I’m getting ready to re-record some videos for an upcoming product. I realized that the course did not "flow" properly, so I scrapped what I had and started over.
Perfectionist mode? Perhaps, but my goal for any training course is to have you, my customer, go through it once and be able to perform the task that it teaches.
As I was preparing to record, I decided to try a quick experiment:
- First, I recorded at the resolution I use when I produce my videos — 800 x 600 pixels. I did this just to have a reference point. I like to use this size for videos that will be viewed in a web browser because the entire video area can be seen in most monitors.
- Next, I recorded a video at 1024 x 768 — the next size up.
- I then produced the 1024 x 768 video in two formats. I reduced the size of the first production to 800 x 600. The results? Extremely blurry. I didn’t like the quality of the video.
- I then produced the 1024 x 768 video at full size and it looked fine. It also captured more of the screen than the video I recorded at 800 x 600.
The goal of this experiment was to see if I could record more "screen real estate" (the 1024 x 768 size) and then shrink it down, but I don’t like the quality.
A few quick questions for any Camtasia experts:
- If I had a more powerful processor, would the 1024 x 768 video that is produced at 800 x 600 look better?
- If I upgraded to a later version of Camtasia (i.e. the current version), would that also solve my issue?
- Or should I simply record at the resolution I’m going to produce at and quit trying to chase my own tail?
Many thanks to any Camtasia experts who can help with this.
Thanks for listening,
Tom
3 Comments
Hi Tom,
1. No, not in my experience. But a more powerful processor can make the recordings smoother (better frame capture.)
2. I’ve upgraded so can’t answer this one from experience, but I suspect the version would make no difference. However the new version does helps with zooming in on hard to see areas which helps produce more legible recordings, especially if destined for TV viewing.
3. In the end that’s what I ended up doing… after a LOT of trial and error. (I chased my tail for a long time and ended up back where I started.
Are you creating DVDs or online only?
Because if the former, the other problem I had was to do with Camtasia+DVDFlick combination (as recommended in James Brausch “How to Create a DVD” product).
That caused a weird ’striping’ colour effect. Looked dreadful.
Again, after endless hours of testing I found it went away when I changed the Codec and switched from DVDFlick to ‘Sony DVD Architect’ for the DVD Mastering… and that software also allowed me to create some very professional DVD menus, (which for my primary target audience is important due to posture and branding).
Also if you’re creating DVDs for European market you need to tick PAL in your DVD mastering software. (That caught me out also).
There’s a lot more to the process but I hope this helps. Good luck!
Ed.
This is less an issue of Camtasia than just video encoding.
The blurriness is just a function of how it resamples your video. There may be filters you can apply to help, I’ve not tried that specifically.
The best results are going to be when you resample in integer multiples. So if you capture at 1024×768 then you will get decent video when you resample it to 512×384. If you want to get 800×600 video you could set things up and capture at 1600×1200. That might be a bit over kill and you’ll still lose detail.
In general, if you want crisp video with screen detail then keep the resolution the same from beginning to end.
I would take Ed’s word. I learned a lot from him about creating DVDs.
As far as the screen size, since I upgraded to Camtasia Studio 5, I don’t worry about the screen resolution anymore (800×600 vs 1024×768…or whatever the correct numbers are).
My screen is set at 1024×768 and that’s what I record videos at for the web because the video doesn’t get cut off anymore…at least not that I’ve noticed.
For DVDs though I might consider using 800×600 so less is on the screen and it’s easier to see on a TV.
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