Computer Screen Recorder

kronos78 wrote on 8/2/2007, 11:40 AM

I'm putting together a demo video of a software program and I was wondering what top notch screen capture/recorder programs are available that are utilized by users of this forum. I'm looking to output to avi with full motion capture of what occurs on the computer screen, and then edit the footage in Vegas.

Thanks.

Comments

jetdv wrote on 8/2/2007, 11:51 AM

Camtasia

TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/2/2007, 10:07 PM

i've had good luck with this one:
http://www.bobyte.com/AviScreen/index.asp

TGS wrote on 8/3/2007, 12:09 AM

Happy Friar.....I thank you. That's a great free capture program. To bad it doesn't get the audio too, but there are work arounds.
I'd like to ask you which codec you prefer using for capture that works with Vegas too. I tried uncompressed, it looks good but a real harddrive hog.
Have you tried capturing video games and what are the results. You don't have to get too detailed, but it may take me a while before I get a chance to experiment a little more.

farss wrote on 8/3/2007, 5:04 AM

One sure fire way is to use a Sony 1024 Scan Converter. Feed video from PC in and get S Video out straight to camera or VCR. This will owrk with any OS, just so long as the screen res and frame rate falls within the converters spec.

If you want more res Edirol do the same kind of box that'll output HDV. Both these boxes are expensive. The Sony 1024 cost us around $5,000 and the Edirol is around $9,000 give or take a bit depending on if you also want HD-SDI.

One problems using software tools is they need CPU cycles and if the CPU is already maxed out you got a problem. Quite a few of the ads for video games were done using a 1024 converter.

Your other option is to shoot the screen, works quite well with LCD screens, don't need expensive cameras with Clear Scan.

Bob.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/3/2007, 8:32 AM

I use uncompressed or huffy UV. I've got the HD space to spare. :)

Have you tried capturing video games and what are the results. You don't have to get too detailed, but it may take me a while before I get a chance to experiment a little more.

Not with that program, but it should work. I've only captured using id-software games which normally support direct screen-to-targa conversion with demo's. I then play the demo back & use Vegas to record the audio to a separate drive from the game.

I've gotten the best results with using a Sony DV VCR being hooked up to my PC via TV out. This video was done with hooking the S-Video of my graphics card to that VCR & then using my mini-DV camera to capture back. Works very well & looks GREAT on a TV or computer screen

J_Mac wrote on 8/3/2007, 10:02 AM

Also look at FRAPS. John

http://www.fraps.com/

TGS wrote on 8/3/2007, 11:02 AM

I'll be danged. I didn't think I had an S video out, but I just checked and there is one crowded in there. Cool.
I understand what you were saying farss. I only play video golf and didn't think it would be too cpu intensive. But, I never checked for an S video out on my card as I already have two separate outputs for monitors and didn't think there was room for one.
I think I can plug the S video into my Sony Digital 8, while taking the audio and feeding it through the mic input of the same camera. Then capture back to Vegas. Yes, I will attenuate the audio to eliminate distortion.
I still like that AviScreen and that I can make a window any size I like and/or have it follow my mouse.
H Friar, your vid looked good.
After all that, I'll probably barely record any games. But I've always wanted to know how. Thanks all.

TGS wrote on 8/4/2007, 1:55 PM

Happy Friar, if you see this:
I don't really have a problem capturing uncompressed, but it doesn't play in Vegas. I don't get it. I can play uncompressed Celestia avis. The AviScreen uncompressed will play in WMP and VLC. In Vegas, all I see is the first frame and no matter where I look on the timeline, it's the first frame. (or last)
Also, AviScreen does not give me the huffy UV option.
I used one called VP61Advanced Profile, that didn't look too bad, but I don't know what that is. Most of the codecs before this one, are not too good.
Just what is Uncompressed 24bit DIB?
Is there a way to add codecs to AviScreen? or Uncompressed 24bit DIB to Vegas?
Thanks in advance

TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/4/2007, 3:40 PM

i think i may of had the same issue you have with the uncompressed. It was a few months ago I used it, but I believe I used virtual dub to get to to uncompressed again & it worked fine then. No clue why.

TGS wrote on 8/4/2007, 5:08 PM

That's a good idea. I use Virtualdub so infrequently, I forgot about it
Thank you

monoparadox wrote on 8/5/2007, 10:49 AM

The Windows Encoder package includes a screen capture utility. It records wmv only, though.

Dan Sherman wrote on 8/5/2007, 2:26 PM

Snag It for stills or small video clips.
Big borther Camtasia for longer video clips

Chanimal wrote on 8/7/2007, 7:39 AM

I second and third Camtasia. It captures screens and sounds.

In addition, it includes the codec to convert your videos to Flash (the same one used by Flash--but this one does two pass encoding).

It is about the same price as the codec, but you get all the screen capture capability thrown in.

There is a 30 day trial that is 100% live--you can actually make live projects with it. Got me hooked and then I had to have it.