Something strange has happened over at SnagitGuide.

They started experimenting with Snagit, the screen capture software when they discovered something. Something horrifying I cannot fully comprehend or even begin to explain. And I am afraid my time is running out.

I will try to get more information to you shortly, but I think they are watching me…

I am scared, very scared.

I warned you but look for yourself if you dare…

No related posts.

There are several reasons why I think this is important. One is of course the viewer experience is greater when showing your videos on HD. But there is more to it than that.

For one you get the Youtube HD logo on your video, which you will not get otherwise. People also tend to watch videos in full screen mode more and more, and stream videos to their High Definition television sets and for HD TVs it’s great if you have a higher quality of video.

I have included the important take-aways of the video below. My hope is that you can use the list as a quick reference when setting up your Camtasia settings for HD.

The video runs 4:40. OK take it away Bill…

Here are some take-aways from the video.

Before you record

1. Set your recording to save as .avi in your Camtasia Recorder Tools/General Options.
2. Set framerate to 30 (Tools/Options/Inputs)
3. Select area to record to 1280×720

After recording, when editing

1. Select HD in settings and if you don’t have this setting, choose the same size as you are recording in, in this case 1280×720.
2. Edit your video

Producing Video

1. Go to custom production settings
2. Choose other formats MOV
3. Under QuickTime options set H.264.
4. Set your framerate to 30
5. Set Keyframe to Automatic
6. Set Compression to Best
7. Data rate set to Automatic
8. Sound settings for production – Set it to 48.000, 16 bit and set it to Stereo so Youtube can recognize it as a HD file.
9. Check that video size is 1280×720

And then upload it to Youtube. Youtube should recognize it as a HD file.

That’s all there is to it. Now start creating lots of HD Camtasia files! Let me know what you think about this article/video in the comment area below.

Until next time
Peter – Your Camtasia Guide

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The video is both informative and funny, well worth spending your next seven minutes on if you work with or are planning to add speech to your Camtasia Studio videos.

I have also included the tips in a summary of the video below.

Without further ado, take it away Chris:

Here is a summary of the video tips and a few bonus tips from me.

Tip 1) Use USB microphone

You can use many different Microphones for recording, but stay away from analog and webcam microphones. You will get better sound quanlity using a USB contact because the USB signal is digital.

Tip 2) “You talk what you eat”

What this somewhat cryptic statement means is that you are affected by what you eat before your recording. Stay away from sugary foods and even more important, drink a lot of water. Very important - drink between takes too to keep on being hydrated.

Tip 3) Stand up and breath

It’s easy to forget to breath when recording your voice overs. Standing up while doing your voice over recording also helps a lot to open your diaphragm.

Tip 4) Talk with your whole body and smile

Talk with your whole body. Gesticulate with your arms and smile, believe it or not people will hear if you smile.

4) Distance to mic

Do you want a close and intimate feeling? Then move up just next to the mic. You want a feeling of speaking more to the group, then move away a bit. Talk louder! A related tip – be in a quiet environment, very important.

5) Use your head voice

You can direct your voice through your lips, throat or nose. Chris recommend that you direct your voice out through your head. Let it flow upwards.

My bonus tips

6) Use a script

Write down what you are going to say.

7) Practice makes perfect

Practice your script a couple of times before going live.

That’s all for now, thanks for visiting

Peter – Your Camtasia Guide

PS. Next week we are launching SuperCallouts a new product especially made for Camtasia. Stay tuned and and check out how you can get it for free… More about this on Monday.

Related posts:

1. Create Better Tips Videos

Billy cover areas like transitions, text, background, music and more in 2:25 minutes.

For your convenience I have included a summary of the video below.

OK Billy, take it away…

Create Better Tips Videos Summary

1) Choose a video background

You can find video (moving) backgrounds at for example movietools.

2) Choose a music backing track

Create the right ambiance with the right background music. Here you find a great collection of Royalty free music suitable for videos here.

3) Use easy to read fonts

4) To enhance readability – use shadow on your text.

In Camtasia you find the Shadow function for text here:

5) Use simple transitions between your scenes

And finally, keep your tips brief and don’t include too many tips.

And a bonus tip from me, narrate your video reading your tips out to your viewers.

I hope you enjoyed the video. Until next time

Peter – Your Camtasia Guide

Resources
Bill Myers Online
Royalty Free Music

Related posts:

1. Video Voice Over Tips
2. Camtasia Studio Title Clips
3. Enhance Your Camtasia Videos with Music