OT: How to record PC output during a live seminar?

ken c wrote on 1/4/2009, 11:24 AM
Hi - hey I need to record the screen being used from my laptop during live trading seminars (and I don't want to use camtasia since it would likely chop/lock up during 8 hour days) does anyone have any recommendations on how to capture (preferably via AVCHD digital output/splitter to memory card), the output of what I'm projecting on a screen during a live seminar?

I remember using an a/v company in Denver for one, they had a hardware device that captured to tape, via video signal splitter, what was being presented via the screen. Since it's live stock trading stuff, it's not just powerpoint slides, so I need to capture live screen output, onto some avchd card type of thing, so I can then produce videos using Vegas where I edit it as b-roll footage along with the live presenter during the event. And preferably this doesn't cost more than 1-2k...

I'll be doing another live seminar in Las Vegas, and I want to have me and my co-presenter captured as a-roll footage, plus capture what we're showing to the audience via projected laptop image, as b-roll footage. I learned long ago that trying to capture the screen using a camcorder makes for awful footage, so I want to instead just split-feed the pc laptop output into the projector, and into some kind of capture device.

Any suggestions? Much appreciated!

Regards,

Ken

Comments

farss wrote on 1/4/2009, 1:28 PM
"And preferably this doesn't cost more than 1-2k... "

That kind of rules out all the options.

Sony have their 1024 scan converter which would give you an SD video signal that can be recorded to tape. A DVCAM VCR will give you 4.5 hours per tape or you could use VidCap to capture to disk. the 1024 new is around $3K. Keep in mind though it's only standard def so PPTs etc will look very sad.

Edirol have a HD version of much the same. Excellent unit at around $9K last time we looked at getting one.

Bob.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 1/4/2009, 3:30 PM
Just get Camtasia - works like a charm, and has a lot of great recording options.

All you need to do is start recording beforehand ( maybe hook up an external drive for the footage to go to ).

Dave
farss wrote on 1/4/2009, 4:02 PM
How will that work when presenters bring their own laptops?

Bob.
ken c wrote on 1/4/2009, 6:42 PM
thanks all - hmm looks like it'll be camtasia then... overall it works great for short videos, less than an hour; I'd be concerned about it not being able to correctly 'digest' several hours at a go... and it's important that it not be screwed up, or the laptop freezes and the video's shot etc... maybe just doing it in less-than-an-hour segments, then saving each one separately, would be best, that way even if there' a glitch during one or more of the segments, most would still be usable....

thx..

ken
rs170a wrote on 1/4/2009, 7:03 PM
Ken, look into renting either of the scan converters Bob recommended.
I've used the Sony a few times before and it's not hard to figure it out.
The results will be better than what you'll get from Camtasia.

Mike
richard-courtney wrote on 1/4/2009, 7:09 PM
Would a Kramer VP-704xl do the trick $1500 US if your camera can record YUV
and an VP-350 distribution amp $200 since you are splitting the laptop.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/528381-REG/Comprehensive_Kramer_VP_704XL_VP_704xl_Scan_Converter_with.html#specifications

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/538279-REG/Comprehensive_Kramer_VP_350_VP_350_1_3_Computer_Graphics.html

http://www.kramerelectronics.com/indexes/item.asp?desc=742
http://www.kramerelectronics.com/indexes/item.asp?desc=583
ken c wrote on 1/5/2009, 4:42 PM
Thanks - I'll check out that scan converter and the Kramer; appreciate it!

-Ken
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/5/2009, 8:37 PM
the Canopus TwinPAC does a "decent" job...
TheHappyFriar wrote on 1/6/2009, 11:10 AM
not sure about this, but it seems to work (mac only though):
http://www.telestream.net/screen-flow/overview.htm

found it via youtube video demoing it:


there's this for PC: http://www.download.com/AviScreen-Classic/3000-13633_4-10394588.html

I just did a live recording of my 1440x900 desktop whie using blender to an uncompressed AVI. I think it was getting ~20fps uncompressed. If you have a HD AVI codec (huffy?) you could probably record in HD @ 30fps.
IonicAltruist wrote on 1/6/2009, 11:23 AM
I dont know if this would work right, but you could hook up an HD-DVR via a DVI - HDMI converter. It wouldn't cost more than 500 and you could use it in your living room too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584991-REG/TiVo_TCD658000_TCD658000_HD_XL_DVR.html

http://www.xpcgear.com/hddv15.html


Former user wrote on 1/6/2009, 12:58 PM
I'll /bump Camtasia. It's reasonably priced, solid, well supported, and works nicely in the background. I've created tutorials for everything from Photoshop, After Effects, Vegas, and Sound Forge, and it just merrily records away.

It has multiple output options too, which is nice.
ken c wrote on 1/6/2009, 4:43 PM
Thanks so much, guys - appreciate it! And thanks again Spot for your Vasst training, my www.TradeMastery.com video promo spot I was able to create thanks to your dvd tutorials, and got record-breaking attendance, with showgirls and everything, had a blast. So I want to do more, but this time, w/recording of the event so I can make dvds of it ... thx for all the scan-converter references, I'll check them out.

Here's to a great 2009, for everyone!

-ken

looked up the canopus, it's at:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/312383-REG/Grass_Valley_602128_TwinPact_100_Bi_Directional_Media.html#features

let me know if anyone's used that, tested vs the kramer and/or other scanconverters?