Sure, when it comes to Screen recording nothing beats Camtasia Studio. But Snagit is also an excellent tool when you need to quickly record a video off your screen.
In this article I will cover a simple step that can greatly increase the quality of your Snagit Video Screen recordings.
Go into the Video Capture Output Properties. You find this by choosing Record Screen Video, choose Capture Output and Properties (See image below).
Change framerate
You should change the frames per second of your recordings. This simple change will really impact the quality of your videos.
Just change the Frames per second from 5, to 15 or higher. Try different settings but 15 should be enough for a great screen recording. I you capture with too high frame rate you will use too much computer resources and the recording may become laggy.
And that’s all there is to it. If you make this simple change your video should come out crisp and clear.
You can also experiment with different compressors (codecs) to get better results.
If you have questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to comment below.
Until next time 😉
Peter – Your Snagit Guide
I downloaded and followed the direction for making better viedeos. I am pretty disappointed. Maybe I did something wrong, but, when I went to record I received an error message stating that I cannot use TSCC codec because I am not a registered Camtasia user. I thought I read at the beginning of this tip that I could use this codec with standard Snag It.
Very informative! Thanks for showing clearly how to make great looking videos using Snagit.
Hello Greg,
I am investigating why you are getting this message. If you choose another of your available codecs and just change the frame rate you will still see an extreme quality improvement.
I will get back when I figure out this about the codec.
Best,
Peter
My problem usually arises with the length of the recording. When attending a webinar (which can last from 30 to 60 minutes), I record the presentation and the audio. 90% of the time I get the error “Cannot render file” or “Temporary file does not exist” (or something like that). So I have given up using Snagit and enlisted some freeware tools that do a better job of this.
In my personal opinion, Snagit is only good enough for taking the odd screenshot or two, which I can also do with the normal PrintScreen and pasting it into Paint.
I too had the same problem as Greg.
I too had the same problem as Greg.
I use SnagIt screen record with 15 framerate and latest DivX codec with great results on Win7 but when I try to configure same set up in WinXP the divx codec is not available in the drop down. Any ideas please as both seem to be installed properly?
Snagit video capturing has lots of settings, i can not find anything here or internet that gives the best settings for the highest capture.
How do i add codecs to snagit 9. i use VLC media player, and with 1/2 the codecs that came with snagit the colors ae off, and with the others, i cant adjust the video options as far as contrast/brightness and such. so how do i get the DIVIX codec for snagit 9, because it is damn near useless to me with out it.
Hi Jim,
I have only tested this in version 10 but it should work in v9 too.
1) Choose video capture
2) Open Output properties
3) Choose Video File/Video Setup
4) Under “Compressor” you find the different codecs available on your computer. Just choose the one you prefer or test different for quality improvements.
All the best,
Peter
Peter, I’m getting the same problems as Greg above. I’m using Snagit 8.3.2. Your product release notes makes no mention of any fixes for this program to work with the TSCC codec. Can you get this codec working with this version without Camtasia? If it won’t – could you tell me how to remove this Codec? There doesn’t seem to be a simple/clean uninstall for this.
Hi Richard,
You can use the TSCC codec with Snagit without problems, but you will need to have Camtasia Studio installed to make it work. Normally you don’t need to uninstall codecs.
To uninstall the TSCC codec: Run TSCC.EXE with the /REMOVE command line option (i.e., TSCC.EXE /REMOVE).
Again I am sorry I originally confused this article by mentioning the TSCC codec.
All the best,
Peter
I’m using Snagit 10, and like the others in this thread, I cannot use the TSCC codec. You said “You can use the TSCC codec with Snagit without problems, but you will need to have Camtasia Studio installed…”. I even downloaded the trial version of Camtasia Studio and I still can’t use TSCC with Snagit. It looks to me like TSCC will not work with Snagit at all. Will you please clarify the reqirements for the TSCC codec?
I was also wondering if there is a way snagit will pass the 2GB limit. If there is a way, please tell me!
Snagit is an absolutely fantastic app when it comes to screen capturing, but if you are looking to record long bits I must recommend Camtasia Studio instead. When you are doing screen recordings, Camtasia Studio is the way to go.
I am not sure about the 2GB, but you could always divide the recording into more sessions.
Snag-on 😉
Peter
Please can Snagit (8.01 version) save video acquisitions maybe in an other format than the preset *.avi ? In particular, can this software save the video captures in a *.wmv format?
Thanks for your reply.
Hello Mangrovia,
No this is the only format available. You will need to change it in a video editing software.
Confirm cannot use TSCC. So What? Who cares?
Use 15 frames per second.
Use DivX Fast Motion Codec. This is included in K-Lite Mega Codec.
No pixelation and good video image.
