Should I Get Camtasia or Something Else?

[JustaWizard]

Hi Warriors! I'm ready to purchase Camtasia, I'm on a PC - sooo before I do, do you warriors recommend I get something else instead?

I'm inviting opinions and suggestions based on experience, not affiliate links, is that okay? :-)

So if there something cheaper/faster/easier/better/more user-friendly than Camtasia, please let me know!

THANKS!
David Portney

[digileaf]

Seriously .... Camtasia, Camtasia, Camtasia. I do use cheap and free alternatives on occassions, but Camtasia is just soooooooo much better. Nothing else compares.

It's slicker, sleeker, more functions, easier to edit, easier output, ability to do voiceovers. Loads less hassle than anything else around.

I preferred version 5 to the new Version 6. I think version 6 is just a bit too clever, but that's probably because I just haven't used V.6 very much yet.

Cheers

Kate

[JustaWizard]

Originally Posted by digileaf

Seriously .... Camtasia, Camtasia, Camtasia. I do use cheap and free alternatives on occassions, but Camtasia is just soooooooo much better. Nothing else compares.

It's slicker, sleeker, more functions, easier to edit, easier output, ability to do voiceovers. Loads less hassle than anything else around.

I preferred version 5 to the new Version 6. I think version 6 is just a bit too clever, but that's probably because I just haven't used V.6 very much yet.

Cheers

Kate

Thanks Kate! (what are the other ones you mentioned, just for reference?) Any other Warriors with opinions out there

[nicholasb]

this one works really well Jing | Add visuals to your online conversations it's free but they have a paid version as well.

[Peter Bestel]

David,

There's CamStudio too, (non-aff link) it's brilliant for an open source app but go with your instincts and stick with Camtasia if your budget allows.

Peter

[Alp Bozkurt]

Hey! Don't buy camtasia yet. Try "BB Flashback".
Absolutely awesome software. 30 day trial has no limitations and no watermark if you export to FLV video.

The screen capture in my product page (see sig) is made with this software (I shrinked it to 320x200)

[digileaf]

Hi Wizard

Two that come to mind are CamStudio and Total Screen Recorder Gold. I'm sure I've got one or two others on my laptop which I can check out for you.

They work fine. In fact I have used CamStudio quite alot. It's just that Camtasia is in a completely different league.

I've heard good things about Jing, but never used it.

Cheers

Kate

[Marty S]

If you don't get Camtasia, you will always be wishing you had.

[Shaun OReilly]

David,

I use and recommend Camtasia if you are using it to
record your computer screen, i.e. screencasts.

It's such a cracking piece of software that I wouldn't
consider anything else.

For producing effective screencasts, it's one of the
best and easiest tools to use.

Also, remember that each piece of software comes
with a learning curve. Therefore, it's better to make
the right choice from the start.

Another vote for Camtasia - you won't regret it.

Dedicated to your success,

Shaun

[MIB Mastermind]

You guys should check out jingproject.com you can have your video live on the web with 2 mouse clicks one to record and one to share, this is a free service the only downside to jing is videos are limited to 5 mins but apart from that its fantastic and is compatible with mac's.

[Ian Jackson]

Originally Posted by Peter Bestel

David,

There's CamStudio too, (non-aff link) it's brilliant for an open source app but go with your instincts and stick with Camtasia if your budget allows.

Peter

sorry to be dumb; what does "open source" application mean please?

[Nitro]

I definitely vote for Camtasia, you won't find anything better.

[Zubair Zm]

I use Camtasia and I will recommend Camtasia. If you are looking for other screen capture software then some are listed at Screen Recording Software Tools and Resources
rgds
Zm

[~DesmondOwens]

I personally like Jung, but cant go wrong with Camtasia or Studio...just all depends on you i suppose.

Desmond

[antmen]

Originally Posted by Ian Jackson

sorry to be dumb; what does "open source" application mean please?

For the end-user it means it's "free." For developers, it means they allow you to have the source code and create a product of your own as long as you give credit to the original programmers/developers.

Look on www[dot]SourceForget[dot]net for ALL kinds of open source programs.

I'm not allowed to post URL's yet, so just replace the [dot] above with a "."


-Anthony

[Ian Jackson]

Originally Posted by antmen

For the end-user it means it's "free." For developers, it means they allow you to have the source code and create a product of your own as long as you give credit to the original programmers/developers.

Look on www[dot]SourceForget[dot]net for ALL kinds of open source programs.

I'm not allowed to post URL's yet, so just replace the [dot] above with a "."


-Anthony

thanks Anthony

[emjayce]

Originally Posted by JustaWizard

Hi Warriors! I'm ready to purchase Camtasia, I'm on a PC - sooo before I do, do you warriors recommend I get something else instead?

I'm inviting opinions and suggestions based on experience, not affiliate links, is that okay? :-)

So if there something cheaper/faster/easier/better/more user-friendly than Camtasia, please let me know!

THANKS!
David Portney

Before you buy Camtasia - you may want to consider Jing:

Jing | Add visuals to your online conversations

Jing was developed by Techsmith which is the same company that developed / sells Camtasia. The cool thing about Jing is that its free for basic and $15/yr for the Pro.

If you're just doing basic videos - Jing may be all you need.

[Craig Fenton]

Hi David:

Hope all is well.

Nobody would ever not enjoy Camtasia but before you invest make sure that it is in the budget and doesn't prevent you from doing other things that were on your marketing list.

For example if a person had 1000.00 to invest in their latest project and spend 800.00 plus for a video capture program, will it generate enough return that it was better than spending 200.00 and using the other funds for business cards, phone calls, how to books, website update, article writing software, etc.

If it is in the budget and you will make use of the features, go for it!

Enjoy the weekend.

[JustaWizard]

Thanks to all for your helpful insights and opinions.

Shaun mentioned that if you're going to have a learning curve, it might as well be with a top-notch program (I'm paraphrasing here) and that's very good advice based on my experience.

The free versions mentioned I haven't checked out yet, but one of the paid versions comes in at a price tag of $225, Camtasia is $300 so I think it's likely the extra spent is well worth it.

I definitely have $300 in the budget for quality software like Camtasia, and in the final analysis, I'll likely just get that, but also get familiar with one of the free versions since that can be downloaded and used from any computer whereas camtasia will have to be loaded on my various computers.

I've played around with the 30 day trial of camtasia and found it brain-dead simple to use - literally press record and boom, video done. I'm sure that for $300 there must be tons of bells and whistles that would be useful beyond simple screen capture and screen-in-screen functions.

Based on the above, are there any final opinions regarding which free software would be "The One" to go with, even though I'm getting Camtasia as well?

THANKS!
David Portney

[Rupps]

I have an old Camtasia and it compiles really really slowly.

Camstudio works but it's cluncky and I get problems all the time. It also took me a long time to get it working right.

I downloaded Jing and did not like it. I wish I could remember what it was I did not like? Maybe because I needed to get the paid version to do what I wanted and I already have both Camtasia and Camstudio.

So a question is what's the benefits of Jing over Camtasia? They are both by Tech Smith. With Jing Pro you can upload instantly to Youtube. Can you do that with current versions of Camtasia? Can you do the same type of editing as Camtasia with Jing?

[Ryan700]

What do Mac owners use? Don't go to installing windows and parallels on my Mac. I have a Macbook with only 150 gigs so I don't want to fill up my hard drive.

[metaphors]

Iv'e only used camtasia as it's all people suggest when you ask about such programs, i haven't been using it for that long only about 2 weeks but i've had no problems so far.