• TonyMcDow
• MyRecommendations
• ScreenCaptureTools

Screen Capture Solutions

Listed below are my favorite tools for capturing computer screens to be later used for training, documentation, marketing, and other knowledge sharing activities.

Blue Berry: FlashBack

• Category: Video Output
  

Recommended for creating the smallest and clearest flash video screen captures with the least amount of effort, especially when post-editing steps are not required or warranted. In particular, it does not try to scale screen text and thus side-steps typical problems with blurred display results and bloated file sizes. Great for recording day-to-day training events short or long.

• Generates flash output (great for shorter recordings that need to be distributed widely via a website)
• Generates native output with packaged player (great when delivering long recordings - saves time and makes for small files)

• http://www.bbsoftware.co.uk/

• Sold as either:

  • BB FlashBack

  • BB FlashBack Express (No post-editing)

TechSmith: SnagIt

• Category: Image Output
  

Premier screen image capture and editing package. This package is the industry standard for static screen capture and highly recommended for tech-writers and any user that likes to explain things with pictures.

• http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp

• Create all kinds of image output formats

• Integrates with screencast.com

TechSmith: Camtasia Studio

• Category: Video Output
  

Premier video creation and editing package. Excellent for mixing full motion video with screen capture and when post-editing modifications and cleanup are required. The tool of choice for your more sophisticated video projects.

• http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp

• Creates all kinds of video output formats

• Integrates with screencast.com

Jing

• Category: Video and Image Output
  

From the makers of Snag It and Camtasia.

This solution is free and works very nice for capturing screens as static images or as motion video with sound. Comparable to SnagIt/Camtasia bundle but has a more limited feature set and file type and size handling capacity.

• http://www.jingproject.com/

• Nice video http://video.techsmith.com/jing/latest/demo/introvideo/index.html?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=440&width=640

• Create JPEG/PNG/GIF
• Create Flash video files

• Integrates with screencast.com, a place to publish images and videos for public access

• Available on both Mac and Windows
• Limits size of recording
• Limits styling options