Q & A: Capturing the Computer Screen in Full-Motion Video

Q.

How do you record the action on a computer screen, like for making how-to videos?

A.

Those live-action video clips showing the computer’s desktop, menus and files in motion are called screencasts. To take your own videos, you need a screencasting application. Programs like CamStudio are available free, while for about $800 you can buy Adobe Captivate, software aimed at education and training professionals. You can also record screencasts right in your browser on sites like ScreenCastle and Screencast-O-Matic.

When looking for screencasting software to suit your needs, read the program specifications. Some less-expensive options may not record sound along with the video or may limit recording time.

TechSmith has several screencasting programs for Windows on its site, most with free trial versions to download. Mac users can try out the $70 Snapz Pro X free for 15 days (or 100 uses). Copernicus is a free Mac OS X screencasting program, but it doesn’t record audio.

If none of those programs appeal to you, Wikipedia has a lengthy list of screencasting software for Windows, Mac OS and Linux systems. The Mashable site has it own roundup of free and commercial programs, too.

If you are just getting started, the ProCasts blog has tutorials on making screencasts.

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A great program I found recently, when I met its software developer at a local event, is Screen Jelly – //www.screenjelly.com. It is really simple to use, and records video of your entire PC, not just what’s happening in the browser. This is really great if you want to share a tech support problem, or to show someone how to use software on your desktop, or to show your great-grandpa how to use a computer in the first place – creating videos of your screen activity (and voice) are dead-simple!

Real fan of this software.

-Vik

I second the recommendation for checking out the offerings at TechSmith. I’ve been using SnagIt 9 ($49.95) for awhile now and think it’s great. It has a variety of features for capturing both static screenshots, and for caturing video.

For PC the go-to screencasting software is TechSmith’s Camtasia.

For Mac users, ScreenFlow is unparalleled.

Screenflow, from Telestream.net is rapidly becoming the standard for Mac screencasts. Loaded with features, it costs $99. Works great on my MacbookPro even for very long sessions.

Another very good screen capture is Screenflow at
//www.telestream.net/screen-flow/overview.htm

For the Mac, I highly recommend iShowU from ShinyWhiteBox — //store.shinywhitebox.com. I’ve been very happy with the options, flexibility and reliability of the original iShowU product ($20) for several years, which allows me to decide what part of the screen (or all of it) I want, whether or not I want audio, how small I want the finished file, etc. More modern system users might appreciate the HD version ($30). Easy to set up, easy to use.

Jonathan

You may want to try :

//GoView.com

it’s easy and free including hosting the video.

I love Snapz Pro X – which allows me to capture still shots or video of any portion of the computer screen that I desire (no extraneous images to distract). Simple and easy and always ready to go.

Tech Smith’s CAMTASIA Studio is awesome for all needs!

Yes, you could purchase expensive software to do this. You can also do it the “old-school” way… if your computer has a video out (or you have a VGA-to-video adapter), you could record to a hardware VCR, DVD recorder, or DVR. Then take that footage back into the computer via video capture if an analog recorder, or just use the file if a digital one. You could even output your screen to a video capture card on a second computer, or even on the SAME computer. And yes, I have used all those methods to create full-motion screen captures of computers.

Hi J.D., I’m the founder of ProCasts, I wrote the tutorial you link to. I’m running a new project now to compile 4 years of screencasting knowledge into a Handbook for anyone who wants to improve their skills:
//thescreencastinghandbook.com/

I’m releasing chapters as I write them and I’ve built a google-group of screencasters who are giving feedback and sharing their skills. I’ll invite any reader here to come and get involved if they’re interested.

Regards,
Ian.

Don’t forget about Jing, the new free tool from TechSmith, it’s pretty phenomenal, and extremely easy to use:

//www.jingproject.com/