Small file size.
I use Snagit version 10. But after installing the latest version of K-Lite Mega Codec, i could not get DivX fast motion codec in the options. Can someone help.
can i capture the video with jpg frames rather than png…
plz do reply…
Hi Umesh,
From Snagit version 11 the video is saved in mp4 and this can’t be changed. But you can also capture a frame from a video and those can be saved in all formats available in Snagit so you can in effect save images/frames from a video in any of the available image file formats: jpg, gif, png, bmp, ico, pdf, snag, tif and so on.
I hope that helps!
Snag-on,
Peter
Snag it 11 is nothing like older versions. I am unable to export the video to windows, what is the point of recording a video if I can not share it in a common format.
It appears Mp4 is the only format available which does not work when selecting the send to windows output function.
Hi Mark,
Yes, Snagit exports to mp4 but this is a very common format and windows has no problem playing or using these files. Perhaps there is a problem with the output function. Instead just save the file and then you can open it in an editor or with what ever you plan to use it.
Snag-on,
Peter
I don’t see where I can set the frame rate or bitrate to control the quality of the capture. Were these features removed with version 11?
Just to repeat from “Terrachild” no control for video capture in v11. Also mp4, I had thought was common, but the video results look horrible (very blurry) when I tried to import to Abobe Premiere Elements. I tried to use different import selections in “Elements”, but still the same. Idownload and installed TSCC standalone, but I would assume that I would need to select it, but I don’t see an option to doing that either.
Snagit is primarily a screen capture for images and lately the text capture tool is greatly enhanced. But video is not the main focus for Snagit. If you would like higher quality and many more options I suggest you look at Camtasia Studio for professional screen recording.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
While recording a screen capture with snagit 10, the avi file size went to 4 Gb. Snagit would not save the file, so the avi file in the temp directory was zipped down to 1.5 Gb and saved.
I subsequently unzipped this file and then tried to play it using VLC. Whereas VLC will play a successfully saved snagit 10 screen video, it could not decode anything in this file
Is there a way that the avi frame data can be recovered?
thanks…
Hi Jon,
Windows has restrictions on filesize and I believe this is at 1.5 GB which means that it was Windows that cut this file. I am afraid that I don’t think it is possible to save it. I would suggest you use either Camtasia (best) because it is made for screen recording or alternatively Snagit 11 as it saves the video in mp4 format instead which makes the files much smaller.
FYI, was actually able to completely recover the file using a program called MediaCoder.
Thanks for the support…
I’m really disappointed with Snagit 11. At least with Jing Pro I could change output format, and the video colors were proper.
I can live with MPG, but I can’t change the codec, the frame rate or any sort of color correction. My ‘white’ areas on my video recordings come out all grey, and there is no way I can show that to a client. It’s a shame they took out features with an upgraded version. Aren’t they supposed to add features instead? lol. I guess they really don’t want people using Snagit instead of the expensive Camtasia.
We need Snagit with the ability to do simple edits of video, change the codec and frame rate, or at least be able to change the bitrate and perhaps the color depth or contrast.
Hi Mason,
I believe the focus of Snagit has always been to be the best screen capture software, not screen recording software. The possibility of quickly capturing videos is just an added bonus in my point of view. If you need added functionality just load the video files in a more advanced editor like sony vegas or Camtasia or any of the many free video editors out there.
I am not sure why you have problems with the colors. My mp4 videos come out with the exact same colors as the color of what I am capturing.
Hi Peter,
I’m trying Snagit 11 trail vers to screen capture videos and have no problem at all with the quality but I need to import the videos in Adobe Premiere Elements 8 to do a bit of videoediting. Even though the format and codec (MP4 H.264) seem to be the same APE8 uses to render iphone/ipod MP4 videos when I try to import the videos I always get this message “This type of file is not supported, or the required codec is not installed”. Can you help?
I am not sure of the reason for this. Try submitting a ticket to in-product support regarding the issue.
I have recorded my video as screen recording via snaigit 11 but after about more than an hour recording it did not save the video. This video is very important for me. I check in my whole computer but could not find it even not in Snagit 11 editor. Is there any way I can locate this? Please suggest.
Hello Asif,
You should definitely avoid recording these long sessions with Snagit as it isn’t made for that. If you need to record long sessions you should take a look at Camtasia Studio instead.
If the recording is too long and you have an older version of operating system the file will not be saved as it become too big. If it is saved it should appear in the Editor in the thumbnail area.
Hello Peter,
Thanks for your very quick response to my problem with Snagit.
1) I usually take online meetings at skype with my clients and share my screen with them and also audio and video record my screen for the whole session. With Snagit only video of my screen and my voice is recorded but not the other person voice(one main concern).
