Product Review: Camtasia Studio 7

by admi on March 30, 2010

Today TechSmith released their latest version of Camtasia Studio 7. Known during the test phase cs7, this is an incredible change that can only help you make better and faster screen capture/screencast videos.

I’ve been using this software for sometime and I’m currently making videos, both PowerPoint slide types and screen captures. The reason I’ve had access to this software before release is that I’m on the Camtasia beta test team. And as you watch my short video review you’ll get a bit more information about why I’m there.

I love this new version and the new interface for the Studio. If you’ve been a user of Camtasia you know that TechSmith changed the Recorder’s interface in the last upgrade. And now they have changed the Studio interface to match the streamlined look of the recorder.

I really recommend anyone who is doing screencast videos to upgrade… or move to Camtasia Studio 7 if you’re using another screen capture software.

Now before I close this post I must tell you that I’ve been a member of the Camtasia Studio beta team for previous versions. Sometimes I get the upgrade free and sometimes I don’t. I also received a black tee-shirt with “Shhh… I’m Screencasting” on it some time ago from TechSmith. However, on the other side I’ve been using Camtasia since 2003 (I started in 2002 with RoboDemo… that has since become Captivate). I’ve made hundreds (or maybe thousands if you count the ones that never got published) of Camtasia type videos teaching how to use software, how to navigate the web, sales videos and others. I have not found a better solution and highly recommend Camtasia.

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Why Use High Definition Screen Capture Video Windows

by admi on March 28, 2010

Have you noticed how many people post videos in the high definition (HD) format? It’s that long narrow window… basically it’s a 16:9 ratio. In the days before having HD we used the old standard screen ratio of 4:3… something like our older TVs used.

Now, here the question for you. We know that today’s new HD video cameras use that 16:9 image size, but why are people using that same size for their screen captures and PowerPoint slides? Screen capture, also known as screencast (a term selected by Jon Udell in 2004), shows your computer’s monitor and the bigger the image the better. 

If you are limited to a width of 640 then the typical 16:9 ratio would make a screen capture of 640 by 360. But if you’re using the 4:3 ration then your typical screen capture is 640 by 480. So by using the HD ratio you’re losing 120 pixels or 25% of your capture window.

Yet online videographers have recently taken to the 16:9 ratio image to try to teach how to use software, navigate a website, present a PowerPoint slide program, etc., all because if we were doing full motion video we want it to look like it’s high definition.

My suggestion to you is to stop following the herd and start thinking for yourself. [click to continue…]

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Making Videos On A PC

March 22, 2010

This is my first blog post as the online video dude and I thought I’d give you a little history why I’ve started yet another blog…. This blog is for PC users who want to make videos on their computers.
I got started back doing analog videos in 1992. Now believe me, there are some great [...]

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