My First Screencast!
Right now screencasts, or a video capture of the computer screen, are all the rage with tech bloggers... so therefore I also needed to get in on the action. Apparently most of the software falls to the PC-side; many tech bloggers reported a general frustration with software offerings on the Mac. Google after Google, and traceback after traceback, I came across several recommendations.
Ambrosia's Snap Pro ranks as the best utility of the lot. The $70 price tag, although relatively cheap in terms of software, was $69 more than I was willing to pay-- especially in light of freeware options. Other names came to the top of the pile, but I didn't want to bother with trial-versions or $20 shareware donations.
It didn't take me long to come across a favorable review for Danicsoft's Copernicus. This program is streamlined and easy-to-use. In a matter of minutes I was creating both screen captures and screencasts without ever consulting an instruction manual. Only drawback is Copernicus records video without an audio track. Ah well.. Actually, more like not a problem. This project only required a voice over, which was easy to add during post-production.
I dropped the screencast movie over to Mac's iMovie HD 6 to dub the audio track. iMovie has the promise of a fairly powerful video edit program for amateurs; within minutes I was able to record and sync audio using a Samson C01U condenser mic without ever having read a manual or one of those "Blah Blah Blah for Dummies" books. This program has a user-friendly interface, yet has enough options to appease someone who is willing to take the time to learn all the various features.
One hour and sixty audio takes later, I produced my two-minute web tutorial. Alright, so this movie won't be nominated for any web equivalent of the Grammy Awards. In fact, I'll be lucky if the intended audience even give it a peep. Alright, perhaps this does earn me another merit badge for the techie scout sash. I see this as another step towards accomplishing more audio/video home recording. It appeals to my indie DIY calling...
Ambrosia's Snap Pro ranks as the best utility of the lot. The $70 price tag, although relatively cheap in terms of software, was $69 more than I was willing to pay-- especially in light of freeware options. Other names came to the top of the pile, but I didn't want to bother with trial-versions or $20 shareware donations.
It didn't take me long to come across a favorable review for Danicsoft's Copernicus. This program is streamlined and easy-to-use. In a matter of minutes I was creating both screen captures and screencasts without ever consulting an instruction manual. Only drawback is Copernicus records video without an audio track. Ah well.. Actually, more like not a problem. This project only required a voice over, which was easy to add during post-production.
I dropped the screencast movie over to Mac's iMovie HD 6 to dub the audio track. iMovie has the promise of a fairly powerful video edit program for amateurs; within minutes I was able to record and sync audio using a Samson C01U condenser mic without ever having read a manual or one of those "Blah Blah Blah for Dummies" books. This program has a user-friendly interface, yet has enough options to appease someone who is willing to take the time to learn all the various features.
One hour and sixty audio takes later, I produced my two-minute web tutorial. Alright, so this movie won't be nominated for any web equivalent of the Grammy Awards. In fact, I'll be lucky if the intended audience even give it a peep. Alright, perhaps this does earn me another merit badge for the techie scout sash. I see this as another step towards accomplishing more audio/video home recording. It appeals to my indie DIY calling...
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