Captivate and Camtasia

Uploaded on Apr 27, 2011

Two of the most often used and requested eLearning development programs out there today are Adobe Captivate and Techsmith Camtasia. Both programs offer a wide variety of tools that assist in making web-based learning more interactive, intuitive, and overall fun. At the same time, there are some differences to take into consideration when deciding which one to use developing your curriculum. Let’s examine both programs and compare.

ADOBE CAPTIVATE

  • Allows the user to create interactive simulations of software programs
  • Takes detailed screen capture simulations
  • Allows for complex student interaction; giving them the opportunity to go down the incorrect path and learn from mistakes
  • Complex and varied activity and testing options (multiple choice, hot-spots, drag and drop, matching)

TECHSMITH CAMTASIA

  • Takes full-motion video simulations
  • Great for streaming video content
  • Easy to post to file sharing sites, such as YouTube
  • Less expensive than Captivate

BOTH PROGRAMS CAN:

  • Capture screen and keyboard info exactly as done and typed
  • Record video and audio/voice
  • Include SCORM/AICC complaint quizzes

As you can see from the comparison, Adobe Captivate is the better choice when going for something that is more interactive. A hands-on learner would definitely prefer a program that is made through Captivate as opposed to Camtasia. The learning and testing options are far more varied when it comes to Captivate. The program is a little more costly, but for the amount of services it offers it is fairly priced. Adobe Captivate can also be purchased as part of a bundle through the Adobe eLearning Suite.

Techsmith Camtasia’s strong points are in price and full-length video. At first glance, Camtasia looks a little like Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere combined, so the interface isn’t too difficult to figure out. If you are looking to capture a full-length video of an action you would take to complete a process on the computer or system, Camtasia is probably your better bet.  It is also very handy for live streaming video.

“How to Use Captivate to Build an Elearning Course” available in the Kindle Bookstore.
http://www.amazon.com/Captivate-Build…

The CompetitionP

If Camtasia is a bit expensive for you, take a look at Camstudio. It’s completely free, can do things like follow your mouse or provide a picture-in-picture view of your webcam, and it’svery simple and easy to use. The default video is of pretty crappy quality, but with the CamStudio lossless codec (which you can grab from their homepage), you can make it look a lot better.P

Jing, which is by the same company as Camtasia, is great for really quick videos that you want to upload to the net. It’s free, but for $15 a year you can add webcam recording and YouTube sharing to its feature list. Its only downside is that you can only record up to 5 minutes of video at a time, which can be a big roadblock for some.P

You might also try web-based screencasting tools like Screencast-O-Matic or Screenr. Without installing anything to your machine, you can instantly record short videos that you can upload to YouTube, Twitter, or other sites. Screencast-O-Matic even lets you record your webcam, and provides a $12/year pro version with editing tools, offline support, and more.

You may find the following information useful:

screencasting software

CamStudio is a screencasting program for Microsoft Windows released as free software. The software renders videos in an AVI format. It can also convert these AVIs into Flash Video format, embedded in SWF files. CamStudio is written in C++, but CamStudio 3 will be developed in C#.
CamStudio is able to record all screen and audio activity on your computer and create industry-standard AVI video files and using its built-in SWF Producer can turn those AVIs into lean, mean, bandwidth-friendly Streaming Flash videos (SWFs)You can download and use it completely free – yep – completely 100% free for your personal and commercial projects as CamStudio and the Codec are released under the GPL.

Source:

SplitCam webcam software. Why do I need to use it?

SplitCam webcam software offers cool webcam effects for having more positive emotions during video calls with your friends! Additionally SplitCam is the easiest way to split your webcam video stream. With SplitCam you can video chat with all your friends, SplitCam is also live video streaming software – stream your video to any IMs and video services and all this at the same time! Мore info…

 

music production Dr Drum. Basically this program does what $1500 programs do but costs only $29. That’s a steal. And I have to say it’s the easiest program to learn. Check it out here: http://www.doctordrum.pw

a comparison of notable screencasting software, used to record activities on the computer screen. This software is commonly used for desktop recording, gameplay recording and video editing. Screencasting software is typically limited to streaming and recording desktop activity alone, in contrast with a software vision mixer, which has the capacity to mix and switch the output between various input streams.

