPPENS │
│ • Press Record 🔴 │
│ • Flashback grabs the buffer (past) │
│ • Continues recording (present) │
│ │
│ 4. STOP WHEN DONE │
│ • Press Stop ⏹️ │
│ • File contains: Past + Present seamlessly │
│ │
│ MEMORY USAGE: │
│ • Audio (30s): ~30-50 MB RAM │
│ • Video (30s): ~150 MB RAM │
│ • Video (10s): ~50 MB RAM │
│ • Video (120s): ~600 MB RAM │
│ │
│ RECOMMENDED: │
│ • Start with Audio Flashback (30s) │
│ • Use Video Flashback for visual content │
│ • 30-second buffer is best for most users │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Last updated: 2026-02-17 Part of the SeaMeet User Manual Previous: Chapter 5 - Understanding File Formats Next: Chapter 7 - Auto-Detection
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