Category: Screencast

Import Callouts into Camtasia

Posted Feb.18, 2010 under Callouts, Screencast

So you want to use a callout that isn’t originally included in Camtasia Studio. Perhaps you want to convey a special message or give some part of your video that extra impact.

If that’s the case it can be good to include your own custom callouts into your Camtasia Video. It’s not difficult, but can be a little confusing the first time you do it so I did a two minute video covering the subject.

I hope you will like it.

The “clapper” callout is included in our free SuperStamps package. You can download SuperStamps Free pack here. The SuperStamps work very well as Camtasia Callouts.

I also got some questions about the background music. This is a royalty free score from Producer’s pack.

Until next time ;-)

Peter – Your Camtasia Guide

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ScreenCast for Cash

Posted May.07, 2009 under Competition, News, Screencast

dollar1Calling all screencasting masters, have you been uploading tutorial videos about that software you’re so fond of or that game that got you hooked up and is so adamant to share to the whole wide world its whats, how-to’s, tips and tricks?

Do you want to share your tutorial videos and get a chance to win $1,000?

Well, brace yourself mentor!

MindBites, a website where you can search and publish how-to and tutorial videos, is holding a contest called, Screencast 4 Cash where lucky winners can get the chance to win up to $1500+ and more.

Interested participants must be at least 13 years old to be able to join the contest.

If you are interested, then register yourself at MindBites.com, then proceed on creating your original tutorial video, where it must be instructional in nature, has at least three minutes duration. After complying to the rest of the guidelines, you can then upload your entry and wish for the best.

Here’s the timeline for the contest duration you should remember:

• April 21, 2009 – Contest begins

• April 28, 2009 – Weekly Voting opens

• May 18th (11:59 PM CST) – Deadline of Entries

• May 19th – Daily Voting begins

• May 26th (11:59 PM CST) – Voting closed

• May 27th -Announcement of winners

The prizes for lucky winners are:

Grand Prize: $1000 + TechSmith Camtasia Studio/Snagit Bundle software

People’s Choice Award: $500 + Snagit software.

To vote, simply login or register at MindBites.com, click on “All Entries – Vote” tab, and add your vote to the screencast you find worth voting.

Just so you all know, the partners for this contest are TechSmith, Download Squad, MindBites and Youth for Technology Foundation (beneficiary of 10¢ in every vote you make). Representatives from each of the above-mentioned partners will be the judge for the Grand Prize. Whereas for the People’s Choice Award, it will be based on popular vote by registered site visitors, who will be able to cast one vote weekly during the submission period and one vote daily thereafter until the close of the voting period, as set in the Timeline.

Now, start working on that entry boy and go bag the Grand Prize!

Good luck ;-)

Peter – Your Camtasia Guide

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Screencasting – What is it

Posted Apr.30, 2009 under Competition, Screencast

video11For your benefit, we are featuring today a very commonly heard term in the world of computer screen recorders, which is none other than, Screencasting.

What is a screencast?

According to our good friend, Wikipedia, the term screencast is defined as, “a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration. Normally, screencasts are generated with the purpose to serve as a video tutorial for teaching about a particular application or to promote a product by visual demonstration.

Most especially these days, where computer based training has been preferred by many of us simply because they’re cheaper compared to the traditional classroom training. Other obvious advantages are that it’s easier to share globally online. These screencasts are being published to today’s popular video sharing websites accessible for everyone, some are also put up for sale.

How do you create a screencast?

Several screencasting applications are out in the market today, each with varying capabilities, such as Camtasia Studio, ScreenCam, ScreenFlow and Camstudio, all of which are OS-based. As for web-based screencasting services, it includes Jing, Screentoaster, Screencast-O-Matic and ScreenCastle. Each application has it’s advantages and disadvantages. While I have tried many of these applications I am very partial to Camtasia because it’s easy to use, fast and the editing and production possibilities far outweights the web based options.

When to create a screencast?

Television is defininitely a big part of society today and collecting information and studying by watching a video is proven to give a more effective learning experience. When we use more than once sence we stimulate the brain to understand better. This is the main reason to why you should reach your audience with Screencasts.

Popular reasons to why you should screencast:

• When You can’t find the right words to describe exactly what you mean.

• When words alone aren’t enough to express your thoughts and ideas.

• Because it’s more interesting to watch a demo video than read text.

• Our favorite: Because you want more of your personality to come across in your blog.

Start creating your own screencast now!

PS. MindBites is currently running a competition where you win cash prizes for your screencasts. Check out the Screencast 4 Cash Video Contest, and you might get the chance to bag the grand prize!

Until next time ;-)

Peter – Your Camtasia Guide

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