ScreenCastle Records Your Screencast Without Software
If you need to create a simple screencast but don’t want the hassle of installing and configuring software, ScreenCastle gets the job done from any Java-enabled web browser.
ScreenCastle is a dead simple screencasting tool. Visit the website, click the big red button, and ScreenCastle will load a small Java control application—seen to the left here. At that point you specify if you want the whole screen to be recorded or a portion you select, as well as whether or not you want audio from your computer’s microphone to be included. Those are the only two settings you’ll be using, once you make your selection a black bar appears at the top of your screen with a record button on it and the instruction to touch your mouse cursor to the top of the screen when you are done recording. If you’re not recording the full screen, you’ll have a focus window with a stop recording button on it. Check out the screencast below to see ScreenCastle in action. Total time from loading the website to creating to the simple screencast to embedding the link here was barely over the length of the screencast itself:
There is no limit on the size or length of your recording, but keep in mind that the file will be uploaded from your computer when you’re done so lengthy sessions will take longer to upload. Each screencast is given a unique URL and when you’re done recording you’ll be given a list of formatted URLs you can use including a link to the Screencastle player, an HTML embed code, and a direct link to the file in case you want to download it it. There is no way to edit your screencast so you’ll have to live with mistakes or start over, a small trade off for the extreme simplicity of the service and free hosting of your screencasts. ScreenCastle is a free web-based application, a web browser with Java Script support is required. ScreenCastle [via Webware]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Uh, java is still software...
But a nice tool nonetheless!
@MrThunderfield: In such a case you could also argue your web browser is software, as is the shell you launched it with.
While I've never had a reason to do a screencast, this looks to be very easy, should I ever find a need. Great find!
Platypus Man
@Phoshi: But the shell and browser is already installed, the title states "without Software".
I personally don't think it matters at all, I'm just saying.
AtomFury
@AtomFury: As is java, if you've been anywhere near the part of the internet that's not youtube and message boards.
Woah, I love it. I can see this coming in handy.
NicolesBoots
Woah, I love it. I can see this coming in handy.
NicolesBoots
Works great for a program I didn't even need to install. Plus they'll host your screencast for you. Definitely worth the bookmark for later use.
@Phoshi: Pshhhh... Those parts of the internet are overrated anyways...
Good point though, I don't know why I'm continuing on about this...
AtomFury
Am I the only one that sees a dark side to this?
Angry Numismatist
ScreenToaster.com is a similar utility that works quite well.
I just tried ScreenCastle, and it froze trying to upload a 10 second clip. I'll be sticking with ScreenToaster.
@Angry Numismatist: No. No you're not. Should this tech get into the wrong hands it could be a huge security risk. Let's just hope that those on the dark side don't read LH.
That should help when I need to show a "pc-nub" friend how to do something! Good stuff!
themelispikos
Lightscreen Portable will work better for this (as you can carry it on your flash drive)
[portableapps.com]
It is more customizable and you don't have to install any software (just run app)
jaredpinnix
I haven't tried this, but after experiencing similar contenders before: the short-term convenience is outweighed by the longer-term usefulness of something like Jing Project ( [jingproject.com] ) when you discover what limitations these have, not just editing but the questionable reliability of future hosting/archiving. They don't let you download your stuff for keeps without resorting to a less-direct workaround like a Flash downloader, so you're basically locked into their system. (Jing can do both.)
In other words, good for a quickshot, but desktop screencast apps still overall have their online-only counterparts beat.
With that in mind, parallel to the proliferation of URL shorteners, I'm glad to see more choices in the field of video tutorial-making.
@jaredpinnix: Ah, but isn't an application software? And software needs to be downloaded and installed onto your flash drive.
Very nice. :D I might have to write about this one myself, actually. I dig the idea of being able to create such good looking screencasts without installing an additional app on my system.
@Torley: I disagree; the app doesn't necessarily have to be about short term convenience; if the app meets all of the needs that you have for it, there's absolutely no reason to go with a more robust app that's only robust in ways that you don't need or appreciate.
Jing is a great example. The app used to be really great, but recent versions nag you to death with ads, doesn't let you change default image types, and overall the app is much buggier and more resource intensive than it was before. I dropped it for PicPick, a much more lightweight app that does everything I need it to do.
@jaredpinnix: Lightscreen seems to be a screen capture tool, not a screen casting tool. Or am I wrong?
TheFu
@ccahill: I second that.
nbgangsta
@AtomFury: Nor I, let's stop before we go mad.
@ccahill: Same for me.
_Jonny
Previously mentioned ScreenToaster? http://lifehacker.com/5131845/screentoaster-records-screencasts-and-au...
ZolaBabawaba
Since when Java is not considered as a software??? ... "and ScreenCastle will load a small Java control application...'' Hehe. here it is - the software. Dont fool yourself, you cannot live without plain old software
ShrideviIxion
I think that it sounds good, but apparently there are issues for Ubuntu Linux users. I tried it but it tells me to use a java enabled browser. I use FF 3.0.8 and java is on. Better luck next time. lol. NOT cross platform?
DarianMonet
@Angry Numismatist: what? I am thinking this is great. I was going to record my logon to my bank and send to my dad...I mean...what could go wrong...?
GreshamBunus
Tried Screencastle and it never did finish the recording. I recorded just a few seconds and it gave me a "Please Wait" message. Anyone else have success with this?
CourtneyFaloogin
@Jason Fitzpatrick: I see you still haven't taken me up on consulting a grammar book about joining two perfectly good stand-alone sentences with a comma. In your screencast example, what on earth would possess you to put a comma between the sentences? "...after the recorder has launched. It makes it so easy ..." I guess it's just a bad habit of yours that would never dawn on me. And I can't help it -- I'm a teacher.
Oh yeah -- nothing personal. I'm on a mission from god.
@deanhatescoffee: Not too sure what you guys are implying, this sort of software has been around for quite some time.
MerlinRoger
@Angry Numismatist: Nope, my first thought was what if someone has spoofed a page and using this to record my onscreen actions.
MaribelNereus
What kind of filesize can we expect for a 10min capture without audio?