Mac Apps
Video tutorials seem to be appearing everywhere at present, and recently I’ve been researching the best ways to record and process screen recording videos on a Mac. There are plenty of recording and capturing tools out there, but they vary in their functionality. Some only capture images, others record the screen and some of them listed below additionally record sound.
If you’re looking for a tool to simply take screenshots, two I would recommend are LittleSnapper and Skitch (or the in-built utility in OS X).
In the past days I’ve tried a few different applications – some are good and some not, but I’ll show you the ones I think are useful. Please note that some of the applications aren’t freeware, but pricing information and links to the developer sites are provided. Without further ado, let’s delve into the world of screen capture software – we’ll start with free applications with fairly limited functionality and gradually work up towards the more expensive players.
Copernicus
Copernicus
Copernicus allows you to record screenshots, very short videos, but no sound. You can take images and store them in a virtual photo gallery or just save them on your Mac. I recommend using this application for taking images, when writing a tutorial, where screenshots are needed or whenever you want to demonstrate a particular moment on screen.
Publisher: Danicsoft
Size: 4.9 MB
License: Freeware
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Download: Copernicus
Capture Me
Capture Me
Capture Me however, offers more options like a floating capture window, which is resizable to different resolutions and provides several output options. As well as Copernicus, Capture Me only provides a screen capturing mode, for taking pictures. A video recording mode – again with no sound – does exist, but with a limited duration of one minute it is useless for recording video tutorials.
Publisher: Chimoosoft
Size: 0.58 MB
License: Freeware, Open source
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Download: Capture Me
Capture It
Captureit
Captureit is a new product which was published recently. It not only provides functionality for capturing images, but also recording screen output. The developers concentrated on making it fast and easy to use, which it is. Additional features include multiple export formats for the iPhone and YouTube. It costs $15, but you can use the trial version for 15 days before buying it.
Publisher: UncleMiF
Size: 1.2 MB
License: Demo, $15
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Download: Captureit
ScreenRecord
ScreenRecord
ScreenRecord captures a video of your screen as a Quicktime movie. With a simple interface and low price tag, it’s an appealing tool if you’re just experimenting with screencasting. The publisher also mentions that this tool can be used as a “monitoring device”, further information on which can be found in the user guide.
Publisher: Mien Software
Size: 6.5 MB
License: Demo, $16
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or higher
Download: ScreenRecord
iShowU
iShowU
iShowU is my personal favorite. There are two different versions available – if you are using Mac OS 10.4, you will only be able to use iShowU classic. It’s relatively inexpensive and provides very nice recording options for sound and video.
For users with Mac OS 10.5 and later there is a HD and HD Pro version, which is even more powerful than its forerunner. What makes this tool so easy to use is the understandable interface and in-built options such as scalability, highlighting actions and displaying keyboard commands. It is compatible with editing applications such as Final Cut and provides multiple output formats for web, internet video, email and several others.
Publisher: shinywhitebox
Size: 7.1 MB
License: Demo, $20 – $60 depending on version
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Download: iShowU
ScreenFlick
Screenflick
Screenflick features similar functions like the other tools so far, but assures smooth, fluid motion with up to 60 frames per second. Just as with iShowU, Screenflick additionally records internal and external sound. Another useful feature is the ability to display keyboard commands and highlights on mouse clicks. An important feature that some of this tools provide is the possibility to save project files with the raw screen footage, to later modify and export the video. These projects can be exported multiple times in different sizes and versions, without affecting the original footage.
Publisher: Araelium Group
Size: 3.0 MB
License: Demo, €29, currently $25
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Download: Screenflick
Screenium
Screenium
Screenium is a German product with an additional English version of the tool and website. The tool is similar to the ones mentioned above. You can include a mouse pointer, highlight selections and movements in real-time, which makes the processing afterwards very fast and easy. It also features audio recording and a simple single-window user interface.
Publisher: Synium Software GmbH
Size: 6.3 MB
License: Demo, currently $38
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later
Download: Screenium
ScreenMimic
Screen Mimic
Screen Mimic is a recording application aimed at creating SWF Flash movies, FLV Flash videos or MOV Quicktime files. This app is starting to verge on the more expensive side, although doesn’t appear to offer a huge leap in functionality for the price. It might be worth considering if you particularly like the way it works, and is probably worth a try.
