MacMost Now 288: QuickTime X Screen Recording

Learn how to use the new screen recording feature of QuickTime X in Snow Leopard. It provides basic video screen capture ability. Also learn how to go beyond the basics with better third-party applications.

Comments: 30 Responses to “MacMost Now 288: QuickTime X Screen Recording”

    Homer
    15 years ago

    I'm using successfully IShowU from shinywhitebox.com for years now. Great utility that includes the important options. Many features and cheaper than SnapZ, Camtasia, etc. I'll stick with it.

    Franklin
    14 years ago

    Thanks so much for the tutorial. In the future, I want ScreenFlow. Right now, I'm just testing out concepts, so I'll play with Quicktime.

    Thanks again.

    --Franklin

    Brandon McLean
    13 years ago

    Is there a way that I can be able to take off the AAC lock?

      13 years ago

      AAC lock? What do you mean by that? How are you getting AAC files when screen recording?

    David L
    13 years ago

    Gary,

    Is there a way to schedule a recording or set a timer for the recording?

    There are often live webcasts for training programs that I would like to view but they are streamed when I'm not home. Any way to set up automator to do this? I can't find any "timer" commands in automator for starting/stopping a Screen Recording.

      13 years ago

      Probably not the right way to do it. Screen capturing a live broadcast is like pointing a camcorder at your TV. Better to see if the webcast has any option to watch it later on.

    David L
    13 years ago

    Gary,
    I found a way to do it.

    I used an automator script to start and stop quicktime screen recording. I've been searching for weeks and finally found a solution. The reason these webcasts don't allow you to watch it later on is because they are streaming once live at little to no cost. Saving it onto a server to allow downloading by thousands of users later costs them too much in bandwidth.

    Now I can watch training classes when I'm available on my schedule. Thanks for leading me down the right path.

      Bryan
      13 years ago

      David,

      Would you share with me on how to get automator to start and stop quicktime screen recording at a schedule time and date?

      Thanks,

      Bryan

        13 years ago

        Experiment to get an Automator workflow to start and stop QuickTime screen recording. Not sure if it is possible, but if you do get it working, then add that workflow to an iCal alarm set for that time.

    Jim H
    13 years ago

    Is there a screen recording program that allows you to capture DVD video such as home recorded dvds?

    Fred
    13 years ago

    Does this work with Windows? Vista in particular?

    Karen
    13 years ago

    is there a way to pause the recording or save it and continue recording later? and can i edit the screen recording in imovie?

      13 years ago

      No way to continue it. But record it in segments and them edit together in iMovie. Yes, you can certainly use iMovie to edit. Be sure to import into iMovie in original format (not letting iMovie resize it).
      Also, you can switch to a third-party screen recording option if you like -- many of those do let you resume a paused recording, and some let you edit as well.

        Karen
        13 years ago

        i see thanks for the help :)

    Jonathan
    13 years ago

    Do you know of a way to have the Quicktime X Screen Recording feature capture a secondary display?

      13 years ago

      Good question. Doesn't look to be any way to do that. Probably should use one of the many 3rd-party applications for that.

    mike
    13 years ago

    Hi Gary,

    firstable many thx. for your little show!
    But do you know, how to cut the big video, so you just can see, what you want to see?

    kindly regards

    Mike from germany

      13 years ago

      You can edit the video in iMovie if you like and crop it there. Or, get one of the many third-party screen capture tools like ScreenFlow or Snapz Pro and you have a ton of features like that.

        mike
        13 years ago

        thx a lot

    yourma
    13 years ago

    Dude quicktime is realllllllllllyyyyyy annoying. okay im trying to record a screen but i want to select my own area that im trying to record but nooooooooooooooo quicktime just records my entire desktop and i dont want that i wana choose what to record with it like a seperate screen its agrivating

      13 years ago

      It sounds like you need a more powerful screen capture tool. There are many Snapz Pro, ScreenFlow, Skitch, Jing, etc.

    Bill
    13 years ago

    Just wanted to see how to capture a portion of the screen. This is purely for those who are scared to select a menu option and explore. It should have a 'extreme novice" warning on the label so we don't have to waste time watching the whole thing only to find that it does not address anything beyond simple screen recording.

    Teguh Santoso
    12 years ago

    Hello Gary, just wondering, is it possible to record audio and screen recording at the same time with Quicktime X? (I know about sound flower. didn't work for screen recording) if not, can you recommend me a good screen recorder that also records sound that's free? it's ok if it's not free, though, I prefer the free ones (yes I'm cheap) =D

    Hal
    12 years ago

    I tried to use Quicktime to do video game walkthroughs, but on certain full-screen games, the program cuts off the left side and bottom of the screen. And it isn't just a centimeter, but a whole sixth of the screen! Is there:
    A) Any way to fix this, by changing the capture area to larger than the whole screen or otherwise changing the Quicktime preferences.
    or
    B) A program that doesn't cut off the edges like that.

    Please help!

      Hal
      12 years ago

      Also, there seems to be a 10-minute time limit. Either that or Quicktime broke at exactly the 10 minute mark.

        12 years ago

        There are many many alternatives. Try one to see if it works better for you.

          Hal
          12 years ago

          I have tried many many alternatives, and none have worked better for me.
          I think I'll ask around. Thanks anyway!

Comments Closed.