How to record a Google video chat session?

February 13, 2012 4:56 PM

I want to "capture"/"record" a Google video chat between me and my folks - how do I do this? I'm on a Mac, OS 10.6.8.

I am 100% clueless, and am not even having any luck Googling this.

I want to record a Google video chat session between me and my folks.

Is this even possible? I tried to Google and just got overwhelmed, I am a serious newb in this arena.

I'd ideally like to have, I guess, video of what's happening on my screen so I can see both my little video window and theirs (oh, and the audio, of course). Free software is ideal, but I could pay a small amount for something that works pretty easily.

Thanks for any help.

posted by tristeza to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Best answer: Use Quicktime Player, already on your Mac. Under the File menu, select New Screen Recording. Make sure it's set to record the sound. You can record a portion of the screen or the whole screen.
posted by veggieboy at 5:00 PM on February 13, 2012

Best answer: Quicktime X will do screen recording. But apparently you have to pick between audio or video capture. But there seems to be a way to do both here.

I can't verify since my MacBook Pro's webcam has taken a dirt nap. And I'm on Lion.
posted by birdherder at 5:01 PM on February 13, 2012

Alternative: Screenflow.
posted by gregglind at 5:41 PM on February 13, 2012

On the Mac:
Screenflow ($99), or Screenium ($30)

Or the low-fi route:
If you have something like a FlipCam, you could tri-pod it up and move it close to the screen...
posted by blueberry at 9:52 PM on February 13, 2012

If QuickTime won't work for you, iShowU is a less expensive alternative to Screeenflow.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 10:12 PM on February 13, 2012

Response by poster: OMG you guys, I feel like such a dingus. It looks like Quicktime does exactly this, and I don't even have to futz with the sound, it's got an option built in for that while you record the screen.

How can I have used Macs for like 15 years and never have used Quicktime to record? D'oh.

You're the best, thanks to all who took the time to answer this goofball!
posted by tristeza at 6:34 PM on February 14, 2012