Screen Capture Tools

URLhttp://camstudio.org/

This is a comparison of CamStudio and Camtasia for screen capture.By

Purnell CurtisFor

EDIT 5395

URLhttp://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

Looking first at price to establish a baseline for Screen Capturing software.

Defining the frequency of use with expectations for the desired output will determine software selection.

COSTCamStudio Camtasia

Open Source (Free) $299

Getting started with a program to decide if the interface is intuitive for screen capture.

Getting StartedCamStudio Camtasia

• Opens with a standard Window interface showing.

• Mouse over icons displays purpose at the bottom of the open window.

• Software ready to record screen based on default settings.

• Opens to a video editing suite.

• Mouse over icons displays purpose in self contained windows.

• Record screen option shows choices for screen and audio.

• Software ready to record screen based on default settings.

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

CamStudio Start Screen

Getting StartedCamStudio Camtasia

• Opens with a standard Window interface showing.

• Mouse over icons displays purpose at the bottom of the open window.

• Software ready to record screen based on default settings.

• Opens to a video editing suite.

• Mouse over icons displays purpose in self contained windows.

• Record screen option shows choices for screen and audio.

• Software ready to record screen based on default settings.

Camtasia Start Screen

Getting StartedCamStudio Camtasia

• Opens with a standard Window interface showing.

• Mouse over icons displays purpose at the bottom of the open window.

• Software ready to record screen based on default settings.

• Opens to a video editing suite.

• Mouse over icons displays purpose in self contained windows.

• Record screen option shows choices for screen and audio.

• Software ready to record screen based on default settings.

Option to prepare for

screen capture

1. Changing DefaultsA. Output Format

A

At the beginning forAVI, SWF or

MP4

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

A

At the end of the project with many

formats

B

1. Changing DefaultsB. Screen Capture Area

B

At the beginning.

At the beginning.

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

C

C

At the end of the project with many

formats

1. Changing DefaultsC. CODEC Setting

Many formats to decide upon

at the beginning.

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

D

1. Changing DefaultsD. Cursor Setting

Change after completing

screen capture in the video editing suite.

At the beginning.

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

E

1. Changing DefaultsE. Capture Audio

E

Microphone (webcam)Do not record microphoneRecord system audioOptions…Audio help

At the beginning.

At the beginning.

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

Getting A Final ProductCamStudio Camtasia

• Press Record Button to start

• Press Stop Button to finish screen capture.

• Video is completed when file is saved when prompted.

• Press Record Button to start

• Press Stop Button to finish screen capture.

• Video is completed as a project file for work to continue in the editing suite.

• When file is prepared for finalization produce and share option is selected.

• When prompted output options are selected and a finished product is produced.

SummaryThe key to note here is that both software can perform screen capture, and in knowing this making a decision on which software to choose should be on defining a baseline for features and software expectations that will allow the user to perform the desired task. There are many scenarios that can change which software to decide upon, but the main goal to achieve during this decision making process is to find a product that will at least meets or exceeds a person’s or institution’s minimum requirement. The comparison of CamStudio to Camtasia clearly shows that CamStudio can meet the needs for basic screen capturing without having pre-knowledge, but having pre-knowledge Camtasia can go beyond the minimum if video editing is needed.

Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia