A 30 minute session generates an .avi file of less than 100Mb, often a lot less.

Hope this helps

Read your article with interest. Noticed on your 3rd page that your “Bottom Line” was from the Screencam product, not Camtasia.

Haven’t looked at these tools in a while, may do so again thanks to your review.

Question:
Is it possible to redirect the screen capture from the test computer to a second computer, for viewing and recording in a nearby room with audio. Our need is to allow a person to do a usability test with an observer.
Perhaps redirected recording would be possible on a LAN shared drive?

Another related issue not directly part of your test purpose (so you may not have an answer, but it is worth asking).
We still want to veiw the client, with whom the observer will need to interact. Two video cameras and two sets of microphone audio are also desired for capture. Do you know of a way to integrate PC screen, video, and audio capture in one session for live or future review. ie. the whole lab capture package.

The second question is off target in response to your stated goal, but you may have looked at this issue as well….

Thank you

Retrospection runs in the background, using a low amount of computer processing power. It was specifically designed to track screen activity for technical support purposes, QA testing, and product testing.

Well, Karl did say he was looking for 10 frames/sec. and he used a screencam for his “thinkafter” project. So that seems to be “real” usability testing. But the key consideration here is *cost*. Does a screencam tool provide value to low-budget usability evaluations? It can, but no guarantees (good notes from good observers go a long ways, without any fancy equipement. Video may not be needed at all, whether screencammed, camcordered, or scan converted.)

People looking to record screens who have a bit more money might also consider a consumer level scan converter to record computer monitor >> VCR.

Hey, nobody’s perfect!

thanks for the review! Just two comments:

Camtasia supports Windows 2000 and XP. We’ve supported each OS within months of their respective releases.

On page four you talk about using HyperCam and TSCC. Its a cool trick. As an FYI, you need Camtasia installed on the same machine as Hypercam to make it work. The TSCC alone won’t do it. You likely had both installed and that’s why it was successful.

Thanks again for your review and recommendations! I hope you enjoyed your backpacking!

Troy Stein
Camtasia Marketing Manager

Camtasia runs on just about everything (so does Hypercam). It’s Lotus Screencam that doesn’t suppport Windows 2000/XP.

As for “FrontCam” at http://www.maxfeel.com/, I was previously unaware of the product. If I had heard of it before I might have included it in the review.

–karl