Combing through the basic functions and features of a list of tools I’ve become aware of, to select some for further testing.
Over the course of the week, the list of Screencasting tools that have been recommended to me, or that I’ve otherwise learned of, has grown to a dozen.
I have a goal of trying identify a free tool or set of tools to use to create stand alone tutorials by combining screen images and screen motion with audio. I would also like to have some editing capabilities, so I could combine multiple captures and rearrange the order of these pieces if needed, and to be able to re-record audio annotation if possible. I would also like to have screen annotation capabilities, at least for the screen captures.
Given this set of desired functions and features, and the long list of tools, it’s only logical that I briefly review each application to see what they can do. Based on these initial fundings, I’ll select a number of tools to take for a trial run, much as I did with Jing last week.
I realize that in a quick overview like this, I may miss something important about how one or more of these apps work, so if anyone notices any errors or important omissions in my summary table, please comment and let us know about them. I wish I had the time to actually try all of these tools out, but I don’t, so I am sticking with this broader approach of learning a little about each app and using that info to inform my decision about which to spend more time with.
Feature/Function Summary Table
| Application | File Format(s) | Sharing Files | Editing Capabilities |
| Jing.com | SWF (Shockwave Flash) | Files are created on the local PC (the app runs locally, not on the Internet). SWF files are stand alone and can be shared like any other file (and viewed with any SWF compatible viewer), or via Screencast.com. | Screen images can be edited |
| Other Jing Notes: Presentations are limited to 5 min. in length. Inexpensive Pro version ($14.95/yr.) provides add’l capabilities (such as MP4 file format). | |||
| Screentoaster.com | Unknown (that is, presentations are stored on the site, in whatever format they happen to be in, and cannot be downloaded) | Presentations (stored on the site) can be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. | None |
| Screenjelly.com | Unknown | Presentations (stored on the site) can be shared via email links, or Twitter. | None |
| Other Screenjelly Notes: Recordings are limited to 3 minutes. | |||
| Screenpresso.com | PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP | Captured image files can be easily be shared. | Many editing tools for manipulating and annotating the captured images. |
| Other Screenpresso Notes: Screenpresso is just for image capture, not for screen motion capture (it really doesn’t belong in this list!). | |||
| Screenr.com | Unknown | Presentations (stored on the site) can easily be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. [I have since learned that files can also be downloaded as .mp4 files. KW 1/24/10] | None |
| Notes: Screenr’s main focus is sharing screencasts via Twitter. | |||
| Screencast-O-matic.com | .MOV | Files can be exported, and therefore easily shared or uploaded to sites like YouTube. Presentations can also be stored on the Screencast-O-matic site and accessed by URL or embed code. | None (in free version) |
| Other Screencast-O-matic Notes: Videos can be up to 15 minutes long. There is a Pro version that allows files up to 1 hr. on length and provides more functionality. | |||
| Freescreencast.com | .FLV (Flash Video) | Presentations stored on the site can be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. Presentations files can also be downloaded in .FLV format, for viewing with any Flash compatible viewer. | None |
| Other Freescreencast Notes: According to their last blog post (almost a year ago, in Feb ’09), Freescreencast is going to made fully available as ‘open source’ software. | |||
| Screencastle.com | Unknown | Presentations (stored on the site) can be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. | None |
| Other Screencastlt Notes: Screencastle does not use log ins, so all casts are instantly available to everyone, and are not linked to individual accounts. One interesting feature of the site is the availability of widgets for automated screencasting from within Wordpress and some other tools. | |||
| Webinaria.com | AVI, FLV | Files are stored on the site, and can easily be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. Files can also be downloaded in .FLV format, for viewing with any Flash compatible viewer. | None |
| CamStudio.org | AVI, SWF | Files are created on the local PC (the app runs locally, not on the Internet), and can therefore easily be distributed. These formats can be uploaded to YouTube and other video sharing sites for web based sharing. | None |
| Faculte.com | Unknown | Presentations (stored on the site) can be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. | There are a number of editing capabilities, including the ability to add captions to video. |
| Other Faculte Notes: Faculte is really intended to be a paid tool. The free option limits presentation creators to just 200 views of their presentation. | |||
| Debut from NCHsoftware | AVI, WMV, FLV, ASF, MPG, 3GP, MP4, MOV, and more | Files are created on the local PC (the app runs locally, not on the Internet), and can therefore easily be distributed. These formats can be uploaded to YouTube and other video sharing sites for web based sharing. | There are a number of editing capabilities, including the ability to add captions to video. |
| Other Debut Notes: There is a paid “Plus” version of Debut available for $59.95, with various add-on applets available as well to provide additional functionality. | |||
Summary of Findings
Several of these tools seem to be provide the same basic function - screen motion and audio capture (with no editing capability) and the resulting captures can only be published right on their site. Screentoaster, Screenjelly, and Screencastle each look like they fall into this category. I much prefer a tool that allows files to be downloaded, providing more flexibility for distribution, and the potential for combining clips with a tool like Windows Movie Maker to create a desired end result.
