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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 183 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 39 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Worked Awesome for my needs"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
I had no problem with this software. I used it in concert with my Snagit license. It worked fine. I snagged images and made a recording. I then spliced and diced it into a presentation that was used at work. I was able to separate audio from video, then use just the audio. I was able to easily cut out video I didn't want. I could overlay images and video over top video over top video with the numerous tracks. I loved the software and for my needs it was great.
Cons
Occasionally I would get an error that the software could not process a video. I would save the video. Close the program. Open the program back up, and not have an issue. I worked around that bug.
Summary
I'm a novice and this is my first crack at using this type of software. I pulled together a video for work that wowed plenty of people including the CTO. I'm now looking at buying the product because we have been asked to make a similar video for another project.
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"Lot of reviews are wrong"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
I tested this program (version 2.7) on a Virtual Machine, and the only review I could confirm was the lack of a zoom feature. No toolbars or other software installed. By AV was not turned off, etc.
Cons
At this point, other than the non-zoom, nothing.
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"You get what you pay for with this awful program."
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
It's free. What limited features it does provide are easy to use.
Cons
I tried this program on 3 different computers. Issues didn't arise until I was done recording. 9 times out of 10, I could not access the program when I was done recording. As a result, I could not stop the recording or save it. I had to use ctlr-alt-delete to stop the close the program. This would cause my screen to flicker. -forcing me to restart. I was very patient with this program.
Summary
Awful program. If you take your own screen recordings seriously stay away from this CamStudio. Even if it worked properly, it is so limited in features as to be a complete waste of time. Don't make any mistakes while recording because you won't be able to edit them out.
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"Visual noise only"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Easy to download
Cons
Did not work at all. It just displayed white noise. It acts like it's recording, but when you play back, it just displays visual noise.
Summary
I used it before, I guess updates screwed this one up.
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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!
