The majority of screencasts can be recorded using one of the readily available tools provided on your desktop computer or other university device. However, there are a variety of options which may better suit a particular recording scenario. This page aims to assess the capabilities of each tool for the three most common types of recording: talking head or camera-only, narrated slides, and narrated screen recording.
*a request for a ‘paid-for’ Camtasia license is made via your SDTL and DTS business partner.
Talking Head or Camera Only
Teams Meeting
Teams is a free application available to all university staff that has options to record your screen and camera, using the Meet Now feature. Recordings made in Teams upload automatically to Stream.
We recommend using Teams Meetings as a free option to record this style of video, with the Meet Now feature, as this will upload automatically to MS Stream.
Be aware that Teams does not allow for pausing mid-recording, so you may wish to consider whether this is the right tool for the type of video you are making.
QuickTime
QuickTime is a free tool which comes pre-installed on Macs. It allows you to record your screen with audio and can be a useful tool for overcoming loss of functionality in Microsoft apps when using a Mac.
You can use QuickTime to record the built-in camera in your Mac.
Be aware that functionality may be different in older versions of MacOS and that the produced file may need converting before it can be uploaded to Stream.
Camera App
Most laptops and phones have a built-in camera and your computer may have a camera app for using with an external webcam. These solutions offer cheap, hassle-free methods of recording basic video.
The in-built camera app in your laptop or phone is a great, cost-free way to make a quick talking head or camera only recording.
Be aware that the produced file may need converting before it can be uploaded to Stream.
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a free application available to all university staff that has options to record your screen and presentations. We recommend upgrading to Office 365 to get the most out of PowerPoint.
We would not recommend using PowerPoint for this type of recording, as it is not possible to create this type of video without using the screen recording feature to capture a camera feed from a separate application .
Stream Recorder
As well as hosting video content, Stream has a free, browser-based recorder that is available to all university staff.
We would not recommend using Stream for this type of recording, as it is not possible to create this type of video without using the screen recording feature to capture a camera feed from a separate application .
Camtasia
Camtasia is only appropriate for users who wish to make more advanced recordings with greater editing capabilities . For the majority of cases, we would recommend using one of the other, free tools available. If you believe you need to purchase Camtasia, but are unsure, please contact the TEL team by raising a ticket through DTS to discuss your project.
Camtasia is a paid for recording and editing software that has been approved for purchase by the university.
It is possible to record just your webcam in Camtasia.
Narrated slides
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a free application available to all university staff that has options to record your screen and presentations. We recommend upgrading to Office 365 to get the most out of PowerPoint.
We recommend using PowerPoint as a free option for recording slides with audio narration. Newer versions of Office will allow you to record a camera input, as well.
PowerPoint overlays slides with a narration track and (optional) video feed and allows for you to re-record slides if
Be aware that some functionality is not available for older versions and for Mac users and that you may need to capture a camera feed from a separate application .
Teams Meeting
Teams is a free application available to all university staff that has options to record your screen and camera, using the Meet Now feature. Recordings made in Teams upload automatically to Stream.
It is possible to use Teams to record this style of video, by sharing your screen with the appropriate application open, and using the Meet Now feature. One benefit is that this will upload automatically to MS Stream.
Be aware that Teams does not allow for pausing mid-recording and that any additional camera inputs are very small in the final video, so you may wish to consider whether this is the right tool for the type of video you are making.
QuickTime
QuickTime is a free tool which comes pre-installed on Macs. It allows you to record your screen with audio and can be a useful tool for overcoming loss of functionality in Microsoft apps when using a Mac.
It is possible to use QuickTime to record this style of video, by recording your screen with the appropriate application open.
Be aware that functionality may be different in older versions of MacOS and that produced file may need converting before it can be uploaded to Stream.
Stream Recorder
As well as hosting video content, Stream has a free, browser-based recorder that is available to all university staff.
It is possible to use Stream to record this style of video, by recording your screen with the appropriate application open. This option allows for pausing whilst recording, will allow you to include a camera feed, and will upload automatically to MS Stream.
Be aware that videos recorded with Stream have a maximum length of 15-minutes.
Camtasia
Camtasia is only appropriate for users who wish to make more advanced recordings with greater editing capabilities . For the majority of cases, we would recommend using one of the other, free tools available. If you believe you need to purchase Camtasia, but are unsure, please contact the TEL team by raising a ticket through DTS to discuss your project.
Camtasia is a paid for recording and editing software that has been approved for purchase by the university.
Camtasia can be used as an Add-In for PowerPoint to record your presentation and a camera input.
Camera App
Most laptops and phones have a built-in camera and your computer may have a camera app for using with an external webcam. These solutions offer cheap, hassle-free methods of recording basic video.
This is type of recording is not possible with this method.
Narrated Screen Recording
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a free application available to all university staff that has options to record your screen and presentations. We recommend upgrading to Office 365 to get the most out of PowerPoint.
PowerPoint has an option to record your screen with a narration.
Be aware that some functionality is not available for older versions and for Mac users and that you will need to capture a camera feed from a separate application to include a camera feed, as well as your screen.
Teams Meeting
Teams is a free application available to all university staff that has options to record your screen and camera, using the Meet Now feature. Recordings made in Teams upload automatically to Stream.
It is possible to use Teams to record this style of video, by sharing your screen and using the Meet Now feature. One benefit is that this will upload automatically to MS Stream.
Be aware that Teams does not allow for pausing mid-recording and that any additional camera inputs are very small in the final video, so you may wish to consider whether this is the right tool for the type of video you are making.
QuickTime
QuickTime is a free tool which comes pre-installed on Macs. It allows you to record your screen with audio and can be a useful tool for overcoming loss of functionality in Microsoft apps when using a Mac.
It is possible to use QuickTime to record this style of video, by recording your screen.
Be aware that functionality may be different in older versions of MacOS and that produced file may need converting before it can be uploaded to Stream.
Stream
As well as hosting video content, Stream has a free, browser-based recorder that is available to all university staff.
It is possible to use Stream to record this style of video. This option allows for pausing whilst recording, will allow you to include a camera feed, and will upload automatically to MS Stream.
Be aware that videos recorded with Stream have a maximum length of 15-minutes.
Camtasia
Camtasia is only appropriate for users who wish to make more advanced recordings with greater editing capabilities . For the majority of cases, we would recommend using one of the other, free tools available. If you believe you need to purchase Camtasia, but are unsure, please contact the TEL team by raising a ticket through DTS to discuss your project.
Camtasia is a paid for recording and editing software that has been approved for purchase by the university.
Camtasia can be used to record your screen with narration and additional camera inputs.
Camera App
Most laptops and phones have a built-in camera and your computer may have a camera app for using with an external webcam. These solutions offer cheap, hassle-free methods of recording basic video.
This is type of recording is not possible with this method.
