Studying at HFU

Tools for video production (screencasts)

Recording tools and post-production programs

To create screencasts (recording of screen content), you need software for recording and, if necessary, for post-production.
Some software combines both options (e.g. Camtasia).

Below we list options for screencast recording - from Snagit (campus license for HFU employees except adjunct lecturers), Camtasia (fee-based), freeware such as OBS, Windows software such as PowerPoint and XBox GameBar to post-production software such as Shotcut.

Snagit (Screenshots and simple screencasts)

Recording: Record the desired screen content (e.g. presentation or website), including webcam if desired.

Post-production: simple editing is possible (but only audio and video tracks together).

For university members: As a member of HFU teaching staff, you can use Snagit as a campus license (send a ticket with the subject "Snagit license" to felix-support@hfu.eu). Adjunct lecturers are not eligible for a license.

Help

Camtasia (sophisticated screencast productions)

The "big sister" of Snagit. You cannot create screenshots with Camtasia, but you can create sophisticated screen recordings.

Recording: Record your webcam and your desired recording area. The size of the webcam recording can be positioned and adjusted as desired.

Post-production: Cut all recorded tracks separately as required. Use various effects for audio editing (e.g. noise reduction). Add transition effects or use animations for texts and much more.

Help

TechSmith offers a free trial version. For university members, the respective faculty is the point of contact for the procurement of the paid software. Orders can be placed via HIP (currently not available, please send a ticket to Email application is started:it-support(at)hfu.eu​​​​​​​).

OBS (Freeware for sophisticated screencast productions for Mac, Windows, Linux)

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is an open source software for video recording.

Recording: Create your scene or several scenes according to your needs. Arrange the required sources (audio, webcam, screen, text) as you wish. Switch from scene to scene with user-defined transitions as required.

Post-production: for example with Shotcut.

Help

PowerPoint

Recording: Record slides directly in PowerPoint.

  • Attention: The videos recorded with PowerPoint can be very large. If necessary, use Snagit for long videos. Alternatively, you can compress your video (to the External link opens in a new window:Compress your video HelpCard)
  • Note: We recommend recording the slides in a 16:9 format. You can set this under the "Draft" tab via "Slide size".

Post-production: possible to a certain extent, e.g. editing at the beginning and/or end of the video directly in PowerPoint. To do this, you must open PowerPoint and insert the exported video via the "Video" tab. You will then find the "Trim video" option in the "Playback" tab (top). You can use the "Playback" tab to set jump marks to structure the video. The new video can then be saved via "File --> Information --> Compress media".

Help

Xbox Gamebar (screencast with Windows 10)

The Xbox Game Bar is integrated on Windows 10 and is actually intended to be used to record videos and screenshots while playing PC games.

Recording: With Xbox Game Bar, you can record any application open on the desktop and record audio.
Caution: This produces large files. You should reduce the file size of your recordings before making them available (to Helpcard External link opens in a new window:Compress video with HandBrake).

Post-production: e.g. with Shotcut

Shotcut (free post-production for Mac/Windows/Linux)

Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor. With Shotcut you can cut your video and add numerous video and audio effects.

Your contact persons

Are you also active in teaching and would like support and exchange?

Please get in touch with our Learning Services team: Email application is started:learning-services(at)hfu.eu