CNET Editors' review
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:
3.3 starsout of 161 votes
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Current version:
2.9 starsout of 16 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Pissed me off"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
its a free program thats all i can say
Cons
In windows 7 ... anything longer than 10 minutes I would get this error: File Creation Error. Unable to rename/copy audio file. Plenty of disk space. I wasted so much time with this product.It actually worked great at first but then started giving me all kinds of problems.
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"THE 2.0 Cam Studio is the best available NOT THIS ONE"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
They don't have the 2.0 version here but you can still get it at the Cam.Studio home site.
It took me a long time to test CamStudio and it was because of all the bad reviews that I've read I figured why bother.
Well I decided to try the 2.0 version and with a little fine tuning I found that it is by far the best video capture available.
I did try this beta version here but don't like it one bit.
This review is for the 2.0 , and like I said it can be obtained at the CamStudio site
I tested the 2.0 in XP , Vista , and Windows 7-64bit , and it works perfectly in every one of my machines .
First of all if you want a very good video you need to also install CamStudios lossless codec (availble at their site).
I think that was the gripe of a lot of users , but with this codec the picture really sharpens up.
This Codec will install in XP and Vista but not Windows 7 , but no problem because I'll tell you what to use in 7 also.Cons
NONE if we're talking CamStudio 2.0 , this new beta is for the birds.
Summary
OK I ran out of space up there so I'll spell out what to use in each OS.
PS: I forgot to note RECORD TO AVI
One note first : This comes with several codecs already installed ,and I would never use the Microsoft video 1 codec , and the reason being is that it creates a Huge file .
On XP and Vista = Use the lossless codec if you want a better quality video but a slightly bigger file , of if you'd like a smaller file with a decent picture use the Cinepak codec by radius ( also pre installed in 2.0 )
On Windows 7 64bit = I stick with the Cinepak codec ,it does a pretty good job and the file isn't huge.
You can use the Microsoft video 1 codec but it will be a much larger file.
The reason I don't use the lossless codec here is because it won't install in Windows7 64bit.
Now here's the best news of all, and partially why I say CamStudio is the Best to use.
CamStudio WILL NOT install a freakin Toolbar or try to highjack your home page , and if you read my other reviews here about a couple of the more popular video recorders you'll see what a pain in the butt they are and the massive problems one in particular causes.
I won't mention the names here but my reviews are available to see here at C/Net.
Cam Studio 2.0 is Safe , it's hassle free , and the company won't disrespect you by highjacking your friggin home page or by installing a hated and un needed tool bar.
And one more thing , in a few reviews about other Video recorders it made it sound like all you had to do was click no and they wouldn't install. BS
Updated on Nov 24, 2011 -
"This download does not work"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
000000000000000
Cons
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Summary
I've downloaded 3 times and some files appear to be missing after you install.
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"Currently a waste of space"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Doesn't work well in Windows 7, as earlier reviews confirm. Distorted colours and epileptic playback make the programme unusable.
Summary
Clearly used to be a good programme, but needs integrating with Windows 7.
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"I have used this program for several years , really god"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Easy to use
no freezes
no unwanted tool barsCons
Resoltion and audio is not great
Summary
try it
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"Does perfectly what it is supposed to do"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Interface is a bit simple
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"Not this time...."
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Price. Worked for me before on XP
Cons
but not today on 7. Unable to record speaker sound (error on selecting), and although the video recorded, it was upside down and poor quality
Summary
I do not know if the problem is my computer, Windows 7, or the studio, but for now it's back to the drawing board...
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"Not the best."
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
- Free
- Simple click and record.Cons
- Poor interface
- Too much messing around with codecs
- Lossless codec is practically extinct
- No dedicated editor
- File size is too large for recordings
- Prone to bugs and crashes
- Lack of support
- Lack of updatesSummary
Overall Camstudio is by and large the worst screen capture application I have ever used. I spent too long trying to get the right settings that would work for YouTube and I also had trouble getting the lossless codec.
The interface is disgusting, it crashes way too often, and the video quality is generally poor. Thankfully this application is free, however I do not think it's worth using.
There have been no updates, there is no real support. Seems like Abadonware to me. -
"Just what I needed."
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
Simple to use
Cons
No cons for me.. it worked with all the features I needed.
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"Lousy Capture"
Version: CamStudio 2.6b
Pros
It's quick and easy to use, plus it's free.
Cons
The playback is lousy, the screen stutters and the color distorts like crazy. I tried different settings and it's still bad. This used to be a good product. What happened?
Summary
Just another story in the long line of good products gone bad. What once was a cool software, is now crap. I'm sorry to say this because I really like this software and used it a lot. Not anymore. Bummer.
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