Camtasia versus Captivate

EDIT 5395ASSIGNMENT 3: SOFTWARE EVALUATIONBETSY HARKEYFEBRUARY 13, 2010

Camtasia Studio version 6

and

Adobe Captivate 4

SCREENCAST SOFTWARE Instructional goals for using this software

The increase of distance learning, including on line and ITV courses, necessitates the need to become creative and search for ways to provide the highest quality and most effective and efficient content possible. The ability for instructors to capture PC screens or PowerPoint presentations and produce videos can create endless possibilities to keep students engaged, establish resource libraries, provide tutorials, etc.

Use of software

Intended use for this software is vast. The objective is to recommend for purchase the product that best meets the needs of instructors, purchase a volume license, and install in computers in Faculty Innovation Centers. The Instructional Designer will be charged with providing staff development and follow up training for instructors. Those teaching on line and ITV courses will receive first priority with other instructors scheduled to participate in the second round of training.

CAMTASIA STUDIO VERSION 6

Type of License to be purchased

Educational pricing includes volume licensing option which can include one downloaded copy of software with permission to install on multiple workstations

Price/educational discount

Educational pricing includes volume pricing, i.e. 5-9 users is $179 each.

Maintenance agreement available at 25% of cost includes: free upgrades for one year and priority technical support

Software Category

Camtasia Studio version 6 is a screencast software which could also be categorized as presentation, multimedia, reference and authoring


Technical Requirements

The minimum system requirements are:Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Microsoft DirectX 9 or later version 1.0 GHz processor minimum ~ Recommended: 2.0 GHz (for PowerPoint and camera recordings.) 500 MB RAM minimum ~ Recommended: 2.0 GB 115 MB of hard-disk space for program installation

Optional system requirements include:Camtasia Studio Add-in for PowerPoint requires PowerPoint 2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007 Production to the Apple iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone format requires Apple QuickTime 7.2 or later Dedicated Windows-compatible sound card, microphone and speakers (recommended) Camera video recording requires a USB Camera. Digital video (DV) cameras are not supported.


Software Features Template

Claim Strongly Agree

Agree Disagree N/A

The directions are clear and easy to follow. X

It’s easy to start and exit the program. X

Users can easily resume where they left off in the program.

X

The program functions well and is free of bugs.

X

The program is enjoyable to use. X

The graphic elements are meaningful and appropriate.

X

Sound can be turned on and off. X

The software contains useful management features.

X

Basic tasks are easily learned and intuitive. X

Advanced features are easy to access and apply.

X

Menu-driven tutorials are built into the program.

X


Software features: Free 30 day trial that was quick and easy to install The trial functioned well. Simple to follow menu driven and one click instructions

in Learning Center that allows the user to record, edit, produce videos of their PC screen and share

For basic tasks and advanced features, step by step, easy to follow, instructional videos and PowerPoint presentations are available as a tutorial prior to starting and throughout the process

Version 6 has 5 production presets to simplify the web destination process with the smallest and best quality file possible: blog, web, YouTube, HD display and Screencast.com

Version 6 allows for simple to follow editing of audio and video tracks independently


Software features: Version 6 introduced seven “hot keys” to save time in

editing: current spot, transition, caption, zoom, marker, split and extend frame

Possible to use video from other sources. Tutorials are provided but will definitely need to be studied due to the random nature of video sources.

3 D tilt effect (how cool) and is an advanced feature that can be fun and intrigue students


Pros: Free 30 day trial which would allow a review committee

to test the product Tutorials and help (?) throughout the product which

should allow users to be relatively self sufficient Cost effective with volume pricing and licensing Allows for an efficient use of time and resources Screencast.com can save valuable server space (2 GB

storage for free) The technical requirements are doable for my setting in

higher education. Fun and visually appealing – it really is addictive

Cons: In spite of the numerous tutorials, the major con will be

the individual learning curve and time needed to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to produce a quality video.

ADOBE CAPTIVATE 4

Type of License to be purchased:

Volume licensing available for education – called a Transactional License Program

Price/educational discount:

Volume pricing based on points, one license $799, 9 licenses $791 per unit

Software Category:

could be categorized as presentation, simulation, multimedia, reference and authoring

ADOBE CAPTIVATE 4

Technical Requirements:

Minimum system requirements

Intel® Pentium® 4, Intel Centrino,® Intel Xeon,® or Intel Core™ Duo (or compatible) processor

Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended) or Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (certified for 32-bit Windows XP and Windows Vista)

512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)

1.5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (Adobe Captivate cannot be installed on flash-based storage devices)

800x600 screen resolution (1,024x768 recommended)

DVD-ROM drive

ADOBE CAPTIVATE 4

Software Features Template

Claim Strongly Agree

Agree Disagree N/A

The directions are clear and easy to follow. X

It’s easy to start and exit the program. X

Users can easily resume where they left off in the program.

X

The program functions well and is free of bugs.

X

The program is enjoyable to use. X

The graphic elements are meaningful and appropriate.

X

Sound can be turned on and off. X

The software contains useful management features.

X

Basic tasks are easily learned and intuitive. X

Advanced features are easy to access and apply.

X

Menu-driven tutorials are built into the program.

X

ADOBE CAPTIVATE 4

Software features: Free 30 day trial provided took several steps to install The trail was hard to follow. Menu driven instructions are detailed but not

extremely user friendly Numerous features with Captivate 4, some of which

includes: software demonstrations, quizzes, project templates, customized widgets and scenario simulations

Includes text to speech with just one click to do voice-over

Lists expanded output options, but difficult to determine in free trial.

ADOBE CAPTIVATE 4

Pros: Numerous features The 30 day trial would allow time for a review

committee Adobe is a recognized and respected company Almost unlimited potential The technical requirements are doable for my setting

in higher education.

Cons: Very high learning curve for a beginning user;

therefore, a considerable amount of devoted time is anticipated to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to produce a quality product.

Cost prohibitive Captivate is more than just a screencast software. It is

like Flash.

REVIEW

I have a few colleagues who are using an older version of Camtasia. They seem to be very pleased and the learning curve seems to be appropriate.

Jan Ozer in StreamingMedia.com (2006) states “if you’re creating a quick-and-dirty software demo, or a PowerPoint presentation to post to a Web site, Camtasia is a better tool. On the other hand, if you’re creating interactive demos or training, or a complex software demonstration, Captivate is superior.” Note, I believe 2006 is when the version of Camtasia that my colleagues are using was initially purchased.

Dream Web Designs post by Alan (1.11.2010) mentions higher learning curves for both products. He includes in the Captivate information that it is costly and not a true screencast.

RECOMMENDATION

It should be noted that in order to truly place myself in the users perspective, I chose a type of software to review that I have never used. My reasoning is that technology coordinators typically are challenged to find the time necessary to accomplish all tasks. Therefore, a screencast software that is as simple and user friendly as possible was a main consideration in this review.

I recommend the Camtasia Studio version 6 as the most appropriate software to meet my goals. It is simple to use, provides extensive tutorials for beginners and is cost effective. The Software Features Template Charts provide a visual comparison for each product. I personally installed and tried each free trial, the Camtasia was much more user friendly. Captivate is a great product; however, I feel that it costs more and provides more features than are necessary to meet the software goals.

Camtasia versus Captivate

Technology

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