ScreenCam (formerly Lotus/IBM ScreenCam) is a Screencast tool for Microsoft Windows that is used to author software demonstrations, software simulations, branched scenarios, and tutorials in .swf (also known as Adobe Flash) format. ScreenCam was primarily targeted at users who need to create video-oriented instructional materials who were not multimediaauthors or video capture technicians.[1] It was very easy to use, having a ‘VCR-like’ interface and requiring no knowledge of digital video editing, or the concept of ‘frames’ of a movie, because it used a different paradigm for creating the screen movies. It can also be used for creation of screencasts and conversion of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to the Adobe Flash format.[2]

ScreenCam is designed just for you.

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Only ScreenCam gives you both simplicity and power in one package. Why get complicated software that has features you don’t need or want?

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* Super ease-of-use, like a camcorder: Get started in seconds with the EZ Control Panel – it works just like a Camcorder – Hitting Stop, Record and Pause are familiar and powerful ways to control ScreenCam’s powerful capture engine.

Debut Video Capture Software

Record video from a webcam, recording device or screen

Capture video files on your Mac or PC with this easy video recorder software.

Powerful, yet easy-to-use, Camtasia helps you create professional videos without having to be a video pro. Easily record your on-screen activity or import HD camera video, customize and edit content, and share your videos with viewers on nearly any device.

CamStudio 2.7

CamStudio records screen with audio: Camstudio is a pretty straight-forward video capture software application which does exactly what it says.
1.3 MB | For WindowsFree
CamStudio Review – Video Capture Software Download

iSpy 6.1.9.0

Free video capture software perfect for CCTV, webcam capture and home surveillance: iSpy is a free video capture tool which works well with webcams and other input devices connected to your computer.
12.78 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
iSpy Review – Video Capture Software Download

Active Webcam 11.6

Software to capture webcam video: Active WebCam captures images up to 20 frames per second from any Video Camera or USB Camera and broadcasts them either from your computer or through any FTP server.
11.65 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
Active Webcam Review – Video Capture Software Download

Camtasia Studio 8.4.0

Camtasia is powerful video recording software for creating polished videos with all of the bells and whistles which should be expected at such a price.
247 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware

AMCap 9.21

AMCap is a webcam video capture program which records what your webcam sees and saves it directly to your hard drive.
0.29 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
AMCap Webcam Capture Review – Video Capture Software Download

SplitCam 5.4.6.0.

Multi-video Capture: SplitCam – virtual video capture driver allows for connecting several applications to a single video capture source.
49.43 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
SplitCam Review – Video Capture Software Download

WinAVI Video Capture 2.0

Capture video from VHS, Webcam, DVD, etc.: WinAVI Video Capture is recording software that captures from your Audio/Video device like Blu-ray & DVD players, VHS players connected to your capture card and webcams.
2.73 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware
WinAVI Video Capture Review – Video Capture Software Download

Fraps 3.5.99.15619

Advanced video capture tool, ideal for recording video games: Fraps is a multi-faceted application which works on almost all versions of Windows including Windows 7 64-bit.
2.2MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
Fraps Review – Video Capture Software Download

Debut Video Capture 1.94

Free Video Capture Software: Debut Video Capture is a freeware (with restrictions) application which provides a number of options for capturing video from a variety of sources, the most used probably being the screen capture tool which allows you to either record your entire screen or a specific region of it.
1.4 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
Debut Video Capture Review – Video Capture Software Download

Taksi 0.7.7.9

Taksi Recorder is a free video capture and desktop recording program: Taksi, originally inspired by “Fraps” (fraps.
0.25 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTFree
Taksi Review – Video Capture Software Download

Easy WebCam Recording 2.1

Capture webcam videos to a file: Developed by the French, this program simply records the video it captures from your PC webcam and saves it to a file specified in the setup.
0.15 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
Easy WebCam Recording Review – Video Capture Software Download

