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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)
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.
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 179 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 131 votes
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My rating:
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"OK when it works...horrible when it does not."
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
When I first downloaded it I was impressed. It was good considering it was free.
Cons
The status of the program goes to "flashing" and the entire screen starts flashing green. Thanks for nothing!
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"Garbage!!!"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
Nada, zero
Cons
It doesn't work. Installation is guess work.
Summary
I unzipped it, and found no setup file. There are 3 exe's: Player, PlayPlus and Recorder. So I ran Recorder. Like most video capture SW, it does not record sound from the web, unless you run a cable from your speaker out to your line in. Sizing a recording box on the screen didn't work, so I had to use full scree. Finally I could record a few minutes. But I tried to do a 1-hour video, and pressed STOP at the end. Then it asked for a file name and then didn't seem to indicate anything, but it was actually writing out the 2 GB file, while it said it was converting but not responding. Then it said it could not sync the video and sound so wrote 2 files. But Player and PlayPlus could not play them - just black. My DivX player couldn't play them either.
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"Easy to use and intuitive."
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
A) it is free; B) it is a quick way to grap animation on the computer for Power Point presenation
Cons
No cons for how i was using it.
Summary
Great software to grab Windows animations for demonstation and presenations.
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"trouble with download"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
sounds sweet however
Cons
several files not found after unzipping dll and library files missing
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"Simple, easy and useful -> Highly recommended"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
It works very good. A free aplication focusing to be useful.
I installed in Windows Vista and run without problem.Cons
None. Because it works good.
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"Great, Simple and Easy but it slows a little computer"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
Good software for registering in file video all what happen on screen.
Once it is stetted it works very well. It makes a temporary file up to we decide for finishing register, then it need give a name anf file is saved in "document" as defaultCons
None at this moment
Summary
Language supported english & german.
Usefull software, must have for all users. -
"Wasn't what I was looking for"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
No comment
Cons
Software did not do what I was looking for, but I couldn't tell from product description on CNET website.
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"Good Software"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
Simply works
Cons
The size.....too big......
Summary
I like this software
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"Got too many don't works. Too many not works......>"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
It is indeed Free. This is all that is good about it.
Cons
Too many don't works and too many not works. Simply too Amateurish.
Summary
Better to spend a buck for something that works.
The best thing about this software is it's FREE! Poorly Done! Amateur developer!
Updated on Oct 2, 2010 -
"I Suppose it Works"
Version: CamStudio 2.5 beta
Pros
It's free and open-source
Cons
Terrible quality, even worse frame rate. Was using it to record an OpenGL application that normally runs at 30-40 FPS, and while recording the application dropped to 10 FPS. Meanwhile, CamStudio also recorded the video at about 10 FPS.
Summary
If you need something to make a quick and dirty video, I suppose it works. But be careful, it doesn't compress videos, so even a small video can quickly become an enormous file. A 5 minute AVI video was over half a GB. Unfortunately, it's the only half-decent free desktop recording software I've found for Windows, so far. Fortunately, I do most of my work on Linux.
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