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We'll give it to you straight. You won't find a zoom feature, a huge variety of compressors or file types, or a video editor in the free CamStudio 2.5 (beta). What you will find is a small, sturdy screencast app that faithfully records your PC in AVI and SWF (Flash) formats. There are many fine features in the intuitive, open source app to recommend it, including an option to highlight the cursor path during a recording session, automatically pan, and record with sound. A brand-new effects menu scoops on the ability to annotate and append videos with comments, a time stamp, and a territorial watermark. Just don't get too crazy all at once.
There's clearly a long way to go for CamStudio to catch up with commercial rivals--most grumble-worthy is the lack of file type support outside AVI and SWF files and the absent editor for trimming, splicing, and optimizing a video. If those aren't strong concerns, this freebie, with its steady playback and modicum of audio and video settings options, will provide the necessary tools for creating quick demos and screencasts.
Publisher's Description
From CamStudio:
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)
What's new in this version: Version 2.5 beta adds recording a region by windows, mouse-button-based visual feedback, true multilanguage support, recording audio from speakers, and a variety of other new features and fixes.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 180 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 35 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Works fine, possible to get clean version"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Nice. Free. Program does what it says on the lid.
Cons
There were problems a little while ago with some yucky programs being bundled with this. I went straight to the CamStudio website, got version 2.7. They'd stopped using the company that was adding the yucky adware/spyware.
If you download straight from CNet be careful, do a custom install, and uncheck any boxes.Summary
I needed to do a quick screen grab. I used Irfan view to make a slide show, and then used CamStudio to make it into a video. Worked sweet.
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"OK for a Freebie, but use caution."
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Free software
Cons
A lot of background loaded and running with this software. Fortunately I was able to shutdown and turn off most of it. I'm sure this is because its free. If your able or willing to do these things I would not load it. An example is RealPlayer. It loads with this program and will run in the background. It will also load as your primary media player if your not careful. I have not used it since loading, but plan on it within a few days. 2.5 stars is based just on the download and installation. And this is because of the download and running in the background and eating processor and RAM. The program itself might be fine. I will find out.
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"Stay Away From This Download"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
There is None
Cons
Good think I have good protection right when I opened the file my antivirus say it as a Virus
Summary
Don't Download or Install
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"Surreptitiously installed nasty software called MixiDJ"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
None. I judge a program on the bundled software that comes with it, and the bundled software is about as bad as it gets.
Cons
MixiDJ is a nightmare and took two hours to remove all traces of it from IE, Mozilla, Chrome, and my registry, where it had tried to hide in several places and continuously reinstall itself and prevent removal. MixiDJ is given full access to your data, searches, and entered information, and the fact that it was quietly bundled in CamStudio makes CamStudio just as guilty for allowing this to happen. Whatever qualities CamStudio may have had were negated by what MixiDJ did to my system, and as soon as I had cleared all traces from my registry and manually removed all the add-ons and plug-ins it had installed in my browsers, I quickly deleted CamStudio as well. Good riddance.
Summary
Installing CamStudio was a really baaaaaaad idea.
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"It does what is says it will do and for FREE!"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
The product does exactly what is says it will do if you take the time to set it up correctly. What the heck do you expect for free? If you want to capture continuous screenshots then this is the simplest and easiest way I have found and the price is right for what I need.
Cons
The default settings, options etc. are not set to user friendly mode in my opinion but it is for free so instead of spending a few minutes punching in your credit card details etc. why not spend that time going through it's settings and options etc. and setting them to suit your purposes.
it will not make you more beautiful
it will not make you richer
it will not make you the next big director/producer in Hollywood
BUT IT NEVER SAID IT WOULD!Summary
I don't normally comment on these things but given the bad reviews a few of you morons have been giving this fine little product I feel I should give my experience with it. I have been using it for about a year now and came here to get a new version for my Windows 7 and YES it does work on W7 and no I did not get any unwanted tool bars etc. Why don't you guys read what you are getting and when it comes time to install it perhaps rather than hitting the "I am a moron and I do not know how to do a custom install so give me every unwanted tool bar out there that is floating around the net" you should perhaps click custom install and say "no" to these not so wonderful unwanted things. If you want to capture continuous screenshots then this the the simplest and easiest way I have yet to find and the $0 price is right also. It will not stop recording in X seconds unless you have set it to stop there. I have recorded hours of screenshots and I expect to do so with the new W7 install also. It works exactly the same for W7 as for my previous operating system. Any ****** can be a critic but please try to be accurate about your lack of pc experiences and knowledge and please don't blame your stupidity on a fine little product like this.
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"PLEASE AVOID THIS PRODUCT"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
None. The software would only install a rogue toolbar [Mixi DJ Search]
Cons
1. It does not even install [Windows 7, Asus X53E i5 2nd generation]
2. It installs its own toolbar and search engine [Mixi DJ Search]
3. It also installs a programme which prevents the user from altering the search engine
4. It is proving very difficult to remove this material [I assume this is spyware]Summary
Shame on you, CBS! You are claiming that the software on your site can be downloaded safely.
Well, something has happened to this software since your claim [and presumably your review]. I may be mistaken, but this software appears now to be a pretense for downloading and installing spyware on the user's computer.
It really calls into question your ability to offer a secure and safe service.
You really need to check this software again and show the culprits the door.
Much more of this... and you are going to end up eventually without a website!
Your walk talks..... and talk walks. If you have ears to hear, LISTEN! -
"THE STUPIDEST PRODUCT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
NO PROS AT ALL!!!!
(I SHOULD HV NOT DOWNLOADED IT AT ALL)Cons
IT TURNS OFF MY ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE AND DAMAGES MY LAPTOP.
WINDOWS WORKS f****** SLOWLY.Summary
DONT DOWNLOAD IT IF YOU DONT WANT UR PC TO BE DAMAGED
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"Crapware! Hijacks your browser. Decides your homepage."
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
After downloading it I can say there are no Pros.
Cons
Hijacks your browser
Makes Mystar Incredibar as homepage
Choppy screen capture
Horrible frame rate
Does not work well on Windows 7
Interface sucks
Setup sucksSummary
I still have not figured out how to remove the garbage addons that were added to my browser. I specifically unchecked the option to install any addons but it still did it anyways. I manually changed my homepage but whenever I start a new tab, guess what? the homepage set by this crapware shows up. As far as being able to record anything of quality, forget it. I tried capturing gameplay and the screen became choppy (PC with 12GB of memory). The video stunk. It says free, but it isn't because it forces you to have to deal with internet browser addons you did not want and with trying to reset your browser settings. It costs you wasted time and delivers nothing in return. Scanning my PC now to see what other crapware came with it.
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"It is a ok software for free"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
It's Free
It's easy to record a window or your full screenCons
Not very good GUI for advance settings
Not very good frame rate and quality -
"Terrible product"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Free and that's all
Cons
Won't record
audio is terrible
When it records gaming, its terrible quality and makes the game almost unplayableSummary
I would NOT recommend anyone or anything to use this junk software.