ChrisTV Professional 6.00

Provides video recording functionality for installed TV capture cards: ChrisTV is a Digital PVR that empowers users to take full control over TV capture cards, particularly those with WDM drivers already installed.
3.72 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
ChrisTV Professional Review – Video Capture Software Download

IP Camera Viewer 1.34

Set up a free IP camera monitoring system within minutes with IP Camera Viewer.
5.88 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree

H264 WebCam 3.99

A motion detection webcam and surveillance application program: H264 WebCam is a video surveillance program which supports a very long list of different cameras, with extensive support for different brands of webcams.
4.88 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
H264 WebCam Deluxe Review – Video Capture Software Download

MyCam 1.1

MyCam is a webcam capture program by Chinese company e2eSoft.
1.89 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
MyCam Review – Video Capture Software Download

CAM Wizard 10.15

The best CCTV software, turns any Vista/XP PC and webcam into a full motion detection, CCTV camera & VCR system.
7.59 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPShareware

Bandicam 2.0.0.638

Screen video recording software which can record a defined area: Bandicam is a video and screen capturing utility designed especially for video gamers and YouTube LPers.
6.23 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
Bandicam Review – Video Capture Software Download

Camera Plus 2.0 Gold

Camera Plus offers an integrated suite of 8 MPEG video applications to PC Camera owners.
57.19 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware

Surveillance Digital Video Recorder 4.0

Argus DVR is a video capturing program which works with USB cameras, IP cameras and video capture cards.
19.27 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware
Surveillance Digital Video Recorder Review – Video Capture Software Download

Open Video Capture 1.2.9.9

Capture video from Webcam, TV Tuners, DV and more: Open Video Capture is video capture software which can record video snapshots from TV Tuner cards, digital cameras (like Sony, Canon and Nikon), Camcorders, Video Input, VHS and digital video.
0.63 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
Open Video Capture Review – Video Capture Software Download

CoffeeCup WebCam 3.0

Easily capture from your webcam: CoffeeCup WebCam allows you to add live Webcam images to your Web site, quickly and easily.
10.74 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware

ContaCam 4.9.5

ContaCam is a Free Video Surveillance software and Live Webcam solution for Windows.
13.1 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree

Easy Video Capture 1.30.05

Easy Video Capture is a tool for recording your screen into AVI video.
0.57 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
Easy Video Capture Review – Video Capture Software Download

oCam 22.0

oCam is a screen recording application which, apart from supporting basic Windows applications, isn’t really suitable for anything more than slideshows or tutorials.
5.79 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPFree
oCam Review – Video Capture Software Download

FastCap 1.4.7

FastCap is a smart PC game and movie recorder to record and compress video and audio on the fly while you are playing them!
1.24 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware

Free Screen Video Recorder 2.5.31.1125

To date, Free Screen Video Recorder is probably one of the best freeware video capture applications which we have had the pleasure of testing out.
18.44 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
Free Screen Video Recorder Review – Video Capture Software Download

HyperCam 2.28.01

Capture audio and video from a PC screen: HyperCam is a freeware video desktop capturing tool which can capture actions from your Windows 7 desktop by following cursor movements along with video panning with support for annotations (subtitles).
0.95 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree
HyperCam Review – Video Capture Software Download

Dxtory 2.0.126

Dxtory is a movie capture tool only for DirextX/OpenGL application.
2.9 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPShareware

Digital Video Recorder 1.18

This version of Digital Video Recorder is a video capturing program designed to record from digital camera video streaming to AVI.
1.23 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware
Digital Video Recorder Review – Video Capture Software Download

Xeoma 14.5.19

Xeoma is free video surveillance software which provides video surveillance solution with construction-set principle and unlimited flexibility.
14.92 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree

Webcam Surveyor 2.4.1

Webcam Surveyor is complete software that combines video surveillance and video capture tools.
3.02 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware