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A couple sites don’t meet my criteria and therefore won’t be further considered (Screenpresso is just for images, and Faculte’s free version limits the no. of users who can view presentations). This leaves Jing, Screencast-O-matic, Freescreencast, CamStudio, Webinaria, and Debut to consider for further review. I’ve already test Jing a bit (see last week’s post for more on this). Debut looks like it has great potential, with it’s editing capabilities and available paid upgrade. It also allows for screen image capture or screen motion capture, like Jing. Of the rest, based on a review of the information on their websites, I would rank my interest (most to least), as follows: Screencast-O-matic, Webinaria, CamStudio, then Freescreencast. [Ed Note - After writing this article, I learned that Screenr.com allows files to be downloaded, and after trying this tool, I really liked it - KW 1/31/10]
Of course, you may have different goals than I, and some of these tools may meet your needs even though they are not necessarily what I am looking for, so feel free to check them as you see fit!
Next Week
Based on my findings, I’m going to take the free version of Debut for a spin next week, with a few others to follow. In the meanwhile, I’m sure some readers will have some feedback on some of these products, and I look forward to reading some informative comments, so please weigh in if you have anything to add.
Related post(s) (if the above topic is of interest, you might wish to check out …):
Using Internet story telling tools in education
Creating brief instructional videos (and more) with Jing
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I agree. Selecting a good eLearing tool can be such a challenge at times. I recently read this white paper that lists important keep in mind points while selecting an eLearning tool that supports multimedia. Might help. http://go2see.it/acc
Maybe some interesting additions to this list are the checklist of criteria for selecting a screencasting tool at http://www.indoition.com/screencasting-tool-choosing.htm, as well as the list of screencasting tools at http://www.indoition.com/screencasting-tools-survey.htm.
You might also look at Gadwin. It is free. I use it.
I work for Ontier, and we make Pixetell. We have a great screencast tool. There’s a 21-day free trial with no credit card required. After that’s it’s only $9/month.
Please let us know how you like it.
Hello,
I use ScreenHunter and Screencam ( Wisdom-Soft ). These 2 products are very usefull in their free versions.
Thierry
With Webinaria, your video stop recording when the file become eavier than 10GB. I used it and come back to camstudio.
Screenr.com also allows for download as .m4v files (Ipod/Iphone friendly formats) that can be edited in any video editing software (this feature only becomes available on your screencasts, not others’). It also integrates with twitter and allows for iPhone/iPod touch viewing off of the site directly which is something that no other screencasting suite can do currently (other than ones that allow you to upload to youtube).
My name is Dave and I work for Screenr. Saw this and just thought I would comment that Screenr’s videos are recorded in lossless MP4 format, and can be downloaded as well.
Anyway, thought I would give a heads up.
I use Camtasia to explain my computer app lessons and love it. See my website http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/wcarlson/index.cfm?subpage=63852 for examples.
I like the idea of free apps for students.Looking forward to hearing more from you.
I tried Jing a few days ago. I was able to record video, but I was unable to record audio. I was able to record both with CamStudio. I will be interested to read the remainder of your reviews.
Thanks Brian, for the clarification of screentoaster’s ability to download files as .mov files. I’ll update the post to reflect that shortly.
Thanks for the comment Pierre – I’m sticking with the free apps for my initial look into screencasting tools – there’s so many to choose from, and a lot of my readers appreciate knowing what’s out there for no cost. Of course, Camtasia is a major player in screencasting, and I am curious to know more about it, so I’m sure one of these days I’ll be checking it out and blogging about it, especially now that you’ve pointed out the availability of the 30 day trial!
You *can* download a screentoaster.com recording as a .mov file before uploading it to their site. Choose the option on the right side before the upload step.
Great collection yet what a pity since majority of freeware don’t support video editing features. I hope there are more screen recording programs providing more features soon.
You’re not looking at Camtasia Studio? This is the Techsmith flagship (Jings big sister) and something different than the free CamStudio.
It isn’t cheap (educational offer is good though) but they offer a fully functional 30 day trial (no limits in functionality, no water marks in output etc) which should give you plenty of time to evaluate it.
Note: I’m in no way affiliated to Techsmith although I do use their product and like it.