CamStudio and Camtasia are screen capture software that can both record desktop activity. CamStudio is open source and free while Camtasia costs $299. CamStudio has a basic interface for recording screens, while Camtasia opens to a video editing suite. Both are ready to capture screens out of the box with default settings. The key decision factors are a user's needs, budget, and expectations for the final output.

1. Screen Capture Tools
URL
http://camstudio.org/
This is a comparison of CamStudio and Camtasia for screen capture.
By
Purnell Curtis
For
EDIT 5395
URL
http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html

2. Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia
Looking first at price to establish a baseline for
Screen Capturing software.
Defining the frequency of use with expectations for
the desired output will determine software selection.
COST
CamStudio Camtasia
Open Source (Free) $299

3. Getting started with a program to decide if the
interface is intuitive for screen capture.
Getting Started
CamStudio Camtasia
• Opens with a standard
Window interface showing.
• Mouse over icons displays
purpose at the bottom of
the open window.
• Software ready to record
screen based on default
settings.
• Opens to a video editing
suite.
• Mouse over icons displays
purpose in self contained
windows.
• Record screen option shows
choices for screen and
audio.
• Software ready to record
screen based on default
settings.
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

4. CamStudio Start Screen
Getting Started
CamStudio Camtasia
• Opens with a standard
Window interface showing.
• Mouse over icons displays
purpose at the bottom of
the open window.
• Software ready to record
screen based on default
settings.
• Opens to a video editing
suite.
• Mouse over icons displays
purpose in self contained
windows.
• Record screen option shows
choices for screen and
audio.
• Software ready to record
screen based on default
settings.

5. Camtasia Start Screen
Getting Started
CamStudio Camtasia
• Opens with a standard
Window interface showing.
• Mouse over icons displays
purpose at the bottom of
the open window.
• Software ready to record
screen based on default
settings.
• Opens to a video editing
suite.
• Mouse over icons displays
purpose in self contained
windows.
• Record screen option shows
choices for screen and
audio.
• Software ready to record
screen based on default
settings.
Option to prepare
for screen capture

6. 1. Changing Defaults
A. Output Format
A
At the beginning
for
AVI, SWF or MP4
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia
A
At the end of the
project with many
formats

7. B
1. Changing Defaults
B. Screen Capture Area
B
At the beginning.At the beginning.
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

8. C
C
At the end of the
project with many
formats
1. Changing Defaults
C. CODEC Setting
Many formats to
decide upon at the
beginning.
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

9. D
1. Changing Defaults
D. Cursor Setting
Change after
completing screen
capture in the video
editing suite.
At the beginning.
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

10. E
1. Changing Defaults
E. Capture Audio
E
Microphone (webcam)
Do not record microphone
Record system audio
Options…
Audio help
At the beginning.At the beginning.
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia

11. Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia
Getting A Final Product
CamStudio Camtasia
• Press Record Button to start
• Press Stop Button to finish
screen capture.
• Video is completed when
file is saved when
prompted.
• Press Record Button to start
• Press Stop Button to finish
screen capture.
• Video is completed as a
project file for work to
continue in the editing suite.
• When file is prepared for
finalization produce and
share option is selected.
• When prompted output
options are selected and a
finished product is
produced.

12. Summary
The key to note here is that both software can perform screen capture, and
in knowing this making a decision on which software to choose should be
on defining a baseline for features and software expectations that will
allow the user to perform the desired task. There are many scenarios that
can change which software to decide upon, but the main goal to achieve
during this decision making process is to find a product that will at least
meets or exceeds a person’s or institution’s minimum requirement. The
comparison of CamStudio to Camtasia clearly shows that CamStudio can
meet the needs for basic screen capturing without having pre-knowledge,
but having pre-knowledge Camtasia can go beyond the minimum if video
editing is needed.
Software Comparison: CamStudio and Camtasia