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.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 131 votes
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Current version:
3.0 starsout of 20 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"It Works, Sort of..."
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Easy to install;
Easy to configure; (sort of)
Easy to Use.Cons
A little confusing at first;
Captured sound is muddled;Summary
Debut Video Recording Software does pretty much what it says that it will do, capture video being displayed on your computer screen! It is easy to use, starts up quickly and is easy to terminate and save your file.
The problem that I had with it is that no matter what configuration I had used for the captured audio, it sounded like it was being recorded underwater using a sono-mike, really muffled.
I'll keep playing with it to see if I can get it cleared up, as it does seem to have an easy interface to capture video... -
"Clock Cycles, re-register, re-purchase"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
This package seems to work fine--when it DOES work.
Cons
About 6 months after I installed this, it started crashing--I got a pop-up telling me there was an update. Then, the program started using about 10-20% of my clock cycles--WHILE IT WAS NOT EVEN RUNNING--it took me a while to track down the process. So I uninstalled this product, re-installed, and it will NOT take my registration code numbers: it says that I'm using an older copy--it's only 8 months OLD!
Summary
If you want to re-purchase this software every 6-8 months, have 'sneak-ware' install itself when you intstall THIS product, watch your cpu temp go up due to excessive load while not even running this, and you enjoy mediocre video editing, then by all means--this product is for you!
[UPDATE]
I have not contacted NCH about any of this--they get feedback statistics from their product--they know better.
Updated on Mar 26, 2012
I've just managed to find the original copy on my network, and have re-installed this program. I entered the original registration codes back in, and now the program seems 'back to normal'--I dare not update this software and risk going through all that nonsense again. -
"unacceptable. Changes search bar, adds unwanted browser"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Sadly the video functions work in a useful manner. This is way less important than the fact that you lose browser functionality, and the software makes several changes to one's browser that can take hours to correct. Who knows what other changes and problems this software makes.
Cons
Changes browser search functions. Adds unwanted tools such as facesmooch etc.
Summary
Dont do it unless you dont mind having your browswer changed and a bunch of junk installed on your computer.
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"Sort of worked, sort of didn't"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Accurate detected all USB and the one built in camera
Cons
No instructions I could find, opens browser to their page after each use (big no-no with me), missed firewire camera, crashes when I try to limit file sizes and have it create new ones automatically afterwards, did not find any claimed scheduling for video
Summary
I expect any demo program I evaluate to be fully functional. I was looking for capture software that could work with any of my cameras, do a date and time overlay, and then save the files in one hour chunks to an external hard drive.
Much of the functionality reported in this review simply could not be found. Whether this is due to the lack of a manual, or the demo version was neutered, I don't know.
The software sort of functioned. Breaking up the video into one hour chunks simply caused the program to crash. This function is required, as an 11 hour video would simply be far too large to deal with. It also failed to detect my Sony digital camera, connected by firewire. It did identify the two USB cameras (Logitech and HP) as well as the built in one by Dell. Unlike many FREE software products, this one relies on third party software (supplied by the camera manufacturer) to adjust camera settings.
Given what is out there for free, and how superior those products work (I am one of those rare types that actually will contribute to the developer on those), I simply could not justify the unusually high price NCH demands for this application.
Sorry NCH, the previous version was much better. -
"Another great product from Nch!!!!!"
Version: Debut Video Recording Software Professional Version 1.64
Pros
Easy of use. With little back ground in video capture I was able to record high quality on screen video. For the price it is well worth it.
Cons
It doesn't cook me dinner. :)
Summary
I used it with Win7 64bit, 4gb of ram, Amd Quad Core processor and on board video card. Had no problems. Recomend that you use the video editor from NCH(when installing it will give you the option to include it).
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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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