2) Again today I had a long session and video recording with Snagit was not saved (2nd concern but you cleared the point that Camtasia is better for long recording ).
3) I tried camtasia but it does not automatically save the file in Mp4 but it save first in Camtasia video version and then you have to convert that file into Mp4 or other format to make it smaller to send to my clients and I don’t have time to wait for it to convert as it take a little longer.
4) I have a couple of skype recoder and video screen recorder but some record the video good and not auido and vice versa.
5) Is there any software which can fulfill my needs. I want to record my skype audio meeting (both side voice )plus I want to record my screen (average about 1-2 hours) and after that I want to send those files to my clients.
Are you able to help me? Thanks for your time. Looking forward.
Also I am not much fan of video editing and stuff like that. i need only simple both side skype audio and video of my computer screen and then I am ready to go. thanks again.
Ok, I see what you mean. For this purpose I think I would go with Snagit. To get rid of this problem which is most likely caused by too large files, I think the best way is to save it in two parts. Instead of recording the complete call, try stopping the recording in the middle. You will not be able to record during the time Snagit is working with the file unfortunately.
I think that’s the best way to solve this. I am sorry I don’t have another solution for you.
Thanks for your suggestion. But Snagit does not record the voice of person on the other side at skype. It only record my voice. otherwise Snagit is best for my needs I believe.
When I installed Snagit first time I tried it first and played video at YouTube and recorded at Snaigit and it did recorded very well plus I spoke in between and it recorded that too. But why it does not record when other person speak on the other side of skype. I hope you understood what I mean to say. It caught the voice from my speaker and microphone when I recorded video at YouTube but it does not catch the voice from speaker when some body on the other side of skype speaks. I hope you understood. Thanks again for your prompt response.
Make sure you set it to record both your microphone and the setting “System Audio”. That should record the other persons voice.
Hi Peter,
Im using Snagit 11 to show some shots of my webpage. When I put up the footage on the track in adobe premiere it shows it. as long as i do not pre-render. Once I prerender or export, the footage is invisible to adobe premiere pro.
I did not have this problem with Snag it 10. I have tried it all. The only way it shows is if I encode the file into DV but the DV lowers the resolutionso much I cannot air the footage. Is it the downgrade you guys featured from 15 frames to 10 from snag it 10 to 11? Is it the mp4 format? I checked and the ones that worked still had the mp4 extension. Is there any work around this problem?
Thanks
Sincerely
Nicolas
Hi Nicolas, I am afraid I have very little experience with premiere so I can’t say exactly why this happens. Do you keep the Snagit settings when importing or switch it to your project settings?
Snagit was not downgraded in frames per second. It now records in different frames per second depending on your recording area and speed of your computer.
I have a problem recording videos. I tried snag it 8.2 and 11 and on both the video just comes out black. I tried all sorts of things to get it to work and nothing seem to work. It works on XP but not windows 7. Is there something I need to do to get Snag it to record video on Windows 7 ?
I purchased SnagIt to make short instructional videos. I built a few now. However, I want to make sure they are optimizes in pixel size and aspect ratio for Youtube display. Why are there no settings for this in SnagIt 11? From what I read the controls were there in previous products. Am I missing something? Or did TechSmith dumb-down SnagIt to push people to Camtasia?
Thanks
I see the video capabilities of Snagit more as an add-on. You have never had any possibility of editing or changing your videos in previous versions. The only difference was that you could set your frame rate and in v11 it picks the best possible frame rate. The video recorder in v11 is also much stronger and the mp4 output is pretty great compared to previous versions. To record a suitable size for Youtube you would need to set the recording window preset to the size you want or alternatively import your Snagit video into a video editing software.
Hi
Seeking advise. Key Frame Every 5 frames or shall I change that to 15 to 25 too?
Thanks so much.
Hi Zarina, are you referring to Snagit? What version of Snagit are you using for video recording?
Hi Peter,
Sorry, yes I’m referring to Snagit and am on version 9. Thank you so much in advance.
Hi Zarina,
Np, I asked because this option has been removed in later versions.
Full frames require more data. More I frames/keyframes means MORE DATA IS BEING SPENT on those frames (meaning LESS on the delta frames)
A data rate is a budget of how much data gets spread across a second.
LESS keyframes mean more data can go into the delta frames = higher quality.
The short answer is that you should experiment and see what output you like best. It is going to affect quality and file size.
Zarina, you should definitely check out version if you are doing video. The compression has improved so you’ll get better looking videos and you now also have the ability to cut in your videos to remove beginning, end or parts that you don’t want in final video. All compression settings are done automatically.
As a previous owner you can upgrade at half price, check it out here:
http://go.softwarecasa.com/snagit-upgrade/
Best regards,
Peter