Discover the Best Ways to Capture Screen Recordings
Are you looking to incorporate device screen recordings into your videos? If so, you’ll need to know how to source them. Luckily, there are many tools available to help you capture what’s happening on a computer or mobile device. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the best options available.
Screen Recording a Mac or PC with Software
There are many potential candidates for screen recording software, ranging from free options like QuickTime Player and OBS to high-end options like ScreenFlow. ScreenFlow is my personal favorite, as it can record at high resolutions, capture video from connected cameras and audio from microphones, and even includes a full editing environment where you can add text and overlays. If you’re an experienced editor, you might just decide to do basic trimming and tackle the rest in your NLE, but I’ve found it helpful to use ScreenFlow to speed up sections that I’m going to abbreviate in the edit anyway.
Screen Recording an iOS Device with Software
Recording an iOS device is pretty straightforward. In most circumstances, it’s easiest to swipe down from the top right corner, press the record button in the Control Center, wait for the countdown, and then do whatever you need to. Alternatively, you can connect an iOS device to a Mac and use QuickTime Player or ScreenFlow to record that connected device.
Recording with Hardware
If you’re looking for maximum performance and rock-solid reliability, you might want to consider recording with an external device. If you’ve experimented with external recording for your cameras, you might already own an Atomos or Blackmagic recorder. If you plug your Mac or PC into one of these with an HDMI cable, you’ll be able to record that display without any problems at all.
With so many options available, capturing screen recordings has never been easier. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced editor, there’s a tool out there that can help you get the job done.
Are you struggling to find the right hardware to record your screen? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. But fear not, newer hardware recorders like the Ninja V and V+ are more capable and can get the job done. Sure, they might not be cheap, but if you’re on a budget, the ATEM Mini Pro is a great alternative. It can take an HDMI input and record it in moderately compressed 1080p to a connected USB SSD.
But what if you need a higher resolution or pristine ProRes recordings? In that case, the ATEM Mini Pro is not the box you’re looking for. However, if you need to record an entire day’s worth of PowerPoint presentations, it’ll do the job just fine. Just plug the computer into input 1, make sure it’s selected, plug the SSD into the USB-C port, hit record, and don’t touch anything else.
If you’re looking for a more flexible option, you can use an HDMI input device like an Elgato HD60 S+ with ScreenFlow or even QuickTime Player on a second computer. While this introduces more points of failure, it allows recording of multiple sources at once in a more configurable way.
No matter which recording option you go with, it’s a good idea to record an audio feed along with the presentation. This is not only a good backup, but it’ll make it easy to sync your screen recording up with real video in a multicam later.
But wait, if your plan involves placing your recording device in the signal path between the presenter and a projector, you can expect some push-back from the in-house AV team. To keep everyone happy, I’d suggest purchasing an HDMI splitter for next to nothing from eBay. These tiny, button-free boxes take in one signal and put out two, keeping the AV team happy while giving you a clean option to record from.
If you’re recording screen at a live event, it’s a good idea to record a wider angle that includes the presenter alongside the projected presentation you’re recording. This shot gives you a master source for syncing all angles, and if the presenter physically moves to the screen to point at something, you can switch to the wide angle if you need to.
If the client won’t let you record, charge more. Sometimes, you need to resort to alternatives that are painful for you and for the client’s budget. For sanity’s sake, if at all possible, record the presenter’s computer directly. It’s the only way to guarantee that your finished video matches what was shown on the day.
And if you need to show something fancier than a full screen recording, ScreenToLayers is a spectacular tool for separately capturing everything on a screen. It captures every item separately into a layered Photoshop document, including the cursor, every individual menubar icon, your dock, your wallpaper, and every window in every application that’s visible. A layered PSD is perfect for importing into Motion or After Effects and controlling every part of a fake screen recording.
In conclusion, screen recording is an important part of the process if you need to show someone how to fill in a digital form, record live presentations alongside real video, or want to teach people software skills. Don’t settle for using a camera to record a screen or static slideshows that require a lot more effort. With the right hardware and software, recording is painless, but make sure you’re not causing anyone else any problems.If you’re looking to capture your screen as part of a professional shoot, hardware recording is the way to go. Don’t forget to bring along some extra cables, chargers, and HDMI splitters to ensure everything runs smoothly. And while you’re at it, why not check out some of our latest reviews and techniques for post-production? From AI tools to virtual production, we’ve got you covered. Plus, get in-depth insights from industry experts like Kevin P. McAuliffe on software like ScreenFlow and Camtasia Studio. Stay ahead of the game and elevate your content with our top-notch resources.
