Dispersed Media

Since we did a review of Techsmith’s product Jing, it only makes sense to review Screenr, especially since it was mentioned and used as a contrast in the review. Screenr is a product from the same folks who make Articulate, and comes in a free version and a business version. We’ll start with the free version and work our way up the pricing ladder.

The basic free version of Screenr has a lot going for it. It works through your browser, so you can sit down at a clients machine and record video. We find this feature particularly useful when the client is pressed for time and unable to come to a location where we have other recording options. Also, since it’s very easy to use, you can send someone to the site, have them record something and then export the file and email or file transfer it to the office. When working in a virtual environment this is very handy.

One of our beefs with Jing, was that the basic version is exported as a .swf file, so that it becomes harder to edit and change. Basic Screenr captures can be hosted on the Screenr website, exported as a MP4, or uploaded to youtube. Jing can also export as MP4 or to youtube, but requires the pro version to do so. Screenr also converts the file to HD video after you approve it, and even fullscreen on a large monitor the quality is very sharp. Audio quality (audio can be recorded at the same time as the video capture, using whatever is setup as your default input in your OS) is very good as well.

Now if you want more bells and whistles, you can pick from one of 4 different Business Screenr plans. Each level adds new features, such as analytics, player branding, a embeddable recorder for your supports sites, more control over access, use of the API and larger numbers of Screenrs that can be hosted. The plans ramp up in price pretty quick, and much like other Articulate products can get pricey fast. However like Articulate, you get a lot of bang for your buck, especially in the customer service and community areas.

We’ll close this review with a sample ScreenR on using the Engage FAQ interaction as a drop-down menu.

Techsmith, the makers of Camtasia and Snagit have a relatively new product called Jing.  In my opinion it’s a responce to the Screenr tool that the Articulate folks have been very successful in showing off.  Jing seems very nice and bug free, it runs fast, and best of all it works very well with Snagit and Camtasia.  If you are recording a still frame, you can fire it over to Snagit, if you are doing video, you can edit that in Camtasia.  If you recorded and exported your .swf file and then later got Camtasia, Camtasia can reconstruct the screen recording from the .swf and then allow later date editing. Before I go into Pros and Cons, let me link a sample.  The audio is low because I had the mike too far away, not a fault in the program itself.

So Pros:

1.  Has a free version that will fulfill a majority of users needs.

2.  Very easy to use, and the stay near and handy icon on top of your screen can make it a breeze to use as needed.

3.  Has default export capability to .swf, Screencast.com, or via URL link that can be emailed or IMed.

4.  Perfect for quick captures to explain something technical to Mom and Dad.

Cons:

1.  If you want to upload to Facebook, Youtube or anywhere else that isn’t .swf reliant you’ll need the Pro version or convert the file yourself.

2.  It does require a software install, unlike Screenr which can work through your browser.

3.  Has some intentional limits unless you upgrade to Pro (the billboard look), though to be fair, Pro is pretty cheap at 14.95 a year.