Publisher: Decimus Software
Size: 2.3 MB
License: Demo, $65
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or higher
Download: Screen Mimic
Snapz Pro X
Snapz Pro X
Snapz Pro X costs $69, but updates from Snapz Pro X 1.x or Movie Capture, start at $20. A range of demo videos are on their site to illustrate the end result of using the app. The app is supposedly “20 times faster” than any other screen recording software on the market and it includes many previously noted features. The interface and website is starting to look a little dated, and it doesn’t make the most of capabilities introduced in Leopard.
Publisher: Ambrosia Software
Size: 14.8MB
License: Demo, $69
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
Download: Snapz Pro X
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is the most expensive app featured, and as you’d expect is packed with features. You can record from desktop, a video camera, microphone & computer’s audio simultaneously to create a rich and compelling video. Powerful editing tools are available, making the most of Leopard technologies such as Core Animation and QuickLook. It’s really impressive, and seems to be worth the money if you’re planning on screencasting on a regular basis.
Publisher: Telestream, Inc.
Size: 5.1 MB
License: Demo, $99
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 or later
Download: ScreenFlow
Conclusion
Obviously it isn’t possible to go into great detail for each of these, and many of them include additional functionality over that noted. They all have individual selling points and depending upon your budget and specific requirements, different apps may fit the bill. I do feel that the niche is missing a ‘killer app’, one which is really well designed and easy to use – though that may just be my wishful thinking.
As is always the case with any roundup post, I’m sure I’ve missed a few which our readers swear by – feel free to let me know in the comments so I can try them out myself.
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digg_url = "http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/utilities-roundups/10-screen-recording-tools-for-mac/"; Video tutorials seem to be appearing everywhere at present, and recently I've been researching the best ways to record and ...
digg_url = "http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/utilities-roundups/10-screen-recording-tools-for-mac/"; Video tutorials seem to be appearing everywhere at present, and recently I've been researching the best ways to record and ...
digg_url = "http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/utilities-roundups/10-screen-recording-tools-for-mac/"; Video tutorials seem to be appearing everywhere at present, and recently I've been researching the best ways to record and ...
digg_url = "http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/utilities-roundups/10-screen-recording-tools-for-mac/"; Video tutorials seem to be appearing everywhere at present, and recently I've been researching the best ways to record and ...
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digg_url = "http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/utilities-roundups/10-screen-recording-tools-for-mac/"; Video tutorials seem to be appearing everywhere at present, and recently I've been researching the best ways to record and ...
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I personally use ScreenFlow and I love your ellegant and simple interface. I prefer the simple over the complicate functionability, specially in small projects.
I have played with iShowU and a few others. I really think iShowU is the best out of the lot. Even Adobe uses it for their screencasts. Really good quality video and audio, and for $20 it’s worth it if you are making your own screencasts.
I also personally use ScreenFlow and it’s great! The pricier app of the bunch, but worth the money.
TechSmith has recently announced the “mid-summer 2009″ release of a Mac version of Camtasia Studio. It is surely going to be the “killer app” that you are talking about.
I personally use Snaps Pro X but mainly because I received it from one of the Mac Vault bundles. It’s an awesome app but it does have its quirks like anything else. I’m with btorbo here though. Camtasia Studio is gonna be the one to beat. I did a project with it once when I used to use PC’s and it was powerful.
I bought Camtasia Studio for Mac and I realy love it: easy to use and many functions
Screenflow is by far the best
Thanks. Nice review
I use Screenflow on TutorialsForNoobs.com and it’s absolutely amazing. It’d be nice if I could set the recording area before I start recording, but apart from that it is my favorite application the Mac. It’s fluid, beautiful and works flawlessly.
I have to point out a missing gem from the list, and in my personal opinion, an application second only to screenflow in quality, and far beyond everything in capability and convenience.
Holy crap I sound like an ad…
It’s called Jing. It’s like Grabup for video screen capture with audio. I use it almost every day to interface with developers, and it allows for both video capture and screenshots, and you can tie it to your personal server. The workflow is capture – title – (simple inline editing if you captured an image) – share. It takes no time, has a light memory footprint, and is extremely useful. The yellow interface is absolutey hideous, but I overlook it for how useful it is.
http://www.jingproject.com
Omg… jing is out of the list?! I agree with you, Jing rules! And its free…
Other than jing, there’s screenjelly.com
Also FREE!!
Does jing Capture Quick time?
Thanx
Oh, side note: Jing is made by the same people that make Camtasia (mentioned by @btorbo above).
I’m a big big fan of Screenium. I love to record cool web ads and banners. I like the resize option so I crop only as I need. Like the interface as well.
