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Best Screen Capture Software?

HeavyDHeavyD Posts: 63
edited December 1969 in The Commons

What is the best Screen Capture Software available? (What are most makers of tutorials using?)

Best could be cheapest, most features and controls or most reliable (fewest crashes).

Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations.

Comments

  • robkelkrobkelk Posts: 3,259
    edited December 1969

    Windows or Mac?

    For Windows, I've never had IrfanView crash on me, and it's free. http://www.irfanview.com/

  • Takeo.KenseiTakeo.Kensei Posts: 1,303
    edited December 1969

    I use Windows 7 integrated Snipping Tool

  • Zev0Zev0 Posts: 7,123
    edited April 2015

    I use snipping tool as well:) Also allows me to crop what I want. Very handy.

    Post edited by Zev0 on
  • HeavyDHeavyD Posts: 63
    edited December 1969

    Sorry. Should have mentioned Windows.

    Thanks for the quick replies. I'll check out both.

  • HeavyDHeavyD Posts: 63
    edited December 1969

    I also should have clarified that I am looking to capture video not still images.

    Does IrfanView capture video?

    Thanks.

  • MattymanxMattymanx Posts: 6,998
    edited April 2015

    FastStone Capture

    http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm

    or

    BandiCam

    http://www.bandicam.com/

    Both will do video and images

    Post edited by Mattymanx on
  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 40,340
    edited December 1969

    I use cam studio but it can be laggy and audio not match

  • HeavyDHeavyD Posts: 63
    edited December 1969

    Thanks for the additional recommendations.

    Coincidentally I am watching the CamStudio tutorial right now.

  • mtl1mtl1 Posts: 1,508
    edited December 1969

    For my professional work, I use Open Broadcaster Software and point the output to a file instead of a video stream. OBS has a lot of plugins and customization too.

    I previously used CamStudio and it definitely wasn't as usable as OBS.

  • Testing6790Testing6790 Posts: 1,091

    Open Broadcast Software is great and free. It's the tool of choice for streamers, but there is also an option to record a file.

  • Hermit CrabHermit Crab Posts: 876
    edited February 2016

    I don't know anything about the programs already mentioned but I bought Movavi Video Suite and am happy with it.  I haven't checked to see whether it can do stuff I see in tutorial videos such as zooming in to a part of the screen to show a control close up or even whether it can show the mouse as a circle.  But I'm very happy with it for screen captures, whether video or snapshots.  It is also a video editing suite, converts file formats, burns discs, etc.

    Post edited by Hermit Crab on
  • SlimerJSpudSlimerJSpud Posts: 1,456

    If you have a current Nvidia card in a Windows machine, there is a free video capture called Shadowplay that comes with the GeForce Experience. It can be a bit buggy too, but you can't beat the price, assuming you already have a GTX video card. I've used it for a racing sim, and the capture is pretty flawless. I use Gimp or Paint Shop Pro for screen grabs. With those, you can crop and edit to your heart's delight. Gimp is also free. For video editing, I use the VSDC free video editor. I'm not fond of the UI, but it works well.

    http://www.videosoftdev.com/free-video-editor

    http://www.geforce.com/geforce-experience/shadowplay

    http://www.gimp.org/

     

  • SlimerJSpudSlimerJSpud Posts: 1,456
    HeavyD said:

    I also should have clarified that I am looking to capture video not still images.

    Does IrfanView capture video?

    Thanks.

    I don't think so. Screenshots, yes, video no.

  • CrescentCrescent Posts: 334

    Fraps is a good, free program:  http://www.fraps.com/download.php

    Camtasia is a good commercial program:  https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html

  • JasonSWrenchJasonSWrench Posts: 387

    If your goal is tutorials or eLearning, I would recommend StepShot. It's great for showing procedural tasks on a computer. General screen shots, TechSmith's SnagIt is pretty much the industry standard in the eLearning world. Also, their companion product, Camtasia, is great for voiced over videos of what is happening on your screen.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,925

    Camtasia

    Example

  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 40,340

    Shadowplay is exellent

  • ZilvergrafixZilvergrafix Posts: 1,385

    Shadowplay is all you need if you have GTX series card.

    also records full desktop but you need to declare that option on properties.

  • TaozTaoz Posts: 10,282

    I'll also recommend Camtasia, but I'd wait for next version which is probably coming soon (3½ years since 8 was released), and may be 64 bit (current one is 32).

    There are many Camtasia tutorials on Udemy, including one free, but they're of course for current or older versions.

    https://www.udemy.com/camtasia-studio-81/

  • SlimerJSpudSlimerJSpud Posts: 1,456
    Crescent said:

    Fraps is a good, free program:  http://www.fraps.com/download.php

    Camtasia is a good commercial program:  https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html

    Fraps is not free if you want to do real work with it. It's not grossly expensive, but still. I heard it also eats up huge amounts of disk space with the data format it uses to save the data. Most of the videos posted from that racing sim I mentioned were done with Fraps, tho.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9Y8rgp9N4

  • dracorndracorn Posts: 2,363
    I use SnagIt at home and at work. It can do videos and has an editing feature. Great for quick screen grabs while you are watching a tutorial. It's not free, though... about $40.00.
  • argel1200argel1200 Posts: 760

    Microsoft OneNote has screen sclipping, and it's as far as I know still a free download. It's also great for taking notes, etc.

  • Kev914Kev914 Posts: 1,129

    I use Replay Video Capture from Applian. It costs. Not much. But it always does the job. I also have used Camtasia. Camtasia costs some bucks and it used to give me a video that stuttered in some places. They rewrote it in Version 8 so it was much improved. It definitely offers more features. But Replay was quicker and lighter and never failed.

    I used to use Fraps in the beginning. It creates very large files that you then have to run through a program like TMPGEnc Video Mastering to create a file of a reasonable size. Also, Fraps didn't capture the video anymore in Windows 7 (at least for me.) But maybe it can now. It's primary purpose as I understand it is to capture games as they are played.

    With most video programs, you will probably have to run the resulting file through a program like TMPG or Nero Video or CyberLink Media Expresso. Most of the ones I'm familiar with capture video in MPEG format.

    Camtasia can do a conversion after you capture. But it takes awhile.

  • wgdjohnwgdjohn Posts: 2,634
    edited February 2016

    I currently use Paint Shop Prox X import/screen capture. Not free from Corel. I also have the latested version of PSP they all have the screen capture import. I will definetly have to check out some of these other free options for more quickies and the option to also capture video/sound.

    Post edited by wgdjohn on
  • Subtropic PixelSubtropic Pixel Posts: 2,388

    Another SnagIt user here, both at home and at work.

  • MegonNoelMegonNoel Posts: 380

    I'm another one for Open Broadcaster Software. It's free, it works beautifully, and it's super easy to use. 

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