A recording folder can exist while the intended drive is absent
Check which filesystem contains the actual recording path. An existing directory name alone does not prove the external drive is mounted there.
The journal
The viewing journal — page 58
Practical reading about streaming, devices and the decisions behind a better prepared setup.
Free storage bytes may coexist with exhausted file metadata capacity
On applicable Linux filesystems, inspect inode usage as well as byte capacity when many small recording or cache files prevent new file creation.
A Linux CPU frequency field may describe the requested operating state
The Linux CPUFreq documentation distinguishes requested states, limits and hardware feedback. One frequency value alone cannot establish thermal throttling during playback.
The same HandBrake RF number does not mean the same result across encoders
HandBrake quality scales belong to their encoders. Compare actual outputs and encoder settings rather than assuming an equal number means equal quality.
A Kdenlive preview proxy can appear in an export if that option is selected
Kdenlive distinguishes proxy and preview-resolution render options. Check the actual export choices before treating every render as an original-resolution deliverable.
An OBS recording can contain microphone audio on a different track
Separate audio tracks are normally selected one at a time by a player. An isolated microphone track does not automatically mix into the track currently heard.