Recording video to PC

November 14, 2013 12:26 PM

I have a PC that has a very nice external camera connected to it that I use for lecture capture, but I need software with more capabilities. Details inside.

The lecture capture software is great for what it is, and I will continue to use it for that purpose. But I would like to use a different software to record video (with audio) that could be edited. I cannot imagine getting too fancy, just basic voice overs, splicing in other footage (is that even the correct term now?), and the like. I don't mind paying for something that will produce professional results. In fact, it is important enough that I really don't want to use freeware.

I am complete video neophyte, so any help would be appreciated.

posted by Silvertree to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Without knowing exactly what aspects of a lecture you need to capture (e.g., Powerpoint, actual video of the instructor instructing, or what have you), I'm wondering if Camtasia might handle what you want. I've never used it myself, but know of several professors that use it. The output I have seen was I think Flash video, and included Powerpoint and other software screens, with the audio recording of the lecture going along in realtime. I think there was also some sort of navigation bar on the left, for skipping to different sections of the lecture. It might be useful to look at it.
posted by mean square error at 12:43 PM on November 14, 2013

Seconding Camtasia. After I asked this question I settled on it and have been very happy with the results.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:48 PM on November 14, 2013

Response by poster: Sorry, maybe I was unclear. I have the lecture capture part down. Now I want to be able to record things more akin to promo videos, solo speakers, or video podcasts but with the ability to edit the output. I will check out Camtasia though.
posted by Silvertree at 1:32 PM on November 14, 2013

When I used Camtasia Studio on PCs years ago, also new to video editing myself at that point, I found it to be slow, crashy, and clumsy. I switched to the free tool VirtualDub and apart from lacking some fancy transitions and special effects it was far more robust and usable. Both development teams have continued working on their products in the mean time, though, so I don't know if those evaluations still hold.
posted by XMLicious at 2:13 PM on November 14, 2013

Check out Applian at http://applian.com/

That is a screen/video capture/converter than can allow a novice to do amazing stuff. I've used it intermittently for 5 or more years. It's less than $100
posted by nogero at 8:22 PM on November 15, 2013