Capturing for computer Video tutorials

[Dave Bond]

What is the best software for capturing your screen when trying to record a training tutorial? Then after it is captured, How do I get it compressed down while still keeping a good quality sound and video? What is a good recording headset to use?

 

Thanks for the info!!

Dave

[Jeff Mottle]

Hands down Camtasia Studio: http://www.techsmith.com/products/studio/default.asp

[DennisHolland]

Macromedia's Captivate is the tool for you're needs. It has a very flat learningcurve, not really expensive and you can even get yourself a trial (30 days) to grasp the useful features. Output in .swf .flv or avi/wmv. Just drag a rectangle and hit record, draw stuff within' your selected field, or do whatever you want. Tutorials are made in a couple of minutes. The best thing is that you can also sleect a single interface without have to cut unwanted space afterwards. That's all there is to it.

 

I use it for workshops in the past 3 years and i can not imagine working with something else, or better....

 

http://www.macromedia.com/software/captivate/?promoid=BINN

 

Have a look, regards.

Dennis

[schmoron13]

I'm using SnagIT here at Autodesk and it's working brilliantly. KISS interface. Haven't tried the video yet but to edit, I'd using Vegas

[nhayes]

i use Camtasia studio for recording from PC, it has some really useful features such as the ability to zoom, it can save out avi, QT, gif, flash etc. add you can easily add on-screen annotation and a watermark... its available for download with a free trial period from techsmith.

 

If you're on mac, I've heard that Snapz Pro is v.good and its a bargin at only $69.

 

edit:

I should have also mention that camtasia allows you to record audio and video at the same time, which is great.

 

In terms of your questions:

 

For audio compression I usually choose mpeg layer 3 at 44,100 48 kb/s mono. I think mp4 (AAC) or AC-3 (dolby) encoders are probably the best, but they don't come with camtasia. I previously used the Qmusic2, but the version that comes with camtasia makes it sound like you're talking from inside a submarine (gets the filesize down though).

 

For video I record using the TSCC lossless codec and then save out as mpeg4 medium quality for QT (although I'm going to start using h.264 or sorreson 3 as they are much better). You can normally get away with a frame rate of 5-7 a second. I usually use 7 if I'm recording a modelling tutorial in modo or 5 if I'm just showing some interface stuff.

 

I've found that USB microphones are hard to beat for the price. I have a desktop version that has in-built noise reduction... I prefer not to wear a microphone.

 

3ivx is also worth a look for a video codec http://www.3ivx.com/download/windows.html

 

-neil

[William Alexander]

I'm using SnagIT here at Autodesk and it's working brilliantly. KISS interface. Haven't tried the video yet but to edit, I'd using Vegas

 

Snag It-Audacity-QuickTime Pro

 

SnagIt to capture video (and audio)....stopped doing both on the same machine...it's really hard to capture both, show rendering, and have multiple apps open with out lags...somewhere, usally with Photoshop & large PSD files-traffic jamb LOL

 

Audacity-Free-awsome simple recording and the abiltity to almost one button remap/amplify audio makes it a perfect solution to record on a second system. Plus a wide range of really good effects and filters

 

QuickTimePro-compile the video and audio, yes it does that and compress. Have had very decent results using the mpeg codec (think it's 3). Audio runs mono at 33k.... 98mb vid & 44mb audio to 16-23mb for about 18 minutes of tutorial at about 1050x740 +/-.

 

 

Sweet simple bare bones and very functional...no to mention qtpro $29us and snagit, is either $49 or $69us...can't recall

 

WDA