How to Create Screencasts - Nettuts+ At least a few times each week, I'm emailed about how I create the video tutorials that show up on the site each week.
I think many of you are under the impression that it's much more difficult than it really is. If I can do it, anyone can. I'll show you the exact setup I use. Step 1: Use Good Software If you've watched my screencasts, you know that I switch between using a Mac and a PC. PC Users Hands down, the best screencast software that I've been able to find is Camtasia Studio, from TechSmith. Camtasia Studio is wonderful because it was built for the sole purpose of producing screencasts. Alternatives Mac Users When recording on my Mac, I've found iShowU to be the best option. Step 2: Use a Decent Mic The biggest "mistake" that most beginning screencasters make is when it comes to their choice of microphone, or lack thereof (as it was in my case, initially)!
The keywords in that previous sentence are condenser and decent. What you want is a good $75-$100 USB condenser mic. What I Use. Screen-Capturing Face-Off. As Mac users, we have many choices for screen-capturing.
Some are great, some are okay, but not many are horrible — for the most part, they work. Well, I am here to talk about what are, in my opinion, the top five. I am going to go by price, just to make it easy for you to find what you want. Screenflick ($20) The point of Screenflick seems to be making screen-capturing easy. Another thing that Screenflick offers is a library of recordings.
Grade: B The purpose of Séquence seems to be the ability to just open it up and get going. Séquence gives you barely any audio and video export options (comparatively), and there is no library. Grade: C Screenium ($29) Screenium may not be the easiest to use, but it’s not lacking at all in features. I must say that you cannot go wrong with Screenium. Grade: A- iShowU HD & HD Pro ($29.95 & $59.95) iShowU has been out for a while, and just recently has shinywhitebox released the HD and HD Pro versions.
Grade: B+ ScreenFlow ($99) ScreenFlow. Highest Quality Recording ScreenFlow has the best screen recording available – whether you are recording multiple screens at once, or using retina displays. Built in Stock Media Library Spice up your videos with access to over 500,000 unique images, audio & video clips and more directly from within your ScreenFlow projects. iOS Recording Record your iPhone or iPad screen for high quality app demos. Easy to Learn, Easy to Use ScreenFlow’s intuitive UI allows everyone to create amazing content in minutes.
Powerful Video Editing Tools Add pro touches to your videos with transitions, text animations, video animations, freehand annotations, multi-channel audio and more. Professional Animations & Motions Graphics Animate graphics, titles and logos with built in video and text animations. Better Tools for Software Tutorials Use Styles and Templates to make editing a series of Software tutorials quicker and easier. Streamlined Media Management Closed Caption Support More Publishing Options.