I agree with @Josiah, 100%.
I discovered just yesterday Jing and I think that’s amazing.
Yes, sound like an ad, but it’s free and useful, so why don’t try??
InstantShot (http://projects.digitalwaters.net/index.php?q=instantshot)
simple, superbly efficient, always on the menubar
Cast another vote for ScreenFlow. I picked it up on MacZot when it was featured for $50. The ability to capture anything online and convert it immediately to my iPhone is totally worth the cost. I wish it could capture in a YouTube friendly format, though.
I’ve been using iShowU and have am very satisfied with it.
Nice collection! So many people are moving towards video distribution that it only makes sense to explore what’s out there.
Barbara,
you have to do something with your hair! First I thought that you were a man! Besides, your comment is lame!
IMO ScreenFlow blows away all the others. Yes, it’s pricier, but there are amazing features in the app and all are done non-destructively and added after the recording is done (keyboard input, mouse follow, zoom, etc.). And all can have (multiple) start/stop times. Be sure to give it a try, you will no doubt be amazed.
I really like ScreenFlow. I’ve been using it for a couple weeks and the non-destructive approach and editing is great. Also, I think it will grow well as an app. Thx.
Hey everyone,
I just took a look at Jing and it looks interesting. I’ll definitely give it a try.
Thanks for the comments and links. Bye
Try http://www.screenjelly.com also, its FREE
I have been using SnapzProX for a long time and its really cool!
Apple said… Personally me too.. “ScreenFlow” – For professional use, and users who can invest money for quality screen casts
I’m using iShowU – it’s really cool and the price is acceptable.
Cheers
Screenflow was just updated at 5:00 Eastern – now supports text layers (really cool), custom pointers and export to wmv (though why anyone would want to export to wmv… kidding lol)… I use Screenflow all the time… love it. all of the above are good – including Jing… but if you’re serious about screencasts – this is a mac tool you can’t ignore.
have a great one!
I personally use screenium, it’s my very first purchased screen capture software and it works awesome.
I did used SnapzProX and ScreenFlow. both did very satisfaction job with your requirements.
I use iShowu personally is an awesome app capture video.
Nice post, thanks.
I personally use Snapz Pro X for a year now, it does the job and it is fast.
I got it as a part of MacHeist package (almost free) and if you don’t care about Leopard eye candy, it is a good choice.
ScreenFlow is definitely tempting too!
what about Jing? Free.
Yeah, Jing?
I tried Jing (the free version) it’s almost useless. 20 seconds clip, 48 MB? That’s not practical. Maybe you guys were using Pro version because it promises to compress the video substantially in size. Anyway, I tried a bunch on these list and I think ScreenFlow takes the cake. Very easy to use. It takes 5 seconds for me to make the first clip. Moreover the export function is simple and seems to compress the video really well.
You should look into http://www.screenjelly.com
3min clips- much more practical.
Plus its FREE.
Check it out.
I use Screenflow and its an absolutely amazing. And the other thing which i like to mention that Screenflow was just updated at 5:00 Eastern. If any one use the older version then switch to the new one. Keep adding more and more information.
You are showing a detail review it is helpful for us.
Very easy to use. It takes 5 seconds for me to make the first clip. Moreover the export function is simple and seems to compress the video really well.
Those seem really cool, but I’ve been using ScreenJelly.com.
Its super easy and free.
Check it out, let me know what you all think.
This one is web-based but also quite interesting: http://screenr.com/ – worth checking out.
yes, these secreen capture tools are useful, i use eyestone screen capture software
Nice review! Thanks!
Jing is a great tool; I’ve been playing around with it today. I signed up for the Pro because the swf files are HUGE. With Pro the video is compressed as an mp4 file. However, the cost is low 14.95 for the Pro and it’s a re-occurring annual charge…so be aware. Still a great product and cost is low enough
Good useful review…
Thanks for sharing this information and post.
The beta version of SnagIt for Mac just came out – I’ve used Windows version and it’s been the best so I’m also looking forward to see how it grows with Mac.
SnagIt are from the creators of Camtasia.
These are the two best choices – at least as SnagIt advances through it’s development.
QuickTime Player, which comes (I believe) with your Mac has a screen recording capability under File ->New Screen Recording. There is a small drop down menu to enable audio capture as well.
quicktime can only capture the whole screen.
That you this is a great guide!!!
Try Voila screen recording http://bit.ly/Voila