Recording Software for Promotion?

[Dexx]

Is everyone who demos there software by video all using Camtasia?

Or is there alternatives out there that don't cost $300?

I know when is all is said and done its a quick little upload to YouTube to showcase the videos, just wondering what people use to make them?

Cheers!

[Alton]

There are some alternatives that are easier to use. One of the best for making videos of your products is

http://www.jingproject.com

It is free and very easy to use. This thing is snap-easy to use for either making a video or just capturing a series of screen shots of your software at different locations. It captures your audio too. Or, you can use background music if you want to entertain your audience. I am making some for my products with it.

Another free one is Microsoft Photo Story 3. I just started using it today. I made a little presentation of some of our Yorkies with it and included a great background music.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx

I found a couple of others, but I am not so sure about them yet.

Keep the camera rolling,
Alton :eek:

[TigerSoftware]

Wasn't there a open source called Camtasia Studio that does almost the exact thing as the Camtasia?



Thomas

[Glenn]

I think you are talking about Camstudio (free). Some say it does a pretty dang good job.
There are others like: animoto.com (about $3 per video all done online--pretty neat) or onetruemedia. Not many know about these yet.
Imovie on Mac computers.
Microsoft Photo Story 3 for windows. (already mentioned by Alton)
Jing is getting rave reviews lately.(free)(already mentioned by Alton)

[fortesque]

Alton: once again many thanks for a great lead on Jing. Just downloaded it and it works like a charm!
Best Regards,
John Burns:)

[Alton]

You are welcome. I used Jing this morning to take a half dozen screenshots of one of my creations. Then, loaded them one at a time into Jing. Next, I superimposed short titles for each page. Then, did a short audio description of each page. Then, put a soft background music in it. Then, let Jing process the whole thing. You can save the videos as you make them and save them as a project. Then, you could open Jing, open a specific project and edit it, then make a new video. Of course, with Jing, you could skip all that and just make yourself a video, and do it with your voice instructions.

I have Camtasia too, but never really got along with it. And, I have used Movie Maker. My problem is that I can learn, but weeks later, I can't remember what I learned. :confused:

I use Xsitepro for my software site, so it is really easy to import the video into the website. :D

I have learned to save my screenshots as .png files. You can change the size on them and retain clarity.

Alton

[fortesque]

Alton:
created first video ever using Jing. Great stuff, even ran one of my applications, completing data entries,etc. and providing voice over. Not ready for awards night yet, but not bad.
Microphone question. Jing says better to use microphone that doesn't go through sound card. Do you have suggestions on what type of microphone to use. Out of my experience side of the creative ledger.
Thanks,
John Burns

[TigerSoftware]

Alton:
created first video ever using Jing. Great stuff, even ran one of my applications, completing data entries,etc. and providing voice over. Not ready for awards night yet, but not bad.
Microphone question. Jing says better to use microphone that doesn't go through sound card. Do you have suggestions on what type of microphone to use. Out of my experience side of the creative ledger.
Thanks,
John Burns

I just purchased a Microsoft Life Chat and love it.

Be careful of Logitech ClearChat Pro as they are having a lot of problems with the usb product line.

I also heard Planatronics was good.

Many people recommended not to go through your sound card but through usb for better audio.



Thomas

[fortesque]

Thomas:
Thanks for the heads up on microphones and preferred brands. Checked out Microsoft LifeChat and they have two models. ZX-6000 for $44.40 and LX-300 for $28.85 (both priced on Amazon) . Which do you use?
John Burns

[TigerSoftware]

Thomas:
Thanks for the heads up on microphones and preferred brands. Checked out Microsoft LifeChat and they have two models. ZX-6000 for $44.40 and LX-300 for $28.85 (both priced on Amazon) . Which do you use?
John Burns

I have the LX 3000. I was amazed at how good this was. I had to take back the Logitech Clear Chat Pro because of problems with the whole product line and picked this up. I wasn't overly happy because that was all they had until I used it and was pretty happy with it. I cannot hear any outside noises on my videos now and the playback is very good. All this from my notebook computer.



Thomas

[Alton]

I got and email about Jing Pro. Only 15 dollars a year more and it has several more features. It will send videos right to YouTube too. I got it. You might want to consider it for your videos.
Alton

[fortesque]

I got and email about Jing Pro. Only 15 dollars a year more and it has several more features. It will send videos right to YouTube too. I got it. You might want to consider it for your videos.
Alton

Alton:
thanks for the tip. We've been trying to make a video via camera and it's dragged on for some time with poor results. Getting doctor to present symptoms, causes, treatment etc. in brief format that is presentable has been a challenge. Jing offers opportunity to use still shot of doctor, introduce him and credentials, and create presentation using documents and graphics with doctor's voice over.
John Burns

[TigerSoftware]

Alton:
thanks for the tip. We've been trying to make a video via camera and it's dragged on for some time with poor results. Getting doctor to present symptoms, causes, treatment etc. in brief format that is presentable has been a challenge. Jing offers opportunity to use still shot of doctor, introduce him and credentials, and create presentation using documents and graphics with doctor's voice over.
John Burns

A lot of people have been using this for more advertising purposes John.

http://animoto.com/


I haven't tried it yet but will. I like some of the things you can do with it and it even has a database of music you can use.


Thomas

[fortesque]

A lot of people have been using this for more advertising purposes John.

http://animoto.com/


I haven't tried it yet but will. I like some of the things you can do with it and it even has a database of music you can use.


Thomas

Thomas:
Thanks for the heads up on Animoto recording software. Looks pretty cool and has real 'gusto' flavor to it.
John Burns