Many play-by-play broadcasters who are doing Webcasts get frustrated when they go to the online archive of their broadcast only to find they can’t download the video. They wonder, “How can I put this broadcast on my demo?”
The answer is easy. Not necessarily inexpensive, but worth it.
You need screen capture software
It records whatever is on your computer, audio and video. Two of the most popular pieces of screen capture software are ScreenFlow and Camtasia.
I use ScreenFlow and I love it. However, it’s only for Macs. Camtasia works on PC and Mac as long as you have the OS 10 or above. Both record in HD.
A great thing with both programs is that after you record your online broadcast, you can easily edit. If you’ve ever used iMovie and pulled your hair out because it’s so non-intuitive, you will love ScreenFlow. My son was a ScreenFlow pro by the fifth grade. It’s easy to use.
The big difference? Camtasia is $199; ScreenFlow $129.
The programs are not identical. For example, in Camtasia you can write on your screen like a telestrator. That’s pretty cool, but I never need that. ScreenFlow is totally sufficient for recording and editing your online videos.
One thing I don’t like about ScreenFlow is when I update the operating system on my Mac, I sometimes have to update ScreenFlow as well. At $35 bucks a pop, that frustrates me. I love ScreenFlow so much, though, that the additional investment is worth it.
Stop going nuts when you’re unable to download your Webcast archives. An investment in screen capture software is an investment in your career and your sanity.
3 Comments
Jon Chelesnik
A friend who does DI play-by-play added this nugget . . .
“If you can view the video on a smart TV, there is a device called a happague that cost $150. I use it for TV games — it records whatever is on your TV. Works like a charm.”
Here’s the Amazon link http://amzn.to/2Hr3CpI
Don Wadewitz
I use Camtasia and love it though I rarely use it to capture video like that. I use a program called Video Downloader Ultimate (only for Windows 10+). It’s very inexpensive and allows you to download video from YouTube, Facebook, and any other program where there’s a URL essentially. The program runs from $20 for basic to $50 for the pro version. Beats having to do 1-to-1 recording for time. It can even record live streams.
Jon Chelesnik
Great recommendation, Don. I was unfamiliar with Video Downloader Ultimate. Thank you!