ChrisTV Standard 6.00

A personal video recorder application for TV cards: ChrisTV Standard is a Personal Video Recorder (or PVR) for the PC which takes advantage of the unique features of a TV card.
3.65 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
ChrisTV Standard Review – Video Capture Software Download

WebCam Monitor 3.27

Webcam Video Capture Software: remotely view the activity from your camera: WebCam Monitor is a free webcam capture program which serves as an ideal solution to keep an eye on whatever your webcam is recording from anywhere in the world.
4.93 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTFree
WebCam Monitor Review – Video Capture Software Download

TinCam 1.08

Webcam capture utility: Create a webpage with live pictures or video from your webcam.
5.03 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
TinCam Review – Video Capture Software Download

CamUniversal 4.9.1.2

Webcam video capture software with tons of different features.
1.97 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
CamUniversal Review – Video Capture Software Download

Desktop Activity Recorder 2.00

Desktop Activity Recorder records PC screen activity to AVI or Flash files.
1.0 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPFree

3D Cam Video Capture 3.8

3D anaglyph capture from your web cam: HeavyMath Cam 3D is the only webcam software which enables you to record 3D anaglyph stereo video from two webcams.
3.81 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
HeavyMath Cam 3D Review – Video Capture Software Download

BB FlashBack 4.1.4.2665

Screen recording application for Windows: BB FlashBack Screen Recorder is a very easy-to-use screen capturing program designed mainly for creating simple presentations by recording your screen.
11.32 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
BB FlashBack Review – Video Capture Software Download

Willing Webcam 5.53

Willing Webcam is a simple, yet fully-featured webcam software designed to help you capture streaming video and snapshots and publish them on your website.
6.03 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware

CamGuard Security System 4.1.14

CamGuard Security System turns your PC with WebCam into an advanced Video Security and Surveillance System.
6.16 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware

CamDVR 2.1.1.0

CamDVR is a Digital Video Recording software designed to work with all kind of video devices and to do a wide range of tasks.
4.8 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware

Growler Guncam 3.2.4.0

A game recording video capture tool, Growler Cuncam can create videos from various games being played and also supports recording of other types of applications.
1.59 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware
Growler Guncam Review – Video Capture Software Download

VCatcher 3.90

Just surf the Internet and watch a video.
29.3 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPFree

HandyAvi 5.0

Use any webcam to make time-lapse, motion-detect, meteor trail, planetary or animation movies.
6.56 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware

CamServer 2.0

Webcam Capturing Program: CamServer is a neat little surveillance program which lets users capture and record cameras from a local or even a remote location over the Internet.
419KB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPFree
CamServer Review – Video Capture Software Download

STOIK Capturer 1.0

Capture video from any device such as VCRs, DVB-T, webcam or other input devices: STOIK Capturer is a free and portable video capturing program which takes advantage of your current Windows display adapter driver.
0.23 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTFree
STOIK Capturer Review – Video Capture Software Download

AimOne Screen Recorder 1.31

AimOne Screen Recorder is a powerful video-recording software, allows you record the full screen, window or fixed-region to AVI or WMV files, You can even record audio into the video file, from any source including the microphone, line-in, or speakers.
1.14 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XP / NTShareware

Screenpresso 1.5.1

Simply screenshot or video capture part of the screen or a specific window with the same shortcut.
74.22 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPFree

Webcam Video Capture 5.480

Software to capture video from a variety of sources, including webcams: To be quite honest, Webcam Video Capture is a pretty low value product which promises to record video from webcam sources, yet doesn’t always pull it off with many users reporting issues with being asked to upgrade to versions which are either non-existent or simply not yet released.
6.57 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 (64-bit, 32-bit) / Vista / XPShareware
Webcam Video Capture Review – Video Capture Software Download

RGS-AvaCam 3.6.5

RGS-AvaCam is a free program for capturing screenshots from your webcam or other camera devices connected to your PC and recognized by the program.
1.04 MB | For Windows 7, Windows 8 / Vista / XPFree
RGS AvaCam Review – Video Capture Software Download