Recommendations: Screen Capture Software

Flint · 02-17-2011, 12:23 PM

I am looking for a free software that can capture and record everything that happens on my desktop, while running other applications, etc.

I don’t need to edit or do anything fancy with the video, so I would like this to be a simple, small footprint app that doesn’t hog resources.

If anyone has any suggestions or experience in this area, I appreciate your input in advance.

bbro · 02-17-2011, 03:01 PM

I use PrintKey 2000. The new version they have is only usable for a trial period though - hate that. I could send it to you to try (the free one) if you give me your email address.

Flint · 02-17-2011, 03:14 PM

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I am wanting to capture video.

For screenshots I use the Print Scrn or Alt+Print Scrn, and MS Paint...

DanaC · 02-17-2011, 03:25 PM

I used to use Camtasia years ago. That was pretty decent. I think there's a demo version floating about somewhere.

Might be above and beyond your needs though, and these days there may be freeware around that does the same thing. There's a 30 day demo available.

It was originally for making computer training programmes so although it does all sorts of other things, one thing it is very good at is just recording everything that is going on on your screen. Don't know how resource hungry it is. It used to be just about usable recording an ongoing mmo game, which is about as resource heavy as it gets. I seem to recall J using it a few times to make training videos and demos to show various parts of a design process.

glatt · 02-17-2011, 03:31 PM

I was looking in to this a couple years ago and never found the perfect solution. I only tried for an hour or so though. If you find a good freeware product, please post some feedback.

CamStudio looks promising. But that's not an endorsement. I've never used it.

Flint · 02-17-2011, 03:37 PM

Full disclosure: I am taking a timed certification test online, and if I fail I can retake it within 6 months without paying the fee again.

If I pass, fine. But if I fail I want to have captured an example study guide. There is obvioulsy a pool of questions and I won't get the same test again, but I will have a better idea of what areas I was weak in. I don't want to waste time by stopping to take screen shots of each question.

bbro · 02-17-2011, 03:53 PM

Oops! Sorry, I misunderstood.

About Camstasia - I had to use that at my old job and I hated it. It was way too hard to edit anything. For your purposes it might be ok, but I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole for something that needs regular updates

Perry Winkle · 02-17-2011, 07:30 PM

There's nothing on Windows that I can recommend, but there is a list that might be beneficial:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...sting_software

Pete Zicato · 02-18-2011, 08:41 AM

The Netbeans IDE folks seem to do a lot of this. You might ask what they use.

ZenGum · 02-19-2011, 06:41 AM

Could you use hardware instead?

How about a video camera pointed at your monitor?

Or sending the screen signal to a VCR or DVD recorder and capturing it there? Or to a TV and videoing that.

Call me old skool.

Gravdigr · 02-19-2011, 03:20 PM

Old skool is often the best/easiest option.

ZenGum · 02-20-2011, 01:52 AM

You sayin' I'm easy???

Perry Winkle · 02-20-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

How about a video camera pointed at your monitor?

Or sending the screen signal to a VCR or DVD recorder and capturing it there? Or to a TV and videoing that.

That's a fine solution. But please don't inflict viewing something like that on anyone else.

skysidhe · 02-20-2011, 04:45 PM

While looking for wallpapers and found this. I thought of this thread. May not be what you are looking for.

Camtasia screen recorder

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

Flint · 03-03-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

There's nothing on Windows that I can recommend, but there is a list that might be beneficial:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...sting_software

Oh, wow, awesome link. Thanks!

02-17-2011, 12:23 PM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Recommendations: Screen Capture Software I am looking for a free software that can capture and record everything that happens on my desktop, while running other applications, etc. I don’t need to edit or do anything fancy with the video, so I would like this to be a simple, small footprint app that doesn’t hog resources. If anyone has any suggestions or experience in this area, I appreciate your input in advance. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-17-2011, 03:14 PM	#3
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Sorry if I wasn't clear. I am wanting to capture video. For screenshots I use the Print Scrn or Alt+Print Scrn, and MS Paint... __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-17-2011, 03:37 PM	#6
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Full disclosure: I am taking a timed certification test online, and if I fail I can retake it within 6 months without paying the fee again. If I pass, fine. But if I fail I want to have captured an example study guide. There is obvioulsy a pool of questions and I won't get the same test again, but I will have a better idea of what areas I was weak in. I don't want to waste time by stopping to take screen shots of each question. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-18-2011, 08:41 AM	#9
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	The Netbeans IDE folks seem to do a lot of this. You might ask what they use. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

02-19-2011, 06:41 AM	#10
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Could you use hardware instead? How about a video camera pointed at your monitor? Or sending the screen signal to a VCR or DVD recorder and capturing it there? Or to a TV and videoing that. Call me old skool. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

02-17-2011, 03:01 PM	#2
bbro Insert witty comment here Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,182	I use PrintKey 2000. The new version they have is only usable for a trial period though - hate that. I could send it to you to try (the free one) if you give me your email address.

02-17-2011, 03:31 PM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I was looking in to this a couple years ago and never found the perfect solution. I only tried for an hour or so though. If you find a good freeware product, please post some feedback. CamStudio looks promising. But that's not an endorsement. I've never used it.

02-17-2011, 03:53 PM	#7
bbro Insert witty comment here Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,182	Oops! Sorry, I misunderstood. About Camstasia - I had to use that at my old job and I hated it. It was way too hard to edit anything. For your purposes it might be ok, but I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole for something that needs regular updates

02-17-2011, 07:30 PM	#8
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	There's nothing on Windows that I can recommend, but there is a list that might be beneficial: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...sting_software

02-19-2011, 03:20 PM	#11
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	Old skool is often the best/easiest option. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

02-20-2011, 01:52 AM	#12
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	You sayin' I'm easy??? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

02-20-2011, 04:45 PM	#14
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	While looking for wallpapers and found this. I thought of this thread. May not be what you are looking for. Camtasia screen recorder http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

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