CNET Editors' review
Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version from NCH Software turns your computer into a flexible, capable video capture and recording device. It can record video from a wide range of sources, including VHS VCRs, and save it in many formats; it can also capture screenshots and save them as JPEG stills. It will even capture and record video playing on your PC's screen. When all else fails but you've just got to save that clip, Debut can save the day.
Debut detected our video capture and playback devices, but it will automatically configure itself as a screen capture tool if no such devices are present. A full-featured, up-to-date interface let us not only capture and record video but also schedule and manage recordings. We pressed the first button on the toolbar, Webcam, and immediately our system's camera became active and started recording video. Clicking Device accessed a VHS video recorder via the line-in jacks on our video card; clicking Screen displayed our current screen view. The Schedule and Recordings functions needed no explanation, but the Selections tool proved more intriguing. This let us drag open a rectangular capture window on our desktop, or capture an entire window, and save only our selection, excluding the rest of the desktop. This greatly simplifies editing screen-captured video displayed in a small window. The program's options are basic for the genre, though we could configure snapshot quality, select a camera shutter sound, and defeat Debut's window in video recordings to prevent mirror effects. Debut also works with NHC's BroadCam live video streaming software to stream your video online, a capacity we didn't test.
Recording VHS video with Debut proved as easy as recording any video input via our system's video card (hooking a VCR up to a PC is the tricky part). We consider the results excellent: VHS-to-PC is limited by the quality of the source, which in this case is far inferior to your PC's screen. However, your digitally dubbed tapes will look normal when played back at the correct resolution on your TV. The ability to work well with a wide range of such devices sets Debut apart from less capable shareware and freeware video recording tools.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.49. The trial version is limited to 14 days.
Publisher's Description
From NCH Software:
Debut is video capture software that lets you capture video files directly on a PC from a Webcam, external devices, computer screen or streaming video. Debut Video Recording Software saves the new video file on your hard drive as AVI, WMV, or many other file types. You can also capture a snapshot (video still) from a video recording and save it to JPEG. Debut is designed to be very easy and intuitive to use, giving you the ability to record essentially anything from capturing video from a Webcam, your screen, or video input devices such as a VHS recorder within minutes of downloading.
Capture Streaming Video Features:
Capture video directly to your hard drive, Record video in many different file formats including .AVI, .WMV, .FLV, .ASF .MPG, .3GP, .MP4, .MOV. Record from your Webcam, screen, or video input device (e.g. VHS recorder), Record almost anything you can see on your monitor, record video and audio simultaneously, create photo snap-shots, add your own text captions or time stamp your videos, change color settings and video effects before recording, adjust video resolution, size, and frame rate for video capture, ability to burn directly to DVD with Express Burn Disc Burner, Works with BroadCam Video Broadcast Software to stream over the internet.
What's new in this version: Version 1.64 added support for DV camcorders and firewire devices, added social sharing options for YouTube, Facebook and more.
More Popular Video Capture Software downloads
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5,843 downloads
- CamStudio
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 126 votes
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Current version:
3.1 starsout of 15 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Works great!"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
I downloaded the FREE version, not the trial version, since I only wanted software to capture the video and audio from some instructional videos on the internet. If I use it for anything else it will be to make a few instructional videos for my office. So...for my simple needs it gets an A+++. The included tutorial is good although I had to play with the software a few minutes 'cause it didn't work quite the same as in the tutorials but I suppose it will be different on everyone's computer. Be sure to tick off your selections in the File/Options menu. I have Windows 7, 64 bit and no issues. I have not tried to use it with my webcam nor have I tried the scheduling. If you want something really simple to do just plain video/audio capture by all means try the free version and be sure to watch the tutorial (in the edit menu). I couldn't be happier. And what's better than free?
Cons
I haven't used it enough to find any.
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"Didn't work with my webcam"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Can't give any pros. Software did not work for me!
Cons
I downloaded this in hopes of making a video with my webcam, but it didn't work at all so I deleted it.
Summary
Don't waste your time with it.
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"Disappointing"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
It worked during the trial period
Cons
After I paid for the professional version and registered it it stopped working,I emailed customer support and they have not replied for two weeks. The program will not run except in compatibility mode for XP 2sp, then it will not completely shut down. When I uninstalled the program all of my video software stopped working, so I had to restore my system files to get my other software working.
Summary
Debut ver 1.64 does not work after you pay for it, there is no refund, and you can't uninstall it with its built in uninstall.exe, Windows Uninstaller, or Revo Uninstaller Without Major Problems with other Video Capture Software installed on your PC.
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"Disappointing"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
It caps in pretty good quality
Cons
Can't use this app well on video screen capturing games. I tried playing a game and running this up. It made it a little box in the left corner of the screen. Even when adjusting settings I couldn't change it.
Also, it lags very bad and is extremely slow to run.
Skips seconds when you play it back. It will cut them out all together.
Makes files only AVI and not any file. Which means you can't use it in any other program. Not idea how to fix it!
Sound sounds awful and hard to hear. Even with speakers up pretty loud.Summary
Waste of time.
just a pain because no screen capturing program has worked well for me so far. There is some problem with all of them! Any one have any suggestions on a good one?!
Updated on Jan 22, 2012 -
"Works great! Exactly what i was looking for"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Was looking for an easy to use screen capture video program that i can use to create training videos for my staff and clients. Downloaded the free trial version and it worked great so just purchased for $39
Cons
It's not HD quality (or maybe i haven't figured out how to adjust the settings) but still very satisfied
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"Does what it says on the tin"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Easy to use
Configurable
Sound recording goodCons
None so far (not used a lot yet)
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"Bizarre awesome!"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
On sale for 40 dollars. Full function.
NO rendering time needed. How do they do it. I have tried all the screen capture programs. Almost wrote a check for 350.00 for a top rated competitor. This is TRULY my software purchase of the year (and last year).
Saves in 720HD .mov which is easy to edit. Just a wonderful product. Might try some of their other products.
Note: People always ask me for computer help. I just record my screen and upload it to GoogleDocs. They have my help whenever they need it. Saves me a trip.
Bravo guys, bravo!Cons
Needs to be easier to pause/unpause. Waaah! (just whining)
Summary
I put a "buy" on this awesome program. Its ease of use will change your life.
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"Pretty good software"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Has many different recording options like including avi, wmv, flv, mpg, 3gp, mp4, mov and more
Cons
Audio doesnt work when recording with .flv
Summary
I have a Windows 7 machine with 3GB of ram and the software worked pretty well for me. I was basically looking for something that could record webinars because I had registered for 20 in one week. I had issues with the audio when recording in .flv format, so I switched to .avi and it worked great. I probably recorded like 17 of them in .avi and they all look and sound good. The 1 hour long webinars recorded in .avi came to approximately 100mb each for the videos, which isn't a lot. Bear in mind that the software uses the microphone in your webcam to pick up the audio. Someone else may have figured out another way to pick up the audio but that's how it worked on my computer.
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"great video capture"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
fast, easy, effective. can capture my audience's webcam or record anything that i'm doing on my desktop for instructional purposes.
Cons
none none none
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"I couldn't get it to work. Maybe it's me??"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
I don't know. I wanted to record an audio visualization with the audio to either .avi or .wmv format. Neither one worked. Maybe I didn't have something set right. But it seems to me, for what they're charging, they should have some automatic settings for doing what I wanted to do. It wasn't covered in their faq. I followed the directions and it didn't work for me.
Cons
No support either.
Summary
I want something that has presets for recording both the audio and the video from audio visualisations in WinAmp and Windows Media Player. This didn't seem to have anything like that.
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