Jeffrey Daniel Frey’s Blog

Notes from today’s Screencasting session at the Podcast and New Media Expo:

About ScreenCastsOnline
   - Weekly Video Podcast launched August 2005
   - Primarily Mac Software Video Tutorials
   - Over 120+ screencasts

Business Model
   - Free Content
   - Free Show - 640X360 resolution - every fortnight
     o via RSS and iTunes
     o Full show list on website - categorized and searchable
   - Open forum for Mac related discussions and show comments
   - Extra! Membership - $45 to join incl. 6 months, $25 renewal
   - Member only premium content shows
   - Full screencast each week - High Definition, ED & iPod
   - Access to entire back catalogue
     o multiple secure RSS feeds for year and resolution
     o Secure members website with direct links
   - Sponsored shows
   - Affiliate arrangements with software vendors
   - DVD Sales
   - Corporate screencasts
   - Adsense ads
   - Some Statistics (Libsyn L.E.S. Statistics - September 2007)
     o Previous Days Downloads 7,700
     o Previous Weeks Downloads 36,800
     o Previous Months Downloads 127,1414
     o Total Raw Requests 4.4 million

What is a ScreenCast
   - Non interactive video demonstration of software or web applications on a computer desktop accompanied by spoken content.

Benefits of ScreenCasting
   - Extremely effective learning method
   - Visual (Spatial) Learning
   - Relay complex instructions easily
   - Allows viewer to understand context
   - Allows viewer to focus on subject
   - Video - delivered via iTunes
   - Easy to perceive value - training
   - Potential for monetization
   - Deliver HD content in relatively small file sizes (20 minute HD Video = 4.4 GB compresses to 62 MB)

Mac Software
   - Snapz Pro X, iShowU
Windows Software
   - Techsmith Snagit, Techsmith Camtasia Studio
Cross Platform
   - Techsmith Jing Project
Preparation
   - Know your subject or at least the topic
   - Analyze the best approach
     o Basics - Advanced - Re-inforce
   - Create your materials
     o Scenarios, Documentation, Graphics
     o Set in context
Recording
   - Set screen resolution to match capture
   - Use Animation Codec for lossless capture - frame rates?
   - Record in small segments
   - Record in high quality audio
   - Avoid “Dead Screen” as much as possible
   - If you screw up, record again but keep continuity
Additional Capture Tips - From a Mac Perspective
   - Create a new user account for capture
   - Clear menu bar, clear desktop, clear folders
   - Real Time Effects
     o Omni Dazzle
     o Boinx MousePose 2
     o iMovie HD & Final Cut Express - Non editable presets - Use HDV (1280X720) or DV (PAL or NTSC)
     o Final Cut Pro
        § Can use customized settings so will accept virtually any resolution or codec
        § Multi Layer Video and Audio Track
        § Final Cut Studio also includes Motion and Compressor
Specialized Hardware
   - Dual Monitor display
   - Dedicated keyboard
   - Secret Weapon Shuttle Pro2
     o Dedicated Jog Wheel
     o Programmable Keys
     o Macros
Final Cut Pro Trip
   - Switch on the wave form in the audio track
   - Turbo charge your typing
   - Use Freeze Frames
Encoding
   - Export finished video in full quality from Final Cut pro
     o Pixelmator Tutorial - 20 minutes = 4.4 GB @ 1280X720
   - H.262
     o Scaleable, efficient, excellent results
     o Becoming ubiquitous due to iTunes
     o Flash support H.264
   - Quicktime Pro
     o Inexpensive
     o Fully featured
     o Ideal for single jobs (but can be used for multiple jobs)
     o Can also be used for trimming and basic editing
   - Compressor
     o Part of FC Studio
     o Presets & droplets
     o Multiple Jobs
     o Batch processing
     o Distributed encoding
   - So what values to use to reduce the file size
     o H.264 codec
     o Frame Rate: 12-15 fps (as low as 5fps)
     o Resolution - Reduce in multiples:
     o 1280X720, 960X540, 640X360, 320X180
     o Data Rate: Automatic or experiments
     o Quality: medium to Best
     o Warning - Apple presets make huge files

Distribution
   - You have content - normal podcasting workflow kicks in!
   - Personally…
     o Website: SiteGround for Hosting, Rapidweaver
     o Media File Hosting: Libsyn - Unlimited bandwidth
     o RSS Feed Creation: Feeder - Multiple Feeds
     o Membership management: aMember
     o Payment System: PayPal
     o coupon code: pnme2007
     o More information on monetizing your podcast: at www.podcast-monetizer.com

Got a tip from a podcast listener that Apreso was an awesome tool that I should check out. I did… and he was right.

It definitely fills the niche of a university that does not want to do it themselves (patching together multiple solutions and manual processes to capture lectures and distribute them). Though it might seem a bit expensive on the front end… you have to consider what all the software, hardware, and labor costs are of implementing a solution like this on your own.

Though I don’t have any personal experiences with the solutions, I did get a demo from someone and read 10 +/- reviews online. Check it out for yourself at http://www.anystream.com/industries-edu.asp.

I had a query this week from a faculty member who is going to be travelling for a few weeks this semester and wouldn’t be able to make it to the regular class time. She wanted to keep the students on a regular schedule, and no one else was available to teach. What was my recommendation? Podcasting of course.

She described her regular class to me as her speaking, using slides with a presentation software from her laptop, and occasionally bringing up another screen on her laptop to show examples or type something new (text editing software, browser, etc.). My further recommendation? Screencasting.

A screencast is a recording of your computer screen, with audio voice over, published as a video file. In this case, the professor could sit with her computer in her hotel room and conduct the class just as she would if she were in front of the class. The contents of her laptop screen would be recorded along with her speaking and saved as one video file. That video file can then be compressed or converted and uploaded to her website. A quick edit of her RSS file to include the new podcast, and her students now have a new class on their computer or portable device to listen to.

So, what screencast software is out there for you to get started with? What’s the best screencast software? Which screencast software works best for podcasting? Which screencast software do I, and my clients, use? How many times can I get away with “it depends” until you all quit listening to me?… but truthfully… it depends.

My usual advice is to download the trial version of 3 to 5 screencast software packages, using them once in a real life situation, and then buying the one that you got the best results out of and though was easiest to use.

1. Best results: I go with this first because if you’re a podcaster, you know that there are a lot of companies and podcasters with money out there that can make a good product. Lots of production time, great cameras and lighting, the software to add all the cool effects… a screencaster has to make sure that what he or she is putting out, first and foremost, looks good.
2. Easiest to use: Ease of use is very important. I know of many people who, if they dread doing what they’re doing, will stop. The software you pick must be intuitive for you to use, or else it will take you longer, and you won’t want to do it. With that said, the first thing to look at is results… so you may have to do a bit of learning with that piece of software that looks the best.

Where to find information on screencast software?

I don’t want to send you down any paths to waste your time, but I do believe it’s important for you to find the right software. So, go to http://www.podhive.net/wiki/index.php?title=Software_Screencast and scroll down to the screencast software listings. Follow the links to the various websites and download the free trials. Try them out, see which one works for you.

In my experience, on a mac, I like to use Snapz Pro X. It matches with both of my requirements above… it puts out great videos and is easy to use. I do also have Camtasia Studio for the PC (though I only have it through work because the price tag is too big for me to justify it with personal use). It is very easy to use.

Once you’ve downloaded a few demos and decided how much you can spend, check out some of what other users are saying. You may find someone in a similar situation as you, and they recommend doing something a bit different:

• Great Rundown of Software
• Another Page to Check Out
• Linux Screencasting?