Options for software to capture video of screen captures?

by **akcorcoran** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:12 pm

I'm trying to create some video tutors by capturing video of screen activity. I'm currently using the SnagIt application, which only outputs to .avi format - huge files. Do you know of any free (or cheap) software that captures in a smaller file format, or can convert the .avi? I *know* how much easier this would be on a Mac but it's for my brother-in-law and unfortunately that's not an option right now.

Thx for your help!
Alexa

by **cdeemer** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:27 pm

I use the free version of CamStudio.

by **Bob** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:10 pm

You might be capturing uncompressed. The DivX codec does a decent job of compressing and the basic "community" version of the codec is free. http://www.divx.com/

If your computer is powerful enough, you can capture using DivX in Snagit. Here's a video tutorial showing how to select a specific codec for encoding in Snagit. http://www.screencast.com/users/ChrisMc ... 09e0747740

You can always convert the video to a different codec after capture using a tool like VirtualDub, the DivX converter that comes with the DivX bundle, or some other tool. I use VirtualDub. http://www.virtualdub.org/

While you're at the tutorial page I linked above, check out the Jing project link. It's free, and comes from the same company that makes Snagit.